Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his Celtic team after a heartbreaking stoppage-time goal from Alphonso Davies denied them a chance to take their Champions League playoff against Bayern Munich into extra time. Despite exiting the competition with a 3-2 aggregate loss, the Scottish champions left a strong impression with their spirited performance at the Allianz Arena.
Celtic took the lead in the second leg through Nicolas Kühn’s 63rd-minute goal, putting them within touching distance of forcing an additional 30 minutes. Throughout the match, they unsettled their German opponents, creating several dangerous opportunities and defending resolutely when required. However, Davies’ late intervention ended their hopes, leaving their players devastated on the pitch.
Rodgers remained positive, emphasizing the progress his squad had made. “We have to remember this is Bayern Munich,” he said. “I thought we were outstanding in the game. We played without any fear. In the first half, we created really good chances, and in the second half, we had to defend a bit more, but we knew the game plan. It never looked like we would concede the goal that we did.”
Despite the painful ending, Rodgers took immense pride in his team’s efforts. “The guys gave everything. European credibility was always going to be important for us this season. We have learned some lessons and played some amazing football. This allows us to build. My unswerving plan is to make this a seasoned club at this level. We ran a team that will see themselves as potential finalists very, very close. What the players gave to the game will stay with them.”
One of the game’s key moments came shortly before Bayern’s decisive goal when Daizen Maeda appeared to be caught by the arm of Dayot Upamecano. Rodgers refrained from making too much of the incident, instead suggesting that Maeda showed “inexperience” by not staying down after the contact.
On the opposing side, Bayern’s head coach, Vincent Kompany, admitted his team had not been at their best, attributing their struggles to a demanding fixture schedule. “It doesn’t really matter how you get through,” he said. “I have to see this in context. We didn’t do that well in the first half, we were better in the second. My players gave me everything.”
One of the significant concerns for Bayern was the withdrawal of Harry Kane at halftime. Kompany revealed that the England captain had experienced a “sensation” during the first half, leading to the decision to substitute him. “I can’t say how long he is going to be out,” Kompany admitted. Kane will undergo further assessment by Bayern’s medical team to determine the extent of his issue.
While Bayern advanced, Celtic’s performance earned widespread respect, demonstrating their ability to compete with Europe’s elite. Their determined display, though ultimately unsuccessful, will serve as a foundation for their continued development on the continental stage.
