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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. Next week’s return leg 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 team. 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. It was testament to the attitude of Celtic that they did not wilt against one of the favourites for the competition. Indeed, there was intelligence and bravery on show.
“I think it is a really good result,” said Kompany. “The fans here don’t see many losses so we can appreciate the importance of victory. We are at home now and we are also pretty decent at home.” Before that second leg, Bayern have an important Bundesliga game against Bayer Leverkusen.
Brendan Rodgers wants his players to leave Munich with “no regrets”. Celtic’s manager added: “We are still right in the tie.” That much is undeniable.
A series of strong home European performances – Celtic were unbeaten in six – had raised confidence levels before Bayern’s visit. Within 30 seconds, an already fevered atmosphere had been raised a further notch as Nicolas Kühn cut in from the left and unleashed a low shot past Manuel Neuer. The problem was, Adam Idah had moved into an offside position directly in front of Bayern’s veteran goalkeeper. The goal would not stand.
Bayern heeded the warning. They dominated possession for the remainder of the opening period, Leroy Sané proving a particular menace to the Celtic defence. Michael Olise was the first to properly test Kasper Schmeichel after a one-two with Harry Kane. Schmeichel subsequently dived to bat away a teasing Kane cross. In the stands, the vociferous Bayern contingent unveiled banners that appeared to take aim at their own club for not donning their traditional red and white strip. Bayern’s away colours were on display here. Uefa had apparently deemed the writing on Bayern’s home kit to be unreadable. Strange business.
Also peculiar was seeing Celtic restricted so heavily on their own pitch. Bayern’s passing, movement and physicality was a joy to behold at times. Not that they created loads by way of clear cut opportunity in the opening 45 minutes. Schmeichel saved excellently at point-blank range from Kane but there was an offside in the build-up. In organisational terms, Celtic had been excellent; it was just that crossing the halfway line was a novelty.
Kane should have sent Bayern in front three minutes before the break. Instead, the England captain headed into the side-netting from Olise’s corner. Just as Bayern’s lack of ruthlessness threatened to be costly, Olise opened the scoring in emphatic style. The 23-year-old lashed a terrific, left-footed shot from 16 yards high beyond the despairing Schmeichel right on half-time. Olise had earlier benefitted from the break of the ball on the angle of the penalty area. Bayern fully merited their lead.
Kane looked upset by his rare wastefulness. He was to atone for it, peeling away from the Celtic defence to meet an inswinging Joshua Kimmich corner. Kane’s volley hit the net as Schmeichel hit the turf. This was the striker’s 29th goal of the campaign. It was also his 19th against Schmeichel. With 40 minutes of the first leg still to play, the hosts had to somehow alter the sense that the tie was over.
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Officialdom almost gave Celtic a helping hand. There was no appeal for a foul on Arne Engels inside the Bayern penalty area and the assistant referee originally flagged for an offside. The VAR decided Jesús Gil Manzano should review the matter. After what felt an interminable delay, the Spanish official decided there was no cause to award a penalty. Replays did suggest Dayot Upamecano took ball before minimal contact with Engels. It was puzzling, in fact, that the VAR got involved at all.
Schmeichel produced a fine low block from the substitute Serge Gnabry as Bayern chased number three. Neuer’s failure to meet a back pass allowed Maeda an opportunity, which the Japanese forward flashed across goal.
Maeda made no mistake with his next chance, affording Celtic unlikely salvation in the process. An Engels corner was met by Auston Trusty and Yang Hyunjun before landing right on the head of Maeda. He converted from close range. This time, Celtic survived a VAR check for offside.
Alistair Johnston stung Neuer’s palms as seven minutes of stoppage time got underway. By the time that concluded, applause filled the air. Celtic had earned their ovation.
