One comeback down. Can there be another?

Congratulations to Celtic today, who came back from a 1-0 opening leg deficit to beat Dinamo Moscow, on the road 2-0, and move on to the Champions League Playoff Round. After last week’s series of debacles, it’s great to see the league’s coefficient picking up some points, as well as to see one of our biggest teams get the guarantee of group stage matches (CL or Europa League).

Our Europa League sides have a much steeper road. Motherwell are down 3-0 to Steaua Bucharest and on their way back to Excelsior Stadium, not even truly home. Last round, they were down a goal and came back huge, putting eight past Albanian side Flamurtari. But Flamurtari are not on the same planet as Steaua. Currently ranked 32nd in Europe by UEFA coefficient, they were UEFA Cup semifinalists four years ago and have a trophy case bursting with 23 league titles and 25 domestic cups, not to mention the 1986 European Cup. 3-0 is Everest. Not to say it can’t be done, just that it would be a moment for the Motherwell history books if it is.

Aberdeen, of course, has no such hopes. After dropping their home leg 5-1, they stand basically no chance of a comeback. No Scottish side has ever recovered from four down in Europe, and with the injuries plaguing the Dons, you can’t believe this is the one to do it.

I have a soft spot for both Motherwell and Aberdeen, especially now that my own favorite side isn’t competing with them in the top flight, but it’s hard to see the way back for either. On the bright side, in terms of league coefficient, Aberdeen might well win by one or two goals in the return leg. It will do them no good, but we’ll take the points.

Good luck to both sides. If you’re going down, go down swinging.

Category: Europe

Tags: Aberdeen, Celtic, Europa League, Europe, Motherwell, Preview

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