By Graham Ruthven
A very long time coming
It’s been 12 years since Celtic Park final hosted a Champions League knockout tie. That in itself makes Wednesday’s match between the Scottish champions and Bayern Munich an historic one.
The German giants are agency favourites to win the tie over two legs. Nevertheless, Celtic may very well be set as much as give them a scare such is their risk in fast transition. Brendan Rodgers’ group may gain advantage from the tactical match-up.
Solely Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund scored extra targets than Bayern within the league part. They’ve the best Anticipated Objectives (22.5) within the competitors and have created probably the most Huge Possibilities (41).
If, nevertheless, Celtic can discover a approach to keep compact on the again, their pace in assault by the likes of Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kühn might give them risk on the counter-attack.
Celtic have already overwhelmed one Bundesliga group on this season’s Champions League, sweeping apart RB Leipzig in November. The Hoops might want to discover related efficiency ranges to get the higher of Bayern Munich.
Key gamers
Maeda’s tempo might be key to Celtic’s recreation plan in opposition to Bayern Munich with the Japanese ahead accessible to play on Wednesday after his suspension for a purple card in opposition to Younger Boys was downgraded to only one match from two.
Rodgers faces a choice between Kühn and Filipe Jota on the wing with Adam Idah anticipated to start out by the center having scored twice in Celtic’s final Champions League match in opposition to Aston Villa.
Defensively, Kasper Schmeichel will doubtless want to search out his greatest type to maintain out the formidable Bayern ahead line with Cameron Carter-Vickers additionally key to the Hoops’ defensive recreation plan.
Harry Kane will lead the road for the guests to the east finish of Glasgow. The England worldwide has notched six targets in seven Champions League video games this season and might be a risk contained in the penalty field.
Jamal Musiala might be a hazard in between the traces with Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise predicted to start out on the wings. Leroy Sané scored in opposition to Werder Bremen on Friday and will begin, however Vincent Kompany might also use him off the bench in opposition to drained legs.
Kim Min-Jae and Dayot Upamecano may have their fingers full in opposition to an lively Celtic assault. Contemplating their earlier struggles in opposition to opponents that play in fast transition, this may very well be a key battle.
Group information
The discount of Maeda’s suspension means he might be free to face Bayern Munich. James Forrest, nevertheless, will miss the match with a foot harm that may preserve him out till the top of the month. In any other case, Rodgers has a completely match squad to select from.
Alphonso Davies and João Palhinha might be assessed earlier than Wednesday’s match as each are carrying knocks. Davies’ absence would see Raphaël Guerreiro fill in at left again for the Bundesliga table-toppers.
Prediction
The Celtic Park devoted have waited a very long time for Champions League knockout soccer, they usually deserve a aim for his or her persistence. That being stated, they won’t get the consequence on the evening, however our prediction of a 2-1 away win for Bayern would no less than imply Celtic are nonetheless within the tie on the subject of subsequent week’s return leg.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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