Unstoppable Nicolas Kuhn battered RB Leipzig in a 3-1 Champions League glory night and then was the victim of a stinging critique in his homeland.
Leading outlet Bild openly felt the strain of the winger’s brilliance as they branded him a “German no-name”. It’s a crass take on a player who appears anything but. And the overwhelming verdict from those in his homeland is one of contempt in response. Those in the know reckon that won’t be a view shared with Julian Nagelsmann – the Germany manager who is understood to be a major admirer of the Celtic standout.
Kuhn, as the rest of the world knows, was unstoppable as he scored a brace to turn around Leipzig’s opener. Reo Hatate then got in on the party as Celtic moved to seven points and further strengthened their push to reach, at least, the playoffs of the revamped Champions League. Record Sportlooks at the best reaction from across the globe.
Bild (Germany)
“In Glasgow, Leipzig was embarrassed by a German no-name professional – who, of all people, was trained in RB’s youth team. Nicolas Kuhn ( 24 games between 2015 to 2018) decided the match with a brace. From the right side, the left-footer moves into the middle, shakes off RB defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu and flicks the ball from 18 meters into the far corner – the equaliser. Then Kuhn (four caps for the German U20s) turns up the heat and becomes man of the match. Seconds before half-time, he pushes a low cross into the goal.”
Marca (Spain)
“In 2018, Nicolas-Gerrit Künh had to pack his bags from the Red Bull Arena without even having the chance to make his debut with the first team. During these six years, in which he has travelled across half of Europe until landing in Glasgow, he has been cooking up a revenge that culminated in a double that propelled Celtic’s comeback (3-1)… and left Marco Rose’s men on the ropes.”
Tag 24 (Germany)
“RB Leipzig has forgotten how to play the Champions League – and Nicolas Kuhn of all people is the spoilsport. You couldn’t write it. It was already discussed beforehand: Nicolas Kuhn could become a bogeyman for the Saxons in Celtic Glasgow’s Champions League match against his former club RB Leipzig.
And yes, that is exactly what happened in the first half. In the 35th minute, the Rasenballer youth player hit the ball perfectly just outside the penalty area with a beautiful individual move, so that the ball flew unstoppably against the left post and from there into the net. After a pass from the left through the entire penalty area, Kuhn was in the right place again and even made it 2-1 from close range. Incredible.”
Sport 1 (Germany)
“Of all people, a former RB player really hurt Leipzig in the Champions League. In the first half of the duel with Celtic Glasgow, the Bundesliga club conceded two goals by Nicolas Kuhn. Ultimately, they lost 3-1. The 24-year-old Kuhn scored in the 35th and 45th minutes – his first goal in particular was extremely impressive. With his strong left foot, Kühn flicked the ball unstoppably onto the left inside post.”
Buli News (Germany)
“Nicolas Kühn, who used to play for Leipzig at youth level, came out of nowhere to level the scores. The German winger cut inside and curled home a superb equaliser. And Kühn wasn’t done yet as he added a second to ensure Celtic went into the break 2-1 up. Greg Taylor cut the ball across the face of the box, where it evaded Daizen Maeda and reached Kühn, who was home. Things went from bad to worse for Leipzig after the break as Celtic made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute through Reo Hatate. Just after Christoph Baumgartner had missed a glorious chance to add a second for the visitors, Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi spilled a low cross into the path of Hatate, who slotted home. Die Roten Bullen never recovered and remained without a point after four games in this year’s Champions League.”