Key Takeaways:
- Stuttgart overpowered Celtic 4-1 in the opening leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout playoff tie on Thursday
- Bilal El Khannouss netted twice for Stuttgart, while Benjamin Nygren briefly levelled for the hosts
- Celtic have now failed to win in their last five Europa League knockout fixtures
Match Analysis
Martin O’Neill endured his first loss since resuming managerial duties at Celtic, as Stuttgart inflicted a heavy 4-1 defeat on the Scottish Premiership leaders at Celtic Park during the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff encounter. While the hosts made a sluggish start, it was a critical mistake from Kasper Schmeichel that handed the early initiative to Stuttgart just 15 minutes in. After a careless clearance, Deniz Undav flicked on for Bilal El Khannouss, whose rather soft attempt slipped under the Celtic keeper for the game’s opening goal.
COME OOOOOOOOOOON! 😍
4:1 in Glasgow – ihr seid so unfassbar, Männer!
Eine magische Europapokal-Nacht 🤍❤#VfB | #VfB1893 | #StuttgartInternational | #UEL | #CELVfB pic.twitter.com/JjO7xnTtGX— VfB Stuttgart 1893 (@VfB) February 19, 2026
Stuttgart responded in kind defensively only five minutes later. An errant ball across the edge of the visitors’ penalty box by captain Atakan Karazor was intercepted by Benjamin Nygren, who evaded Alexander Nübel and slotted home for a quickfire equaliser. However, Celtic’s parity was short-lived; El Khannouss was left completely unmarked to nod home his second after adjusting well to Angelo Stiller’s deflected cross before the half-hour mark.
First Half Opportunities and Defensive Lapses
Beyond Nygren’s goal, Celtic struggled to manufacture significant attacking moments in the opening 45 minutes, in contrast to their defensive vulnerabilities. Ermedin Demirovic nearly extended the visitors’ advantage, hooking Jamie Leweling’s flick towards goal only to be denied by Schmeichel. Meanwhile, Leweling himself fired narrowly over from a tight angle as Stuttgart continued to show attacking intent.
Second Half: Stuttgart Take Control
Celtic emerged from the interval with renewed energy, but were once again undone defensively before the hour. Jamie Leweling’s low strike found the net, with Schmeichel perhaps disappointed not to keep it out given his proximity to the effort. Stuttgart thought they had scored a fourth through Demirovic, elegantly dinking home after a combination with Undav, but the goal was chalked off for offside.
On the rare occasions the hosts threatened, Nübel was alert to keep Nygren at bay with a sharp save. Stuttgart, however, continued to look dangerous and nearly added to their tally through Tiago Tomas, who forced Schmeichel into a full-stretch stop. The Portuguese forward eventually secured the fourth goal, finishing neatly in stoppage time as much of Celtic Park had already emptied.
