By Graham Ruthven
A Bayern formality?
Celtic put up a combat, however Bayern Munich had been just too robust for the Scottish champions within the first leg of their Champions League final 24 tie. Certainly, a 2-1 win noticed the Bavarians take a giant step in direction of the subsequent spherical.
Harry Kane and Michael Olise each discovered the again of the online for Bayern at Celtic Park final week earlier than Daizen Maeda pulled one again for the hosts. The German giants can harm opponents in so many alternative methods such is their attacking expertise.
Brendan Rodgers arrange his Celtic group to be compact on the again and hit out on the counter-attack. Nonetheless, it was solely as soon as the Hoops pushed increased up the pitch that they had been capable of trigger Bayern Munich issues.
The chance of doing this on the Allianz Area, although, is that Bayern have the technical capacity to select off Celtic by enjoying by their press. Rodgers must strike a fragile stability together with his strategy for Celtic to face any probability of a optimistic outcome.
Key gamers
Olise was excellent within the first leg at Celtic Park, firing a end excessive into the roof of the online after reducing inside off the left aspect. The French worldwide has scored 5 instances within the Champions League this season and will add to his tally on Wednesday night time.
Kane, after all, is without doubt one of the most prolific goalscorers of his technology and can lead the road for Bayern Munich. Jamal Musiala will even be a big three throughout the attacking line, discovering area wherever it opens up.
Joshua Kimmich would be the principal pace-setter within the centre of the pitch. Vincent Kompany desires his Bayern Munich to manage possession. Celtic must keep affected person as they chase the ball.
Maeda precipitated Bayern Munich issues within the first leg, changing from shut vary with an opportunistic header to tug Celtic again into the tie. The Japanese ahead is a urgent machine and offers the Hoops an outlet together with his tempo.
Adam Idah will lead the road for Celtic with Rodgers anticipated to favour a midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels. They’ll have a troublesome time in opposition to a possession-hungry Bayern Munich outfit.
On the again, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kasper Schmeichel must discover their greatest kind to cease the Bayern assault from inflicting any additional harm.
Staff information
Alphonso Davies continues to be carrying a knock and so Raphaël Guerreiro is anticipated to maintain his beginning spot at left again for the match in opposition to Celtic. In the meantime, Kane missed coaching on Tuesday, suggesting he’s at the moment carrying one thing
Paulo Bernardo and James Forrest are nonetheless sidelined for Celtic by harm. In any other case, Rodgers has a completely match and obtainable squad to select from for the go to to the Allianz Area.
Prediction
On house floor, and after drawing a clean over the weekend, the normally high-scoring Bayern ought to get again to profitable methods: Bayern Munich 3-0 Celtic.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You possibly can observe each sport from the Champions League with FotMob this season — that includes deep stats protection, xG, participant scores, and a brand new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Obtain the free app right here.