Champions League Play-off: High Stakes for Celtic in Munich
The stage is set for a monumental clash as Celtic take on Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League play-off at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, 18 March. With kick-off at 20:00 GMT, the Scottish champions are eager to overturn the 2-1 deficit from the first leg and secure a place in the group stage. The match promises to be a test of character, resilience, and tactical ingenuity, with both teams keen to leave their mark on the European stage. Coverage will be available on Radio Scotland and Radio 5 Live, with text updates on the BBC Sport website and app, ensuring fans can follow the action from anywhere.
Rodgers Urges No Regrets
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, is determined to ensure his team leaves no stone unturned in their quest to advance. Despite the daunting challenge, he emphasizes the importance of a fearless approach and a commitment to playing their best football. "There’s no second chance," Rodgers affirmed. "We’ve got to be clever, bright, and brave. If we can do that, history has shown that in sport anything can happen." Rodgers is proud of his squad’s mental strength and professionalism, qualities that were on display in Glasgow when Daizen Maeda scored a crucial goal to reduce the deficit. "We’ve shown that when we play at our best, we can punish even the best teams," he added. Rodgers is aware of the uphill battle, but he is confident that if his players give their all, they can be proud of their efforts, regardless of the outcome.
Bayern’s Unblemished Home Record
Bayern Munich, six-time Champions League winners, are a formidable force at home. The German giants have not tasted defeat in their past 20 Champions League home matches, a record that underscores their dominance. They have a perfect record against Scottish opponents, having won all seven of their home meetings. Celtic, on the other hand, have yet to beat a German team on their turf, with 12 losses and only three draws in 15 attempts. The historical stats are heavily skewed in Bayern’s favor, but Rodgers and his team are not deterred. "Everyone will look at this game with us as underdogs," Rodgers acknowledged, "but we’re still very mindful to be super-competitive. If we can play to our level, we can make the game very difficult for Bayern."
Kane’s Fitness Doubt
Bayern Munich’s star striker, Harry Kane, took a knock to the face during Saturday’s goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen. The England captain has been a key player for the Bavarians, scoring 29 goals this season, including 15 in the Champions League. Head coach Vincent Kompany downplayed the injury, stating, "It’s nothing too serious, but we haven’t had much time to recover. We’ll assess his condition tomorrow morning, but I think it’s nothing too bad." The absence of Kane, who has been in scintillating form, would be a significant blow for Bayern. However, the team’s depth and the absence of fellow key players Joao Palhinha and Alphonso Davies mean that even without Kane, Bayern have the quality to progress. Kim Min-jae, who returned to action last weekend, is expected to be available, adding a crucial defensive presence.
Celtic’s Squad Readiness
Celtic, meanwhile, are in a more favorable position with a full squad at their disposal. Rodgers confirmed that Jota is fit enough to start, and the possibility of deploying Daizen Maeda in a central role is being considered. "We design a plan for the game, knowing whatever team starts will need players coming off the side," Rodgers explained. "It’s such a demanding level, physically." The manager’s flexibility in tactics and trust in his players are essential as they prepare to face one of Europe’s elite teams. Celtic’s strong finish in the first leg, where they showed resilience and quality, provides a glimmer of hope. If they can replicate that performance in Munich, they stand a chance of turning the tables.
Home Final Hopes Drive Bayern
Liam McLeod, BBC Sport Scotland’s match commentator, highlights the pressure on Bayern Munich to reach the final, given that it will be hosted in Munich. The team’s recent away form in the Champions League has been patchy, with only one win in their last seven trips. However, their home record is nothing short of spectacular, having not lost since April 2021. Kompany has faced some local criticism following the draw against Leverkusen, where his team was largely outplayed. Nevertheless, Bayern’s eight-point lead in the Bundesliga and their status as heavy favorites to secure a last 16 tie against Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid remain unchanged. Lifting the Champions League trophy for a seventh time in their home city would be a historic and emotionally significant achievement, and the team is acutely aware of this.
Match Stats and Historical Context
The numbers tell a compelling story. Bayern Munich have won their last five home European matches against Scottish opponents and have never lost at home against a Scottish team (W7 D3). Celtic’s record in Germany is grim, with 12 losses and only three draws in 15 attempts. Their most recent trip to Germany ended in a 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, a reminder of the task ahead. Celtic have been eliminated in their past nine major European knockout ties when they’ve lost the first leg, including seven instances when the first leg was lost at home. Bayern Munich, on the other hand, have progressed from their last 13 Champions League knockout ties after winning the first leg. The last time they were knocked out was in the 2010-11 season, when they lost 3-2 at home to Internazionale despite a 1-0 win away. Despite these daunting statistics, Celtic’s spirit and determination could make this a night to remember.
