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      Should Dream Team bosses be concerned about Manchester City’s creaking form?

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      HOW quickly things can change in the world of Dream Team.Prior to Gameweek 10, Manchester City were imperious Premier League leaders and undefeated in the Champions League.Suddenly, after consecutive defeats to Tottenham, Bournemouth and Sporting CP, they’re in crisis.Panic stations?Credit: Dream TeamPep Guardiola’s side aren’t truly in crisis of course; their 2-1 loss to the Cherries ended the fourth-longest unbeaten streak in Premier League history and the decorated tactician will still feel confident of a place in the Champions League knockout stage in the new year.But everything is relative to the standards expected of the club in question and the nature of City’s Gameweek 10 disappointments will have unnerved more than a few Dream Team managers.For starters, Erling Haaland (£8.9m) has been usurped at the top of the rankings by Mohamed Salah (£7.3m).The Norwegian No9’s tally of 150 points remains hugely impressive and he’s still comfortably the top goalscorer in all competitions (14) but gaffers who captained him in Gameweek 10 have been left unsatisfied.Haaland failed to convert any of his chances in Gameweek 10Credit: PAHaaland let fly with plenty of shots against Bournemouth and Sporting but failed to find the net with any of them, including a missed penalty in the Portuguese capital on Tuesday night.As a result, he notched just six points from the two outings while Liverpool’s Egyptian hero banked 22 points at the expense of Brighton and Bayer Leverkusen to claim top spot.Those who captained Salah over Haaland have benefited from a huge swing this week!Most read in FootballElsewhere, Gameweek 10 was also a nightmare for Rico Lewis (£4m).The talented teenager has been one of the best value-for-money assets in the game throughout the first quarter of the season but, with City having conceded six goals, he mustered just a single point across his two most recent outings.Dream Team’s new points leader!Credit: GettyLewis remains fourth in the defensive rankings on 86 points but it’s interesting that he’s currently among the five most transferred-out players ahead of Gameweek 11 – a significant chunk of gaffers have quickly lost faith.Josko Gvardiol (£4.8m) avoided a similarly damaging Gameweek as it was the Croatia left-back who scored City’s only goal at the Vitality Stadium.Generally speaking, it was a dismal Gameweek for the defending champions but Phil Foden (£6m) managed to earn 16 points amid the chaos via a goal and four bonus points – his resurgence is a minor point of optimism at least.Foden provided healthy returns despite Man City’s defeatsCredit: GettyDream Team bosses would be more inclined to remain loyal to their Man City assets if it wasn’t for a spate of troublesome injuries.Guardiola half-prepared fans for these results when he told reporters that he had just 13 players available after his side’s defeat to Spurs in the Carabao Cup in Gameweek 9.While that turned out to be an exaggeration, there’s no doubt the Citizens are feeling the impact of their absentees at present.It’s a well established trend by now that City’s results dip when Ballon d’Or winner Rodri (£4m) is unavailable.On the plus side, Kevin De Bruyne (£6.3m) managed six minutes at the end against the Portuguese champions and may therefore play a more prominent role at Brighton this Saturday.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWBut hopes of a clean sheet in Gameweek 11 appear relatively low after 19-year-old centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was given a baptism of fire by Sporting’s hat-trick hero Viktor Gyokeres.The Seagulls will be quietly confident of their chances on home soil having seen Guardiola’s men give up a string of big chances in recent outings.Guardiola rarely suffers three consecutive defeatsCredit: RexIt’s too soon to earnestly discuss whether Haaland still warrants a place in a competitive Dream Team XI as he took Sparta Prague and Southampton for a combined 31 points as recently as late October but another blank this weekend would set a cat among the pigeons.READ MORE SUN STORIESDream Team managers have rarely had to worry about the viability of Man City players in relation to the club’s form in recent years but three defeats on the spin has set tongues wagging.It will be interesting to see to what extent gaffers abandon the likes of Haaland, Lewis and Gvardiol during the international break if Gameweek 11 also ends badly.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      Man Utd fans cry ‘please, not you as well’ as Ruben Amorim copies Ten Hag’s worrying comments after Sporting beat City

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left worried after Ruben Amorim’s latest comments.The incoming Red Devils boss won his final home game in charge of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.Ruben Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon impressed in their 4-1 win over Manchester CityCredit: ReutersErik ten Hag often claimed that Manchester United could not play like his Ajax sideCredit: AlamyThe Portuguese side outclassed Manchester City in Lisbon as they romped to a 4-1 victory. A hat-trick from Viktor Gyokeres and a strike from Maximiliano Araujo saw the hosts bounce back from an early Phil Foden goal.The result buoyed Manchester United supporters who are increasingly excited over Amorim’s arrival.However, the manager warned fans not to expect the same style of football at Old Trafford.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe said: “What I can tell you is that this doesn’t mean anything in particular – don’t take anything from this.”We cannot transport one reality to another.”Manchester United cannot play the way we play, and we will have to adapt.”Amorim’s comments mirrored those of Erik ten Hag during his time in charge of the club.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Dutchman was hailed for his style while he was leading Ajax, which saw the club reach a Champions League semi-final.And fans flocked to social media to beg Amorim not to fall into the same trap as his predecessor.New Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim in awkward interview with reporter Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.One posted: “Bro no please not you as well.”A second wrote: “Erik said this and got cooked for it.”A third commented: “Oh no. Please don’t be like Erik.”A fourth said: “Jesus Christ not again.”A fifth declared: “Please not again… dealt with three years of Ten Hag ‘We cannot play this way’.”Another added: “That’s what Ten Hag said about Ajax.”In 2023, Ten Hag admitted that Man United would never play the same style as his Ajax side.He said: “Never. We will never play that football. Because those were different players.”This is also not why I came here. We are playing different football than I showed at Ajax because I have to, because I can’t play the same way.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe home crowd unveiled a banner to commemorate Amorim and the two league titles he won in Lisbon before kick-off.After the victory over City, Amorim was given a guard of honour by his players and staff.What Man Utd said on hiring EACH of their post-Fergie managersDavid Moyes”All the skills needed to build on United’s phenomenal legacy.”Louis van Gaal”One of the outstanding managers in the game today.”Jose Mourinho”Quite simply the best manager in the game today.”Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “A wealth of experience, with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.”Erik ten Hag”One of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe.”Ruben Amorim “One of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.” More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson turns up at Champions League clash despite supporting hosts’ fierce rivals

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON was spotted at Celtic Park on a Champions League night despite being a boyhood fan of Rangers.The legendary manager was snapped in the seats as Celtic pulled off a stunning victory over RB Leipzig.Sir Alex Ferguson was at Celtic Park to watch Celtic beat RB LeipzigCredit: Kenny RamsayCeltic pulled off a brilliant victory against their German rivalsCredit: GettyFerguson, 82, looked smiley as Brendan Rodger’s side pulled off a 3-1 victory over their German foes.The former Manchester United manager was a boyhood fan of Celtic’s fierce rivals, Rangers.He was even made the most expensive player in Scotland when the club signed him back in 1967.However, his time at the club was marred by sectarianism.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWhen asked if he had married his wife Cathy in a catholic church by a Rangers director, he said that it was a registry office instead.Ferguson has admitted that he is still annoyed about the moment and should have told the director to “bugger off”.While he is still fond of the Rangers, he only supports the club when they play against the Celtics.He told the Belfast Telegraph: “The only time I really support Rangers is when they play Celtic.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The big one. Jason [Ferguson’s son] is a Celtic fan. I love phoning him up when Rangers have beaten them.”Christoph Baumgartner had given Leipzig the lead at Celtic Park before the hosts fought back.Sir Alex Ferguson phoned and tried to convince me to join Man Utd – but their transfer plan made me say noWhat Man Utd said on hiring EACH of their post-Fergie managersDavid Moyes”All the skills needed to build on United’s phenomenal legacy.”Louis van Gaal”One of the outstanding managers in the game today.”Jose Mourinho”Quite simply the best manager in the game today.”Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “A wealth of experience, with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.”Erik ten Hag”One of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe.”Ruben Amorim “One of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.”Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn fired a brace in for Celtic before Reo Hatate netted the killer blow in the 72nd minute.Manager Rogders’ hailed the result as a “great night for the club”.He said:”The result, the performance, the energy in the stadium.”The supporters will go away feeling really good about their team.”But we played our way in to the game, showed a maturity to get the ball working again and then we get the goal.”Over the course of the game I thought we were really dominant, both in our pressing of the game and our hunger for the second goal.”We got that and then I thought in the second half we managed the game really well.”Meanwhile, Fergsuon has kept himself busy in retirement and has been attending plenty of football matches.READ MORE SUN STORIESJust last week he was spotted sitting next to former England cricketer Michael Vaughan during Man United’s Carabao Cup win over Leicester City.And on the weekend he was seen leaving Sir Jim Ratcliffe in hysterics at Old Trafford for the Premier League draw versus Chelsea.Sir Jim Ratcliffe encountered Ferguson at Old TraffordCredit: PA More

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      Man Utd post Ruben Amorim announcement after Sporting hammer Man City as Red Devils hailed for ‘incredible s***housery’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were hailed for “incredible s***housery” after a social media post following Manchester City’s Champions League defeat.The Citizens were humbled 4-1 in Portugal by Sporting Lisbon as Pep Guardiola was outdone by Ruben Amorim.Ruben Amorim will join Man United as manager later this monthCredit: EPAThe club reshared their announcement of Amorim after he beat Man CityThe Sporting boss will take charge of Man City’s cross-city rivals Man United on November 11.The Red Devils posted an announcement of the Portuguese coach on November 1 at 12pm.However, after Man City’s loss, the club’s social media account reposted the announcement to rub salt in the wounds of their rivals.This led to fans praising the club for its “s***housery” as they reacted.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSOne posted: “Excellent s***housery from the Man United admin.”A second commented: “The United account retweeting this back on the timeline LMAOOOO.”A third wrote: “Hahaha Man United reposted it after last night’s game.”A fourth said: “Give the admin a raise.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother added: “Just sensational s***housery from Manchester United right here haha.”The home crowd unveiled a banner to commemorate Amorim and the two league titles he won in Lisbon before kick-off.New Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim in awkward interview with reporter Phil Foden had given the visitors an early lead in the match before it all went wrong.Viktor Gyokeres fired in his first of the night to level the match in the 38th minute.Maximiliano Araujo then powered Sporting into the lead just 40 seconds after the halftime break.Gyokeres then netted penalties either side of an Erling Haaland failure from the spot to wrap up the result.After the result, Amorim was given a guard of honour by his players and staff.It was his last home game in charge of the club before he leaves for Manchester.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      Watch Luis Diaz’s cheeky no-look goal as Liverpool star bags sublime hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen

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      LUIS DIAZ completed his hat-trick with a cheeky no-look finish as Liverpool routed Bayer Leverkusen.Arne Slot’s men were frustrated for an hour by Reds old boy Xabi Alonso.Luis Diaz produced a cheeky no-look finishCredit: PADiaz, 27, celebrates completing his brilliant hat-trickCredit: GettyBut after Diaz broke the deadlock on 61 minutes, the floodgates opened.The Colombian, 27, grabbed his first with a sublime chipped finish.Cody Gakpo quickly doubled the Reds’ lead, before Diaz made it three in the 83rd minute.With the points safely secured, Diaz produced a brilliantly nonchalant finish in stoppage time.READ MORE LIVERPOOL NEWSAround eight yards out, the winger looked away from goal as he calmly slotted home a right-footed effort.His cheeky hat-trick goal delighted the Anfield crowd, as well as hordes of supporters online.One wrote: “No this is too cold. Diaz with a no look finish.”While a second gushed: “Luis Diaz really hit the no look to score his hat-trick.”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother added: “Luis Diaz carrying on the Firmino no look tradition.”Premier League leaders Liverpool climbed to the top of the Champions League league phase with their 4-0 win, making it a perfect four out of four in Europe this term.Steven Gerrard mercilessly BOOED by Al-Ettifaq fans after losing local derby with Liverpool legend on brink of sack More

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      Sporting wonderkid, 17, shows how Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revolution could work as Gyokeres hits hat-trick against City

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      RUBEN AMORIM gave Manchester United fans a tantalising glimpse into the future as his Sporting side thrashed City 4-1 in the Champions League.The occasion began in a raucous atmosphere, with Sporting fans waving goodbye to their beloved Man Utd-bound manager in what was his final home game in charge.Ruben Amorim gave Man Utd fans a thrilling glimpse into the futureCredit: ReutersViktor Gyokeres bagged his latest hat-trickCredit: AFPGeovany Quenda was brilliant down Sporting’s right flankCredit: GettyThe home faithful unfurled a huge banner reading “Obrigado” – Portuguese for “thank you” – ahead of kick-off.And after tonight’s performance, it’s easy to see how Amorim left such a mark.Sporting actually got off to a ropey start, with Phil Foden giving City a fourth-minute lead.The side Amorim has built in Lisbon is resilient, however, and after weathering City’s storm they came roaring back to win 4-1.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLViktor Gyokeres grabbed the headlines by scoring a stunning hat-trick – taking his season tally to an astonishing 23 goals in just 17 games.The Swede’s numbers would make United’s current forwards Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund blush.But how has Amorim given the former Brighton and Coventry star such a platform on which to shine?The 39-year-old has generally favoured a 3-4-3 formation with Sporting, although tonight’s average positions show that his system turned into more of a 3-5-2, or even 3-4-1-1 – with Francisco Trincao, formerly of Wolves and Barcelona, playing off Gyokeres.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHow Amorim will be able to introduce his three-at-the-back system into the Premier League will be fascinating.After Antonio Conte’s Chelsea won the Premier League in swashbuckling style using a back three in 2017, the system suddenly became all the rage.How Ruud van Nistelrooy’s ‘donut solution’ kicked off Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revolution earlyEven Arsene Wenger, after more than 20 years of deploying a back four at Arsenal, dabbled with it during his final season at the Emirates.These days, however, back threes have become more scarce.In fact, none of last season’s top 13 used it as their primary formation.Despite Sporting’s left wing-back Maxi Araujo grabbing a goal on the night, it was actually right wing-back Geovany Quenda who consistently got further forward.TEENAGE SENSATIONThe Guinea-Bissau-born wonderkid is just 17-years-old but has already made himself a regular in Sporting’s first team.As a left-footer playing on the right, Quenda cut inside to great effect as he created Sporting’s equaliser.His brilliant through-ball found Gyokeres who, having fluffed an earlier one-on-one, made no mistake when through on Ederson’s goal for a second time.This sort of chance was typical of the service Gyokeres received all night, with Sporting consistently forcing turnovers with their solid base.BUILDING A PLATFORMIrrespective of conceding a harsh penalty in the second-half, which Erling Haaland went on to miss anyway, 20-year-old centre-back Ousmane Diomande was impressive at the heart of Sporting’s defence.While midfielders Hidemasa Morita and Morten Hjulmand offered excellent protection and were rarely far from the scene when Sporting’s back line needed help.As soon as Sporting won the ball back, Gyokeres would be sent on his way.It was Araujo’s turn to cause havoc from the left wing-back position right at the start of the second period, the Uruguayan converting beyond Ederson after a brilliant run by Pedro Goncalves.Gyokeres then showed coolness to convert two penalties and complete his hat-trick.READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim will have another crack at Pep Guardiola in April, as United host City at Old Trafford in the Portuguese’s first Manchester derby.When he begins work at Carrington on Monday, United’s new boss will seek to begin developing a Red Devils team that can emulate what Sporting did to City tonight. More

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      Zinchenko reveals ‘s***’ Champions League final display left him in tears with Arsenal star not eating for two days

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      EVERY day at Arsenal training Oleksandr Zinchenko gets a reminder of the worst day of his career.It is the painful moment he feels a Champions League trophy slipped out of his hands — and the Ukrainian still blames himself for it.Manchester City’s final loss to Chelsealeft Oleksandr Zinchenko in tearsCredit: The SunZinchenko even lost his appetiteCredit: AFPHis Manchester City side lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the Covid-hit 2021 final in Porto and Zinchenko said: “No two ways about it. I was s**t.”The full-back claimed he was at fault for allowing “my man” Kai Havertz a critical run on goal as the forward scored the 42nd-minute winner at the Estadio do Dragao.He describes it as “probably the worst day in my football life” and says it left an “emotional scar” that has yet to heal.And his former City team-mate Fernandinho often joked he was denied the chance to get an arm tattoo of the big-eared pot because of Zinchenko.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSThe problem is, he cannot be allowed to move on and forget about it — because he and Havertz are now pals at the Gunners.Zinchenko, 27, said: “If I tell you now what I’m saying to him every day, you would laugh!“It’s better that I will be quiet. Because as soon as I see him . . . my scar. I feel him.“Jokes aside, I mean definitely, one of the most painful moments in my career so far. My wife Vlada, she remembers that day.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“The way that she is watching my games is something only the closest circle knows, how she is living these kinds of moments.“That night, when we came back to the hotel, our families were already in our rooms.Jamie Carragher SAVAGES Arsenal on Monday Night Football and says they’re ‘like a Mourinho team without the trophies’“When I opened my door she was waiting for me, she hugged me, we were just crying for a while.“For the next two days probably, I didn’t really eat. It was a super-tough moment.“But thank God I had this experience which made me, for sure, much stronger.“Also thank God that the week later we had training with the national team before the Euros. Football again saved my life. That is how it was.”One way Zinchenko got over his ordeal was a heart-to-heart chat with Andriy Shevchenko, the Ukraine boss at the time.He, of course, was part of AC Milan’s side that lost the 2005 Istanbul final to Liverpool on penalties despite being 3-0 up at half-time.Pep Guardiola’s City went on to become European champions in 2023, beating Inter Milan — also in Turkey’s Ataturk Stadium — to seal an incredible Treble- winning campaign.For the next two days probably, I didn’t really eat. It was a super-tough moment.Oleksandr Zinchenko on Champions League final defeatBut Zinchenko, a four-time Premier League champion with City, had moved to North London at the start of that season for an initial transfer fee of £30million.It was an attempt by boss Mikel Arteta to add experience and a winning mentality to his dressing room.And one way for Zinchenko to erase his memory of missing out would be to win the tournament with Arsenal — who have won two of their opening three games this campaign.Zinchenko, who hopes to play at Inter Milan in the Champions League tonight, reckons City’s dominance of English football must end soon.He said: “It’s not just in football, you cannot carry on like this forever.“For sure, there will be changes. Of course, the players will get old, the manager might look for another job. Something will happen.“The dominance which they have had during the last years is incredible.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The stats and also trophies talk for themselves. Being there, you straight away think of this winning mentality.” l  Believe: The Autobiography by Oleksandr Zinchenko is published by Bloomsbury. RRP £22Zinchenko in Arsenal trainingCredit: AFP More

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      Celtic 3 RB Leipzig 1: Kuhn the star of the show as Hoops blow Bundesliga side away in stunning Champions League triumph

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      RED Bull Leipzig gave him wings.Last night at Celtic Park they watched him soar.GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Credit: GettySoccer Football – Champions League – Celtic v RB Leipzig – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 5, 2024 Celtic’s Nicolas Gerrit Kuhn with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers after being substituted Action Images via Reuters/Lee SmithCredit: ReutersSoccer Football – Champions League – Celtic v RB Leipzig – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 5, 2024 Celtic’s Reo Hatate reacts REUTERS/Russell CheyneCredit: Reutersepa11703744 Leipzig’s head coach Marco Rose reacts during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Celtic FC and RasenBallsport Leipzig, in Glasgow, Britain, 05 November 2024. EPA/ROBERT PERRYCredit: EPANicolas Kuhn played for the Bundesliga’s Under-16’s side and showed signs of taking off.In this Champions League tie against them, he was flying.There will likely be some Academy coach at the German club telling how he once watched the Celtic star scored 18 goals in 22 youth team appearances.But they count for nothing compared to his double here and performance to go with them.Kuhn, at 24, is now the real deal as he produced on the big stage to be the catalyst for this sensational comeback victory.The German side took an early lead but after Kuhn’s double Reo Hatate sealed the three points.For Brendan Rodgers, it’s arguably his biggest European result in his two spells at the club given the standard of opposition.His side gave him everything he hoped for and more to respond to an early set-back. Most read in Champions LeagueCeltic had initial control of the game.Right up until they didn’t.Celtic fans left stunned by US TV star’s ‘incredible’ knowledge of club Rodgers’ side made such a promising start and were the dominant team for the first 20 minutes.The packed stadium brought the big match atmosphere and the early signs were the players would deliver the performance to go with it.But European outfits like Leipzig only need a sniff of a chance to pounce.And teams like Celtic cannot afford to make two mistakes in quick succession and expect to get away with it.That’s precisely what Rodgers warned in his pre-match press conference.He talked about how keeping possession of the ball was the best form of defence.So there was real frustration when Auston Trusty passed straight to a Leipzig player on 23 minutes.The centre-back had picked up an ankle knock earlier. But it was still slack play from the big defender when he was under no real pressure.The error led to a shot on target which was going wide.But Kasper Schmeichel threw out his right arm to turn the ball out for a corner.Rodgers turned away in annoyance, knowing it was needless.The first ball into the box was cleared by Arne Engels.But when it came back in a second time, Cameron Carter-Vickers could only flick the ball on and Leipzig scored through Christoph Baumgartner.The Bundesliga side started to look like a really, really good side and they could have doubled their lead.There was a panicky few minutes for Celtic, without doubt.Alistair Johnston was required to make a vital last ditch block in that worrying spell with Antonio Nusa blasting another chance high over the bar.Those were big moments.But just as Celtic had control of the game and lost it, so too did Leipzig.Rodgers’ side deserve huge credit for the way they composed themselves after that shaky five minutes.Skipper Callum McGregor led by example in the middle of the park with a proper captain’s performance.But the star of the show was wearing the number ten jersey.Kuhn is just playing with so much confidence right now that he doesn’t run around the pitch, he swaggers.It’s amazing to think he was so ordinary looking last season after he initially joined the club in January.But he’s settled now, alright. Kuhn made it 1-1 with a tremendous goal after 34 minutes.He struck the ball almost nonchalantly from outside the box to beat goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi with a sensational curling shot.Kuhn held his arms out, when the ball hit the net off the post, like it was nothing special. But that’s exactly what it was.Celtic could easily have settled for that before half-time.But with Leipzig rocking they grabbed the initiative, pushed forward and scored again seconds before the break.Hatate did brilliantly to feed the ball into the box from the left and this time Kuhn was in the right place at the right time to score again.The goal raised the roof but no-one inside the stadium believed there were no more goals to come.The match was still very much on a knife-edge going into the second half.Leipzig were always capable of getting the next goal and going on to get the much needed victory.While they turned up here with zero points from their first three European games this season, their defeats weren’t exactly against the minnows of the competition.In truth, while they lost to Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool, their performances deserved better.So Celtic had to beware.But when push came to shove, Rodgers’ side were in no mood to let this opportunity slip.They made it 3-1 in 72 minutes, Hatate reacting brilliantly to slam the ball into he roof of the net after the Leipzig keeper spilled a low cross from Johnston.Rodgers took off Kuhn at that point with the wide-man getting a standing ovation from the Celtic support.There was still some work to do in the closing stages.Play being held up as young Celtic supporter invaded the pitch was an unwelcome distraction for the players.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut the final whistle wasn’t long in coming with Rodgers and his team able to take the applause of the whole crowd who were thrilled with their performance.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More