Celtic Stunned by Braga Amidst VAR Controversy and Defensive Lapses

Celtic suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Sporting Braga in their latest European outing, a match marred by a controversial VAR decision and individual errors that ultimately cost the Scottish side dearly. A howler from goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and a deflected clearance compounded Celtic's woes, while a disallowed goal for Kelechi Iheanacho sparked outrage and ignited debate over the consistency of VAR application.

Contentious VAR Call Costs Celtic Momentum

The pivotal moment arrived early in the second half with Celtic trailing 1-0. Iheanacho, seemingly having equalised with a well-taken strike, saw his celebrations cut short after a lengthy VAR review. Referee Tobias Stieler, acting on the advice of VAR official Christian Dingert, ruled out the goal for a handball, despite replays suggesting the ball struck Iheanacho in the face. The decision left players, management, and fans bewildered.

"The ball didn't hit my hand, and that changed the game," a frustrated Iheanacho lamented after the match. The disallowed goal undeniably shifted the momentum, snuffing out Celtic's burgeoning resurgence and allowing Braga to regain control.

Schmeichel Error Proves Costly

Prior to the VAR controversy, Celtic were already facing an uphill battle thanks to a significant error from veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Ricardo Horta's long-range effort, while well-struck, should have been comfortably dealt with, but Schmeichel's misjudgment saw the ball squirm past him and into the net, giving Braga an early lead. The goal, coming against the run of play, injected confidence into the Portuguese side and placed Celtic under immediate pressure.

Former Scotland international James McFadden, speaking on BBC Sportsound, commented: "It was a poor Celtic performance overall, but Schmeichel will be hugely disappointed with that. It was a good strike, but he really should have done better."

Defensive Frailties Exposed

Beyond Schmeichel's error, Celtic's defensive vulnerabilities were further exposed in the second half. A miscued clearance from Dane Murray deflected off Braga's Gabri Martinez and into the net, doubling the visitors' advantage and effectively sealing the victory. The lack of cohesion and communication in the Celtic backline has been a recurring theme this season, and Braga ruthlessly exploited these weaknesses.

Rodgers' Tactical Tweaks Fail to Spark Revival

In an attempt to inject some life into his side, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers switched to a back three at half-time, introducing Marcelo Saracchi and shifting Daizen Maeda into a deeper role. While the tactical change initially provided some impetus, it ultimately failed to unlock Braga's defence or address the underlying issues plaguing Celtic's performance. The lack of creativity in midfield and Maeda being played out of position has added to Celtic's struggles.

Tactical analyst and former Premier League coach, Alan Irvine, offered his perspective: "Rodgers is clearly trying to find the right formula, but playing Maeda at wing-back is a compromise that sacrifices his attacking threat. Celtic need to find a way to get their key players in their best positions and create a more balanced team structure."

Drought Continues as Attacking Woes Persist

The defeat marked the fifth time in just 12 games this season that Celtic have failed to score, equaling the number of blanks they drew in the entirety of the previous campaign. This concerning trend highlights a significant lack of cutting edge in the final third and raises questions about the team's attacking strategy and personnel.

Pat Bonner, former Celtic goalkeeper, stated: "There wasn't enough intent for me. They were keeping the ball fine, moving it around, but not enough real intent in that final third. They weren't able to defend and Schmeichel made big, big mistakes."

Looking Ahead

Celtic now face an uphill battle to progress in the competition. Rodgers will need to address the defensive frailties, find a solution to the attacking drought, and hope for a more favourable rub of the green from VAR in future fixtures. The performance has added to the pressure on Rodgers, with fans questioning the team's progress since their Champions League exit.