Celtic fought hard but fell to a 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in their Champions League first-leg match at Parkhead.
The Scottish giants showed great resilience, with Daizen Maeda’s late goal giving them a lifeline ahead of the second leg in Munich next Tuesday.
Bayern’s Early Control
The game started with Celtic pushing forward, fueled by their passionate home crowd. They nearly took the lead in the first minute, but Bayern’s defense stood strong.
As expected, the German giants slowly took control of the game, dominating possession and looking for gaps in Celtic’s backline.
Celtic held firm for most of the first half, frustrating Bayern with disciplined defending. However, just before the break, Michael Olise broke the deadlock.
The former Crystal Palace winger smashed an unstoppable shot past Joe Hart, giving Bayern a crucial lead at halftime.
Kane Strikes Again
Four minutes into the second half, Bayern doubled their advantage. A lapse in Celtic’s concentration left England captain Harry Kane unmarked at the back post.
The striker calmly volleyed in his 29th goal of the season, putting Bayern in firm control.
Celtic’s hopes seemed to be fading fast, but they refused to give up. They pushed forward with more aggression, creating chances and putting Bayern’s defense under pressure. The crowd roared as they sensed a comeback.
Maeda’s Late Goal Sparks Hope
With 11 minutes left, Celtic finally found a breakthrough. A well-delivered corner found Daizen Maeda, who rose high to head the ball into the net.
The goal sent the crowd into a frenzy and gave Celtic a fighting chance for the second leg in Munich.
In the final minutes, Celtic pushed for an equalizer. Bayern’s defense looked shaky, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made crucial saves to secure the win for the visitors.
It was Celtic’s first home defeat since December 2023, ending their incredible 32-match unbeaten run at Parkhead.
Post-Match Reactions
Brendan Rodgers (Celtic Manager):
“The last 25 minutes showed what we are capable of. We pressed high, were aggressive, and created chances. We got the goal and put Bayern under pressure. At 2-1, they were hanging on. We are still in this tie.”
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich Striker):
“Celtic made it tough for us, especially towards the end. We scored at the right times, but we have to be better in the second leg. They gave us problems, but we stayed strong.”
Can Celtic Win in Munich?
Celtic have struggled away from home in Europe this season. They lost heavily to Borussia Dortmund, suffered defeats against Aston Villa, and could only manage draws against Dinamo Zagreb and Atalanta. Winning in Munich will be a huge challenge.
However, their spirited performance at home showed they can trouble Bayern. If they can tighten their defense and take their chances, an upset is possible. The second leg promises to be a thrilling battle.
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