Luis Palma’s Champions League exit hands Celtic play-off draw boost | OneFootball

Former Celtic winger Luis Palma suffered Champions League heartbreak as Lech Poznan crashed out in astonishing fashion on Wednesday night.

Luis Palma after the game at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Having taken a commanding 4-1 advantage back to Poland from the first leg against Danish champions Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), Lech looked to have one foot firmly in the next round after Palma provided an assist in last week’s victory.

Instead, the tie produced one of the competition’s most remarkable turnarounds.

AGF struck first through Tobias Bech after 33 minutes, although Lech still held a healthy aggregate lead at the interval.

The visitors continued their comeback after the break, converting a penalty before Frederik Tingager levelled the tie overall.

Palma had already been substituted by then, with the contest eventually heading into extra time.

Filip Jagiello briefly restored Lech’s aggregate advantage, but the hosts were unable to hold on as teenage substitute Tomas Kristjansson found the net to make it 5-5 across the two matches and force a penalty shootout, where AGF completed the dramatic comeback.

The result also had implications for Celtic ahead of Monday’s Champions League play-off draw.

Lech’s elimination elevates AEK Athens into the seeded section of the draw, meaning Martin O’Neill’s side can no longer be paired with the Greek champions.

With AEK now avoided, Celtic’s list of possible opponents has been finalised, with a reunion against Kairat Almaty among the most challenging ties the Scottish champions could receive.

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