For 78 minutes, Bayern Munich performed like a team who were irritated at having to play an extra two games before taking a place in the Champions League’s last 16. The return leg next week looked little more than a box-ticking exercise.
What happened next was as curious as it was intriguing. Daizen Maeda’s header afforded Celtic hope to the extent that they actually finished as the stronger side. Bayern, once so vastly superior, started to rock. Vincent Kompany’s team will still be the heavy favourites to progress from this playoff but Celtic will believe they can cause a shock.
Written by Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/12/celtic-bayern-munich-champions-league-playoff-first-leg-match-report under the title “Maeda gives Celtic Champions League hope but Kane wins first leg for Bayern”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
