It’s time for Celtic to create history against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Nobody is underestimating the challenge on hand because it is enormous and it’s going to be a serious test of this team’s strength, quality and mentality.
From who Brendan Rodgers selects in his starting XI to how Celtic approach the match, all of this will be crucial to trying to down a Vincent Kompany side on a high.
Bayern Munich beat Celtic 2-1 in the first leg last Wednesday night and then proceeded to record a goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend.
That latter result is significant because it now puts Bayern in the driving seat to win the Bundesliga title – they are eight points clear of Leverkusen – and perhaps allows them to breathe easier in Europe.
Of course, that doesn’t bode well for Celtic, but in order to become the best, you have to beat the best and Bayern are certainly one of the top sides in Europe.
Troy Deeney and Jeff Stelling rate Celtic’s chances against Bayern Munich
Daizen Maeda’s late goal has made this playoff tie very interesting and Troy Deeney has given Celtic a ‘puncher’s chance’, as a result of that.
Jeff Stelling made it clear that ‘we wish them well’ and if the champions of Scotland can do the unthinkable, then this result will ‘go down in folklore’.
However, Deeney did express worry at Bayern scoring first and how they could ‘score five, six or seven’ if that happens, as he told talkSPORT.
“A win in Germany, that would go down in folklore, wouldn’t it,” said Stelling. “Troy, can you give them any chance?”
Deeney responded: “You have to give them a puncher’s chance. The problem is that when you are going to play Bayern Munich. I don’t think this is the best Bayern Munich team, with Vincent Kompany, the way that they play and it’s very expansive.
“If they score first Bayern Munich, I just think they could score five, six or seven. I really do. At Celtic Park, with the crowd, and the atmosphere, you can be a little bit more until the end. But you can go the other way very, very quickly when you are out in Germany.”
Stelling added: “I mean, Maeda’s late goal gave them a squeak of a chance. I don’t want to rub it in, as far as Celtic are concerned, but Bayern scored 27 in their last seven home games.
“And, in the last decade, in Europe, only Real Madrid, on two occasions, Liverpool and PSG have won at the Allianz Arena. That’s the sort of size of the task facing Celtic. But, hey, we wish them well. What a story that would be.”
Celtic return to Germany after Borussia Dortmund hammering
Whatever happens after the full-time whistle at the Allianz Arena, Celtic have made progress in Europe and the future looks bright.
Although, after match week two, not many were thinking that way when Borussia Dortmund put seven goals past Celtic.
Since then, the team have responded very well and the two clean sheets on the road, as well as progression to the knockout stage, is proof of that.
It’s just now about wiping away that previous trip to Germany and ensuring this one is more memorable than ever.
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