Champions League X: Bayern Munich (A)

Champions League X
FC Bayern Munich (A)
~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~


Daizen Maeda scores in the first leg against Bayern Munich last week


Allianz Arena, Munich
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
20.00 GMT

Celtic are back in action tomorrow evening, when they walk out on the Alianz Arena pitch, the home of Bayern Munich, for the Champions League Play-off second leg.

Brendan Rodgers' side tuned up for this continental trip with a reasonably straight forward 3-0 win at home over Dundee United at the weekend, with the manager having rotated roughtly half of the team, no doubt with this return match against the German club in mind.

The Bhoys have a slender fighting chance of progressing to the Last 16, after Daizen Maeda's late goal halved the deficit, to trail 2-1 on aggregate going into this match.

History is undoubtedly against the Celts going into this however, as they have never previously defeated Bayern, never previously won on German soil in any UEFA competition and have not won away from home in the Champions League since 2017.

But while history may be against them, this is also an opportunity. An opportunity for Brendan Rodgers and this Celtic side to write their names, to make a mark and their own slice of history, should they be successful tomorrow.​

Arne Engels' set piece deliveries could be crucial for the Hoops chances in Munich

As for Vincent Kompany's side, they fought out a 0-0 'top of the table' clash on Saturday evening against current Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen, who probably were the better side on the balance of play.

However, considering the sizeable advantage in terms of being 8 points clear at the top with 12 games remaining, the draw undoubtedly works in the Munich club's favour.

It also underlines another side of the monumental task facing the Celts this week. Bayer Leverkusen are not only the only team to defeat Bayern Munich on their own patch this season (in the German Cup), Leverkusen are the only team to take so much as a single point away from the Allianz Arena in either the Bundesliga or Champions League games at home.

While there is clear progress that Celtic have made at this level this season, in both maturity, discipline and pragmatism. However, when everything is put into context, it really does underline how much Celtic will be going into this match as underdogs.

Callum McGregor's goal v United was the 72nd of his Celtic career - now level with Paul McStay

As the Allianz Arena is the venue where the Champions League Final is due to be hosted at the end of May, Victor Kompany's side will want to be there for that occasion - as every side in the competition wants to be, but being the host provides an extra special incentive.

While there is clear progress that Celtic have made at this level this season, in both maturity, discipline and pragmatism. However, when everything is put into context, it really does underline how much Celtic will be going into this match as underdogs.

But with this match due to be streamed live through Amazon Prime, it is very possible that this could be the biggest global audience to watch a Celtic game. And if ever there was a stage for this Celtic side to create a real piece of history, this is it!

Facts & Stats​

• The Hoops are seeking their first 'Away' win in the Champions League since 2017.

• Celtic are also seeking their first ever win on German soil in any UEFA competition.

• Bayern have been nearly perfect in converting first goal scored into wins across all competitions (W23 D1 L0).

• The hosts have only lost once at 'home' this season across all competitions, and have won all 4 previous Champions League matches held at the Allianz Arena.

Jota scored his second goal since his return in the 3-0 win v United at the weekend

Team News

Aside from the continued absence of James Forrest (foot) who has returned to training, the main injury concern is Paulo Bernardo, with the midfielder due to miss the next 5-6 weeks with an ankle problem, picked up during the Cup win v Raith Rovers.

Brendan Rodgers is expected to make a number of changes from the side that started against Dundee United at the weekend, with the likes of Nicholas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels and Greg Taylor likely to return for this match.​

As for the visitors, Daniel Peretz is expected to remain sidelined, while there remains a question concerning Joao Palhinha. The Portugal International recently returned from a torn muscle problem in January, only to have missed the last 3 games, leaving his status unclear.​

Referee: Benoît Bastien (FRA)

Aside from the more than 250 Ligue 1 games that the 41y.o. has taken charge of, Celtic have won all 3 previous occasions when they've crossed paths with the French official, including the Hoops' 3-1 success against RB Leipzig, back in November.

VAR: * Delajod (FRA)

Overall
M:3 W:3 D:0 L:0



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P:5 W:0 D:1 L:4

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
W L W W W ~ D W W W W​