Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich: Initial Observations and Reactions

Fulltime Observations

• It is finally time to accept that this is how Bayern will plan to win games under Vincent Kompany. Control possession with the high line, limit shots on goal (on both sides of the pitch), and expect to score with an individual effort or boneheaded defensive mistake from the opponent. The attacking system, or lack thereof, will yield very few scoring opportunities and Bayern’s attackers are too inefficient to consistently score in those scenarios. Ironically, this strategy has helped Real Madrid win six of the last 11 Champions League trophies.
• Celtic identified the space behind Raphaël Guerreiro as the primary attacking zone. Luckily, Dayot Upamecano was incredible in open space tonight. He looks more comfortable with Eric Dier next to him whereas the defense is more frantic with Kim Min-jae is playing opposite Upamecano.
• Jamal Musiala had a relatively quiet day. Bayern’s current wingers never seem to play at the same pace as Musiala, especially when he makes runs behind the back line. Bayern are already planning to overhaul the wing this offseason but will need to be very picky with the players to build around Musiala.
• At the end of the day, taking a one goal lead back to Germany will be an insurmountable obstacle for Celtic.

Champions League Scores

• Feyenoord 1-0 AC Milan
• Monaco 0-1 Benfica
• Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta

FT: Bayern wins!

79’: Goal, Celtic. Daizen Maida cleans up a messy corner kick.

78’: Substitution. Hiroki Itō replaces Raphaël Guerreiro.

77’: Substitution. Yang Hyun-Jun replaces Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn.

74’: Daizen Maida reads the pass back to Manuel Neuer, sneaks around Neuer, but is unable to finish. Another lucky break for Bayern.

65’: Substitutions. Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman replace Leroy Sané and Michael Olise. Jota and Jeffrey Schlupp replace Adam Idah and Greg Taylor.

57’: After a lengthy VAR check, Dayot Upamecano avoids a yellow card and penalty kick.

49’: GOOOAAALLL! Bayern up 2-0. Harry Kane is left unmarked on the back post and scores on an acrobatic volley.

46’: No lineup changes.

Halftime Observations

• It’s refreshing to see an opponent stick to its signature style against Bayern. Celtic came out flying and refused to collapse the entire team into its own box like so many other teams.
• Bayern’s counterattacks need to move the ball faster, especially Michael Olise. If Celtic plan to drive numbers forward, Bayern needs to punish them accordingly. This does not necessarily mean Bayern should only play vertically. Kasper Schmeichel is way too experienced to be beaten by direct attacks.
• In the same breath, Bayern’s attackers must be willing to take on defenders in 1v1 scenarios. Jamal Musiala seems to be the only player capable of this skill. Olise and Leroy Sané are unwilling to send in across or move the ball into forward positions. When these two wingers are running at the opponent, that is typically when good things happen for Bayern (see, 45th minute).
• In a world where commentators are roasted on a nightly basis and rarely celebrated, this group deserves special credit for matching the stadium’s energy...even if they are actively rooting for Celtic. This Celtic crowd is roaring at every tiny victory and fueling their players to keep fighting.

Champions League Scores

• Feyenoord 1-0 AC Milan
• Monaco 0-0 Benfica
• Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta (final)

HT: Bayern up 1-0.

45’: GOOOAAALLL! Bayern up 1-0. Michael Olise with an absolute rocket.

43’: Harry Kane misses on an open header, pounding the ball into the side net.

32’: After a hectic sequence, Harry Kane’s powerful header is denied by Kasper Schmeichel before being ruled offside.

1’: Celtic scores in the first minute but Bayern is bailed out by the offside flag. Lucky break for Bayern.

1’: LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Kim Min-jae will start on the bench to rest his nagging injury (Achilles tendon). Luckily, Eric Dier has played well in his limited minutes this season. Leon Goretzka earned the nod over Aleksandar Pavlović. Serge Gnabry is back with the team after last week’s illness, but Leroy Sané will join Michael Olise in the starting lineup.

In 12 of the last 13 campaigns, Bayern Munich has reached the Champions League quarterfinal stage. Even in the singular miss (2018/19), Bayern was knocked out by eventual champion, Liverpool. It’s safe to say that the odds are heavily in favor of Bayern besting Celtic over the two-leg knockout round but it hardly guarantees that Bayern will win Glasgow. Celtic are extremely capable of pulling off the upset in the first leg in Scotland.

Odds: Bayern (-250), Draw (+450), Celtic (+550), Over/Under 3.5 goals

Prediction: Bayern loses 2-1 (but wins the second leg to advance). The conditions for this match are not ideal for Bayern.

• On the road against a well coached squad backed by an energized fan base
• A potentially Bundesliga-clinching game on Saturday against Bayer Leverkusen.
• Kasper Schmeichel is the type of goalkeeper who has frustrated Bayern in the past.

With the prospects of fixing any misfortunes at the Allianz Arena next week, Bayern will keep it close but make some mental mistakes to squander the first leg. After conceding a counterattack goal in the first half, Jamal Musiala will score a magnificent goal to even the score. Celtic will score a late game winner off a set piece to take a lead to Germany next week.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland

Date: Wednesday, February 12th, 2025

Time: 8:00pm local time, 3:00pm EST

TV/streaming: Paramount Plus, Find Your Country

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