Paulo Bernardo admits he was in shock during Celtic’s Dortmund destruction. But the Parkhead ace is adamant it’s fully out of the system going into Tuesday’s crunch against Atalanta.
Brendan Rodgers’ side head to Italy aiming to improve on their previous harrowing away-day experience. Celtic were thumped 7-1 by Borussia on a hurtful MatchDay Two. Bernardo admits he was left stunned on the pitch as the contest hurtled spectacularly out of his team’s reach. But the Portuguese believes it’s an education which can be put to good use against the reigning Europa League champions.
Bernardo said: “Dortmund were finalists of the Champions League last year and now we are aware of a big team like that this year, so we are more prepared for the next time For me, on the pitch it was a bit like a shock. It was a really difficult game, but as I said, it was a great team.
“It’s difficult when we lose 7-1, but it’s only a [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 for the next game.”
Bernardo insists Celtic quickly wiped the Dortmund pain away as he said: “The first hours are difficult because you only think about the game, but the game is a game.
“We had Ross County maybe three or four days after the game, so I think about that [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.”
Bernardo loves the challenge of squaring up to the elite and continued: “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.
“I think it’s everything. 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. Already for the next game, I think we can improve and I think we as a team learned about that game too.”
Atalanta have as much quality as Dortmund, but, as far as Bernardo is concerned, it’s good to be facing another big gun as he said: “Yes, it’s nice.”