Celtic will have to produce a performance of a lifetime if they are to remain in the Champions League this season.
Looking at the positives, there has been progression under Brendan Rodgers in Europe and it’s a nod to what is to come in the future.
But Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg puts the ball firmly in the opposition’s court, especially given how this heavyweight clash will now be played out in Bavaria.
Harry Kane proved to be the match-winner last time out and Vincent Kompany is blessed to have so much star quality to pick from.
One man who probably went under the radar in the first leg was star playmaker, Jamal Musiala, who has since signed a new deal for the German giants.
And he has reacted to Bayern’s preparations for the visit of Celtic.
READ MORE: Stiliyan Petrov wants Celtic ace to start in Munich even if Brendan Rodgers feels he ‘isn’t ready’
Bayern Munich boost Bundesliga title hopes ahead of Celtic game
Just like Celtic in the Premiership, Bayern have a healthy lead at the top of the Bundesliga table – eight points – and they should see the title from here.
Last season, for the first time in a decade, Xabi Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to their first German title in their history and ended Bayern’s dominance, so you can understand the pressure to win it back this season.
On Saturday evening, Kompany’s side took a step closer to that by recording a goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen at the Bay Arena, but the game didn’t pan out like Munich would have wanted.
Musiala claimed that ‘it wasn’t a normal game’ and how Bayern, uncharacteristically, had to do a lot of defending to do, as he told Bayern’s official website.
Perhaps that will be frustrating for Celtic fans to hear because, as they proved after Bayern went 2-0 up at Celtic Park, they were all over their opponents and they showcased their vulnerability at the back.
“It wasn’t a normal game,” admitted Musiala. “We didn’t have much pressure on the ball and didn’t have much possession.
“In the end, we got a point and still have an eight-point lead. That’s definitely a positive. Leverkusen were very aggressive, they really pushed. We just wanted to play our game.
“Our focus was on defending. Now we’ll see what we can do better – and then it’s onwards to Celtic on Tuesday.”
Brendan Rodgers’ big Celtic conundrum ahead of Munich trip
There are probably two big calls for Brendan Rodgers to make ahead of the trip to Munich – and it all stems from his left-hand side.
Does he pick the much-criticised Greg Taylor or the new boy Jeffrey Schlupp? The latter started Celtic’s win over Dundee United from the weekend.
And does Jota start on the left? If that’s the case, then it means Daizen Maeda down the middle, which a lot of people want.
It also needs to be remembered that Celtic can’t win the tie in the opening 20 minutes in Munich, but they can lose it by going a bit too gung-ho.
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