A Glimmer of Hope in Glasgow
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is optimistic about his team’s chances in the Champions League play-off second leg against Bayern Munich, despite a 2-1 defeat in the first leg at Celtic Park. The Scottish champions were on the brink of a 2-0 loss, which would have made their task in Bavaria next Tuesday seem insurmountable. However, Daizen Maeda’s late header has injected a ray of hope into the team’s prospects. "It was an interesting game," Carter-Vickers reflected, noting that Celtic managed to contain Bayern fairly well in the first half. "We were probably a bit too passive in some of our defensive moments and I thought we could have been a bit better on the ball," he admitted, highlighting areas where the team needs to improve.
Defensive Challenges and Growth
The American international acknowledged that Celtic’s defense was tested throughout the match, particularly in the second half when Bayern’s attacking prowess began to show. "We were a bit too passive in some of our defensive moments," he said, suggesting that the team needs to be more assertive and proactive in their defensive strategies. Despite the challenges, Carter-Vickers pointed out that the team grew into the game in the final 20-25 minutes. "We showed that we can hurt them and keep the ball at times," he noted, emphasizing the team’s ability to adapt and push back against one of Europe’s most formidable opponents.
Offensive Momentum
Carter-Vickers was particularly pleased with the team’s offensive performance in the latter stages of the match. "Later on in the game when we started to get our passing game together, we looked dangerous," he said. The late goal by Maeda not only reduced the deficit but also demonstrated Celtic’s potential to create scoring opportunities against a team of Bayern’s caliber. This offensive momentum is crucial as Celtic prepares to face the German giants in their home stadium, where the pressure will be even greater.
The Importance of Belief
For Carter-Vickers, the key to success in the second leg lies in maintaining the belief that Celtic can compete and even outperform Bayern. "As long as it’s one goal, it’s definitely game on," he stated, underscoring the significance of the 2-1 scoreline. The defender believes that the team must focus on keeping the scoreline close or even improving it for as long as possible. "For us, it’s probably about going over there and either trying to keep that scoreline or better it for as long as we can," he explained, adding that the team must be prepared to take the game to Bayern in the dying minutes.
Preparing for Munich
The journey to Munich is fraught with challenges, but Carter-Vickers is confident that Celtic has the qualities to make a strong showing. "We know we’ve got that side so it’s just about doing that on the ball, that belief that we can go and hurt them and create a chance before it goes," he said. The team will need to be disciplined and tactical, leveraging their strengths to counter Bayern’s dominance. The American defender emphasized the importance of maintaining possession and creating opportunities, which could be the difference in a high-stakes match.
A Collective Effort
Ultimately, Carter-Vickers believes that the team’s collective effort and resilience will be crucial in Munich. The late goal by Maeda was a testament to the team’s ability to stay focused and push for a result, even when the odds seemed against them. "By the end of it we were kind of on the front foot and looking pretty good," he said, expressing his confidence in the team’s potential to turn the tide in the second leg. As Celtic prepares for the daunting task ahead, the belief and determination displayed in the first leg will be their greatest assets.
