With just seconds remaining in stoppage time, Celtic were on the verge of forcing extra time in their Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich. Leading 1-0 on the night thanks to Nicolas Kuhn’s second-half goal, Brendan Rodgers’ team had matched the Bundesliga giants in every department.
Celtic had the better of the first half, pressing relentlessly and creating several opportunities to extend their lead. Bayern, overwhelming favorites before kick-off, found themselves unsettled as the Scottish side dictated the tempo. However, deep into injury time, Alphonso Davies pounced on a rebound after Kasper Schmeichel had parried Leon Goretzka’s header, sending the German side through in agonizing fashion.
Schmeichel, a key figure throughout the game, expressed his devastation at the outcome. “Frustration, disappointment… but I thought it was a heroic performance,” the Danish goalkeeper said. “Football can be cruel sometimes. I was loving every second, and playing another 30 minutes would have been incredible.”
Rodgers was full of praise for his players, highlighting their fearless approach. “We were exceptional tonight, played with no fear,” he said. “We defended with great organization, pressed well, and disrupted their rhythm. It never felt like we were going to concede in that manner, so I can only take immense pride in the effort the players gave.”
A remarkable turnaround in four months
Celtic’s performances in Europe earlier in the season painted a different picture. A humiliating 7-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund had many questioning their ability to compete at this level. But Rodgers’ men responded emphatically.
They bounced back with victories over RB Leipzig and Young Boys, coupled with solid draws against Atalanta, Club Brugge, and Dinamo Zagreb. Their resilience and improvement secured them a high-profile clash with Bayern, who currently sit significantly ahead of Dortmund in the Bundesliga standings.
Despite the disappointment in Munich, Celtic’s progress over the past few months has been evident. “There’s a lot of frustration, but when we step back and realize we’re away to Bayern and feel let down with a draw, that says a lot,” Schmeichel reflected.
Former Scotland forward James McFadden echoed these sentiments. “Celtic have silenced the doubters,” he said. “Anyone watching will see this is a very good team. They’ll be devastated now, but the fact they could have won this tie shows just how far they’ve come.”
Building for the future
Rodgers remains confident that this season’s European campaign has laid the groundwork for sustained success at the highest level. Since that forgettable night in Dortmund, only Aston Villa have beaten Celtic in European competition.
The Celtic boss believes these experiences will only strengthen his squad for future challenges. “We’ve taken key lessons from this journey and played some fantastic football along the way,” he said. “Now, we need to finish the domestic season strongly and continue developing.”
Rodgers is determined to turn Celtic into a side that can consistently challenge Europe’s elite. “My ambition is to make this club a regular force at this level – one that can go into games like tonight and truly hurt teams like Bayern.”
Though their campaign ended in heartbreak, Celtic’s performance in Munich provided a glimpse of a team growing in stature, ready to take the next step in European football.
