PAULO BERNARDO insists the lessons learned from the seven-goal destruction in Dortmund will make Celtic a better team.
Brendan Rodgers’ side were losing 5-1 at the interval in the Westfalenstadion with Borussia running amok and, aided by two penalty-kicks, terrorising Kasper Schmeichel.
It was a lopsided encounter from which only the Danish keeper could emerge with any credit as the players in front of him were posted AWOL while the Bundesliga outfit ramped up the pressure.
Bernardo toiled to stem the tide and was replaced at the interval by Reo Hatate as Rodgers attempted to bring stability to his shell-shocked outfit.
POSITIVE PAULO…Portuguese midfielder Bernardo is ready for the Atalanta challenge.
It was a sore one for all connected with the Parkhead club, but the Portuguese playmaker, who sealed a £3.5million move from Benfica in the summer after his initial impressive season-long loan spell, remains positive as the Hoops prepare for matchday three in the Champions League against Atalanta in Bergamo tomorrow night.
Celtic were taken apart in Germany by last season’s beaten finalists in European football’s elite competition and are now lobbed into a confrontation with the current Europa League holders in Italy.
It’s one helluva learning curve and Bernardo reflected on the Dortmund demolition and said: “For me, it was a bit like a shock. It was a really difficult game, but it was against a great team.
“It’s difficult when we lose 7-1, but it’s only one game and we learned about that and now we move on.
“We tried our best and our best wasn’t there, so we need to be better for the next time and be more prepared.”
The heavy loss brought pain and anguish to the players, but Bernardo, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “The first hours are difficult because you only think about the game.
FROM DORTMUND TO DINGWALL…Paulo Bernardo in action in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Ross County.
“We had Ross County five days later, so I think about Dortmund maybe the day after and then it’s all about Ross County and we move on.
“After we win, we have to move on, too, so it’s always like that.”
Looking forward to another intense challenge, the smooth operator added: “It’s a different level. I think we gain a lot with these games.
“It’s more difficult, so I think we learn about that and as many as we can play these games, I think we are a step closer to be a better team.
“It’s a different league, so we are playing against the best teams in the world, so it’s difficult, but I think we can do better.”
