Karim Adeyemi scores hat-trick as Borussia Dortmund beat Celtic | Champions League

The Champions League has a habit of inflicting these inglorious episodes on Celtic. It’s hard to escape the idea that this large fish simply can’t swim if removed from its small home pond. Borussia Dortmund played and teased their guests in a game that ended as a contest long before the half-time whistle. The Germans have won two out of two games in this new format after being barely tested over 180 minutes. They will have the ambition to build on last season’s memorable tournament series.

Suddenly there is pressure on Celtic’s upcoming trip to Atalanta. The poor performance they showed here undermined the widespread belief that Celtic were better equipped for the Champions League than at any point in recent seasons. It was a fragile representation riddled with errors.

The European Football Association benefited from this game before a ball was kicked. A fine will inevitably be handed out after the teams appeared in front of huge banners on the Yellow Wall branding UEFA a “mafia”. Beneath it was the slogan: “You don’t care about sport, all you care about is money.” Pyrotechnics from the Celtic support in the same spot will also trigger a sanction.

A crazy opening soon diverted attention from what was happening in the stands. Celtic did exactly what they were desperate to avoid by giving Dortmund the momentum, but then fought their way back into the game and conceded a second goal that was as defensively poor as the hosts’ first.

It was a touch of luck that Jamie Gittens won a penalty against a desperate Kasper Schmeichel. Gittens won the ball attack against Celtic captain Callum McGregor as he advanced from midfield. Nevertheless, the Dortmund player should have been stopped long before Schmeichel had to knock him over. Emre Can’s reunion with Brendan Rodgers, once his manager at Liverpool, was positive for the midfielder as he sent Schemeichel the wrong way from 12 yards.

Celtic’s response was as impressive as it was immediate. A wonderful cross from Arne Engels from the right left the Dortmund defense on the wrong foot. Daizen Maeda sneaked in, scored – via the belly – and caused wild scenes among the guests.

This joy was short-lived. The third goal in four minutes was scored by Karim Adeyemi, who outpaced Auston Trusty before firing a shot past Schmeichel using a deflection from the same defender. In the first half, Dortmund kept thwarting Celtic with astonishing ease. Looking at the Scottish champions against Europe’s elite, it felt eerily familiar.

Adeyemi, who played a central role in everything good about Dortmund, scored his team’s third goal. At this point Celtic were in a bind. Again there was generosity involved; the kind that usually goes unpunished in Scotland. Celtic only half cleared a corner, Adeyemi grabbed the loose ball. Schmeichel obviously wasn’t expecting a shot that flew past him from a tight angle at the near post.

Celtic had conceded four goals all season before this game. Another penalty gave the same score within 40 minutes. Men against Bhoys. Engels carelessly kicked Adeyemi in the foot, leaving the referee no choice but to intervene. Adeyemi mercifully passed up the chance for a hat-trick – he would have expected it anyway – and Serhou Guirassy did the honors this time.

It was five o’clock at break time. Adeyemi actually got the hat-trick his outstanding performance deserved with a low shot after Maeda won the ball cheaply. Dortmund had been ruthless. Celtic’s goal difference in their 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava was erased in a brutal half.

The heartbroken Adeyemi limped off the pitch three minutes after the restart. This was the biggest boost to Celtic’s night. Rodgers used the break to remove Greg Taylor and Paulo Bernardo, essentially dropouts who no outfield player could have complained about being replaced. Schmeichel redirected Julien Duranville’s shot around the post as Dortmund chased down their half-dozen. However, the intensity of Nuri Sahin’s team decreased significantly. The weekend duel with Union Berlin could play a big role for the coach.

Number six actually came. Alistair Johnston passed the ball straight to the opposition, which resulted in Guirassy taking on Liam Scales. The Celtic centre-back was confidently beaten before Guirassy wrong-footed Schmeichel. Celtic’s record European defeat, 7-0 at Camp Nou in 2016, was now part of the equation.

Another comedic defense brought Dortmund seventh place. This was actually the third time a Rodgers Celtic team had scored so many goals in Europe. How extremely annoying. Trusty, who was going through a difficult time, gave the ball away. Felix Nmecha returned it with interest. Schmeichel’s acrobatic effort was parried by Duranville and Dortmund’s 14th attempt hit the target. Their end is Celtic’s latest horror show.