Bayern Munich Head to Celtic Park for a Champions League Clash
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich is set to face a daunting challenge as they prepare to play their UEFA Champions League play-off match at Celtic Park in Glasgow. The atmosphere at the iconic stadium is known to be intense, and Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, is counting on the fervent home crowd to give his team a significant boost. Kompany, however, is not intimidated; instead, he is keen to embrace the emotion and the pressure.
Kompany’s Sentimental Return to Celtic Park
For Kompany, the return to Celtic Park is a special moment. "It’s stayed with me for this long," he said, reflecting on his previous visit. "I think City played here once when I was injured, but if I could have chosen to come back to one place as a player, it would have been here." Kompany’s first experience at Celtic Park was as a 17-year-old playing for Anderlecht, and he vividly remembers the unique atmosphere. "Special," he simply said. "The atmosphere, the psychology of the players that you’re playing against being very different from what they were away from home." This experience, he believes, provided a significant boost to his career, and he looks forward to reliving that intensity.
Bayern Munich’s Mixed European Form
Despite their commanding presence in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich has faced challenges in European competition. The Bavarians have only lost one match in the Bundesliga this season, but their European record is more varied. They have secured impressive wins, including a 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb, but also suffered heavy defeats against Barcelona and Feyenoord. Even a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa has raised some concerns. Kompany acknowledges these inconsistencies: "I think in the games where we did well we looked like the team we’ve been in the Bundesliga. And in the games where we lost, I think there were three different stories there." However, he remains optimistic, noting the team’s ability to bounce back from defeats.
The Importance of the Match
For Bayern Munich, this match is more than just a play-off; it’s a chance to make amends for last season’s trophy-less campaign, their first since 2011-12. "So in terms of the mindset of the team it’s good, but now we’re dealing with a two-legged game," Kompany emphasized. The manager is keen to ensure his team maintains a positive attitude and uses their recent form in the Bundesliga as a foundation for their European campaign.
Kompany’s Past Battles with Rodgers
Kompany’s familiarity with Rodgers goes back to his playing days, when the Northern Irishman managed Liverpool and Leicester City. "My very last game at the Etihad in the Premier League was against him. His teams press, they make you work to recover the ball," Kompany recalled. He praised Rodgers’s innovative tactics and the formidable lineup he once fielded with players like Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, and Raheem Sterling. While Kompany respects Rodgers’s abilities, he emphasizes that the match will ultimately come down to the players on the field: "He’s a manager with experience and still coaching a club that means a lot in the world. But ultimately I think he knows as much as I do that it’s the players who are going to face each other on the pitch."
The Streaming Destiny for Fans
For those eager to follow the action, TNT Sports will cover over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League during the 2024-25 season. In the UK, fans can enjoy all the action on discovery+, which offers a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport, and a range of entertainment. This comprehensive coverage ensures that no fan will miss a moment of the high-stakes football action, including the crucial clash between Bayern Munich and Celtic.
