Celtic vs Bayern Munich

Celtic are set to play their first Champions League knockout match in 12 years when they host German powerhouse Bayern Munich at Celtic Park on Wednesday night. This marks a monumental occasion for the Scottish club, which has fought hard to reclaim a place among Europe's elite. The recently introduced league phase format of the competition has proven to be a blessing for Celtic, allowing them to progress beyond the group stages, but the same cannot be said for Bayern, who now face an unfamiliar predicament. The German giants are at risk of failing to reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time in over two decades, an outcome that would be regarded as a disaster for a club of their stature.

Bayern Munich’s campaign has been far from ideal, with uncharacteristic struggles that have put them on the brink of unwanted history. Despite being a club synonymous with European success, they have endured an unconvincing start to their Champions League journey this season. Vincent Kompany’s men have suffered three defeats in away fixtures in this competition, an unusual and alarming statistic for a team that is traditionally dominant. Should they fall to defeat in Glasgow, it would mark the first time Bayern have lost four away matches in a single European campaign, adding an unwelcome chapter to their illustrious history.

Bayern’s struggles away from home have been evident from the outset. A narrow loss to Aston Villa was followed by humbling defeats at the hands of Barcelona and Feyenoord, ultimately costing them a top-eight finish and automatic qualification to the last 16. Despite their formidable home record, those away losses have significantly impacted their chances of progression. This is a stark contrast to Bayern’s usual consistency in the tournament, having reached the last 16 in every season for the past 16 years. Their last failure to do so was in the 2002-03 season, when they were eliminated at the group stage in a section that featured AC Milan, Deportivo La Coruña, and Lens. Since then, the club has been an almost permanent fixture in the knockout rounds, making this season’s struggles all the more surprising.

Despite their defensive frailties, Bayern have been clinical in attack. They have netted 20 goals in their eight league phase matches, proving their prowess in the final third. However, defensive issues have plagued their performances, with only two clean sheets recorded in the competition so far. Conceding goals against Dinamo Zagreb and Slovan Bratislava at home only further highlights their vulnerabilities at the back. A shaky defensive display was almost their undoing in a domestic encounter against Holstein Kiel, where they conceded three late goals in a 4-3 victory. However, they did manage to steady the ship with a commanding 3-0 win over Werder Bremen, extending their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to eight points. Nevertheless, questions remain over their defensive solidity heading into this crucial European fixture.

Bayern’s track record against Scottish opposition should give them confidence, having remained unbeaten in their last 13 encounters since their last defeat in 1989 to Hearts in the UEFA Cup. Among those matches, four have been against Celtic, with Bayern emerging victorious on three occasions. Their most recent meetings came in the group stage of the 2017-18 season, where they secured a home-and-away double over the Glasgow side. However, Celtic did manage to hold them to a goalless draw at Celtic Park back in 2003, demonstrating that they are capable of making life difficult for the Bavarians on home soil.

A 0-0 draw would undoubtedly be seen as a respectable result for Celtic, but it may not be enough to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Given the challenge of facing Bayern in the return leg at the Allianz Arena, Celtic will likely need a positive result at home to boost their chances of advancing. A defeat or even a goalless draw could leave them in a difficult position, requiring an improbable victory in Germany to progress to the quarter-finals.

For Celtic, history is not on their side in this fixture. They have never beaten Bayern Munich, and their record against former Champions League winners is equally bleak, with just one win in 21 attempts. However, they did break a long-standing curse against German clubs earlier in the competition, securing a memorable 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig at Celtic Park. That result should serve as a source of inspiration as they prepare for one of their toughest challenges yet.

If Celtic are to progress beyond this stage, they will need to rewrite history once again. The Hoops have previously suffered elimination in all three of their previous Champions League knockout ties. Their last appearance in the last 16 came in 2013, when they suffered a crushing 5-0 aggregate defeat to Juventus. Prior to that, their back-to-back appearances in 2007 and 2008 saw them eliminated by European powerhouses AC Milan and Barcelona, respectively. This time, another formidable opponent stands in their way, but Celtic will be determined to defy the odds.

Recent performances in domestic competition have given Celtic fans reason to be optimistic. They have registered emphatic victories over Dundee and Raith Rovers, winning 6-0 and 5-0, respectively, showcasing their attacking capabilities. Their form at Celtic Park has also been impressive, as they remain unbeaten at home in European competition this season. Their triumph over Leipzig was part of a strong home record, where they amassed 10 points from four matches in the league phase. That kind of form will be crucial if they are to stand any chance of securing a result against Bayern.

Celtic will likely take inspiration from their historic victory over Barcelona in the Champions League in 2012, a match that remains one of the club’s greatest European nights. On that occasion, they stunned the Spanish giants with a heroic defensive display and clinical finishing, emerging with a famous 2-1 win. A similar level of discipline and determination will be required against Bayern if they are to keep their hopes alive heading into the second leg.

The task ahead is undoubtedly daunting. Bayern Munich remain one of Europe’s most feared teams, despite their inconsistencies this season. They boast an attacking lineup filled with world-class talent, capable of punishing even the slightest defensive lapses. However, Celtic will relish the challenge and will hope that the electric atmosphere at Celtic Park can spur them on to another memorable European performance.

Ultimately, Celtic’s return to the Champions League knockout stages is a momentous occasion for the club and its supporters. While they are clear underdogs against Bayern, their resilience, home advantage, and recent performances provide a glimmer of hope. If they can harness the same spirit that saw them defeat RB Leipzig and take inspiration from past European triumphs, they may just have a fighting chance of pulling off a shock result and keeping their dreams of Champions League progression alive.