Celtic’s Champions League campaign ended in a heartbreaking way following that defeat to Bayern Munich, but there was still a lot to be proud of.
Brendan Rodgers promised better performances in Europe this season, and with the Champions League format revamped, it put extra pressure on everyone at the club to deliver that.
Yes, Celtic conceded seven to Borussia Dortmund and many feared the worst, but aside from that horror evening in Germany, everything else was improved and it was a key reason why the team reached the playoffs.
The round of 16 ties have already got underway and the first legs took place on Tuesday and Wednesday night, as Celtic fans would have been watching on thinking ‘what could have been’.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich were handed an all-German tie against Bayer Leverkusen, but they were sent an interesting message before they could lock horns at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich told they were ‘fortunate’ to beat Celtic in the Champions League
That Alphonso Davies equalising goal will still send flashbacks to the Celtic fans because, on the balance of play for that second leg, it wasn’t deserved.
Before Munich could kick-off against Leverkusen on Wednesday night, their passage into the last-16 was discussed on CBS Sports.
Host Kate Scott suggested that Kompany’s men were ‘fortunate’ to beat Celtic and Micah Richards agreed with that statement.
The former right-back added by stating that’s why they (as pundits) aren’t backing the German club to go much further in the competition, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (05/03/25 at 7:25 pm).
“You could possibly say that Bayern were a little bit fortunate to get past Celtic in the last round in the playoffs,” said host Kate Scott.
Richards responded: “Yes, exactly that. I think that’s what we based our brackets off (Bayern to get knocked out at the last 16 or Q/F stage) against that Celtic performance.
“But what Bayern do have is great individual players and I think the balance of the Leverkusen team fits a little bit better. I think Kompany is still trying to find a way as to what his best team is and how exactly they want to play.
“Saying all that, they are still top of the Bundesliga, so you have to give them respect for that. I think, in the Champions League, they need to step up. When you watch them, they always seem to be great players, not knowing what they need to know in the Champions League.”
Bayern Munich beat Bayer Leverkusen as Celtic showing proves to be more valuable
When Bayern beat Celtic in the first leg, many thought it was game over and the tie was done, even though just that one goal was in it.
The reason being is Bayern’s strong record at home in Europe – only Real Madrid (twice), PSG and Liverpool have beaten them in Bavaria during the last ten years, so history was against Celtic.
That’s why the performance from the champions of Scotland should be lauded and made even better by what happened to Leverkusen in the first leg.
Alonso’s side were comfortably beaten 3-0, with Harry Kane netting a brace and the away side only being able to muster one shot on target.
It further proves the job Celtic did and just how unfortunate they were.
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