Bayern Munich survive Celtic scare in Champions League first-leg

Bayern Munich scored either side of halftime through Michael Olise and Harry Kane but had to endure late pressure from hosts Celtic before securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory in their Champions League playoff first leg on Wednesday. The German giants will head into the second leg with a narrow advantage but will be well aware of the threat posed by a determined Celtic side that showed great resilience in the latter stages of the game.

Olise's stunning shot in the 45th minute put Bayern in front just as it seemed the first half would end goalless. The attacking midfielder controlled a deep cross from Dayot Upamecano, swiftly cut inside, and unleashed a powerful curling shot that nestled into the top corner, leaving Celtic’s goalkeeper, Joe Hart, with no chance. The timing of the goal proved crucial, deflating the home side just before the interval and giving Bayern the confidence to assert themselves early in the second half.

The visitors doubled their advantage barely four minutes after the restart when Kane found himself completely unmarked at the far post. Joshua Kimmich delivered a precise corner, and the England captain made no mistake, firing a first-time volley past Hart to silence the passionate Celtic Park crowd. The goal was not only significant in the context of the match but also in Kane's personal milestone, as it made him the first English player to score 60 goals in UEFA club competitions. His ability to be at the right place at the right time yet again highlighted why he remains one of the deadliest strikers in European football.

Celtic, however, had no intention of rolling over and nearly responded immediately. The Scottish champions had shown glimpses of attacking intent earlier in the game, having found the net in the very first minute through Nicolas Kuehn, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. As the second half progressed, they began to exert more pressure on the Bayern defense, seeking a breakthrough. The hosts believed they had a strong case for a penalty in the 57th minute when Arne Engels appeared to be tripped inside the box by Upamecano. A lengthy VAR review ensued, but much to the dismay of the Celtic fans, the referee decided against awarding a spot-kick, leaving the home side frustrated.

The momentum continued to swing in Celtic’s favor as they relentlessly pushed forward, searching for a goal that would keep their hopes alive ahead of the second leg. Their persistence paid off in the 79th minute when Daizen Maeda finally found the back of the net. The Japanese forward capitalized on a loose ball inside the box and nodded home from close range, reducing the deficit and reigniting the belief among the home supporters. It was a deserved goal for the hosts, who had tested Bayern's defensive organization throughout the second half.

As Celtic gained confidence, the final ten minutes saw them lay siege to Bayern’s goal. The Scottish side had another golden opportunity in the 74th minute when Neuer misjudged a cross, allowing Maeda to pounce. His shot, however, rolled agonizingly parallel to the empty goal before being cleared by the Bayern defense. The pressure mounted, and Celtic’s attacking intensity forced Bayern to defend deeper, relying on their experienced backline and the goalkeeping prowess of Neuer to see them through.

Bayern’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, acknowledged the challenge his team faced, stating, "We started well, controlled possession, and took our chances at the right moments, but credit to Celtic, they made things very difficult for us in the closing stages. We need to be more composed in the second leg and ensure we finish our chances more clinically."

Meanwhile, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers took heart from his team’s spirited display. "The last 25 minutes, we started to press the game, we were more active at the top end of the pitch, and you see what it brought - aggression," he said. "At 2-1, Bayern Munich were hanging on. That’s what we can take from it. We’ve got one more shot."

The visitors, bidding to reach this year’s final, which will be held at their home ground, Allianz Arena in Munich, dominated possession for most of the match, boasting close to 70% control in the first half. Despite their superior ball retention, they found it difficult to break down a well-drilled Celtic defense, which remained compact and disciplined throughout. Bayern’s attacking movement was fluid, but the final pass often eluded them, with Leroy Sané and Jamal Musiala finding limited space to operate in the attacking third.

Celtic, on the other hand, relied on quick transitions and counterattacks, looking to exploit Bayern’s high defensive line. Their game plan nearly paid off several times, particularly in the latter stages when their high pressing forced errors from Bayern’s defenders. The hosts will take encouragement from their performance and will aim to capitalize on any weaknesses in the return leg.

The second leg in Munich promises to be an electrifying contest, with both teams knowing that a place in the round of 16 is at stake. Bayern will enter as favorites, given their home advantage and overall squad quality, but Celtic have shown that they are more than capable of causing an upset. If they can replicate their second-half intensity and tighten up defensively, they could pose a significant threat to Bayern’s European ambitions.

For Bayern, the key focus will be on maintaining composure and ensuring they do not allow Celtic to dictate the tempo of the game. With Kane leading the line and Olise proving to be an attacking menace, the Bavarians will fancy their chances of finishing the job at home. However, they must be wary of complacency, as Celtic have demonstrated they can capitalize on any defensive lapses.

As the two teams prepare for the decisive encounter, one thing is certain – the battle is far from over. Celtic will arrive in Munich with nothing to lose and everything to fight for, while Bayern will look to leverage their home support and experience to secure progression. With the stage set for a thrilling contest, football fans can expect another gripping night of Champions League action next week.