Celtic are gearing up for the second leg of their Champions League playoff against Bayern Munich with a sense of determination, despite facing a one-goal deficit from the first leg. Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, has urged his players to embrace the challenge without fear, emphasizing the importance of playing with bravery and giving their all on the pitch.
The Celtic squad has been buoyed by the possibility of Bayern Munich being without their star forward, Harry Kane, who missed training on Monday due to a facial injury sustained during Bayern’s draw with Bayer Leverkusen over the weekend. Bayern’s manager, Vincent Kompany, downplayed the severity of Kane’s injury, describing it as “nothing bad” and expressing confidence that the England captain would be ready for the match. Kompany, however, acknowledged that Kane’s status would not be confirmed until Tuesday, with the decision likely influenced by Bayern’s need for his presence to secure their place in the Champions League knockout rounds.
Despite the uncertainty around Kane’s availability, Celtic are preparing for the possibility that he will play. Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who has faced Kane numerous times in the past, expressed his expectation that Kane would feature in the game. Similarly, Rodgers remained resolute, stating that whether or not Kane plays does not change Celtic’s objective: they must aim to win the game. Even if Kane is absent, Rodgers noted that Bayern Munich has a wealth of world-class players who could step into his shoes.
Rodgers, while acknowledging Bayern’s superiority, emphasized that Celtic’s progress in the Champions League should not be underestimated. The manager has urged his players to take the field in Munich with confidence and no fear of the occasion. For Rodgers, regardless of the result, this European campaign represents significant growth for Celtic, and he is determined that his team leaves everything on the pitch.
The Celtic manager’s message is clear: play with courage and conviction. He reminded his players that there are worse things in life than losing a football match, and they must focus on giving their best effort. Rodgers has called on his team to be clever, bright, and brave as they face Bayern, knowing that anything is possible in sport, as history has shown time and again.
One of the key tactical decisions facing Rodgers is in the attack. Daizen Maeda’s performance in a central role during the latter stages of the first leg could see him start in that position for the return leg, with Adam Idah potentially being left out of the starting lineup. Jota is expected to remain on the left wing, with Maeda providing an added dynamic in the center. Alternatively, Rodgers may opt to retain Idah and move Maeda to the left-wing position, providing a more conventional attacking setup.
Whatever the lineup, Rodgers and his players know the challenge they face in Munich is formidable. Bayern Munich are one of Europe’s most dominant clubs, and while Celtic may be the underdogs in this tie, they have shown resilience and quality throughout the campaign. With a clear focus on playing without fear and pushing for a memorable result, Celtic will hope to defy the odds and progress to the next stage of the Champions League.
