Bayern Munich better of Celtic’s two ‘Mission Impossibles’ but anything is possible

The Celtic Star

·31 janvier 2025

Bayern Munich better of Celtic’s two ‘Mission Impossibles’ but anything is possible

Munich or Madrid, it was always going to be difficult, but Munich is one we can compete in, especially at home. It’s a tie we should be relishing and remember in football anything is possible…

Players of FC Bayern München pose for a picture prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

It’s Bayern Munich for Celtic, not Real Madrid

As you will know, the UEFA Champions League play off draw today paired us with Bayern Munich. That is going to be a mouth watering tie and one everyone connected with Celtic should relish. No matter who we were paired with it was always going to be a difficult obstacle as our other option was Real Madrid!

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For me Real Madrid would have been a much more difficult task. There are of course the holders and their attacking options of Mbappe, Vinicius Jnr, Jude Bellingham, Velvarde, and Rodygro would have been too much for our defence to handle.

Harry Kane of FC Bayern München runs during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

That’s not a criticism, that’s just the reality. Real Madrid are a class act all over the pitch as we witnessed first hand two years ago as they crushed us home and away in the group stages, and they have further strengthened since then.

Bayern’s quality attack – Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry, and Leroy Sane

Bayern also have quality all over the pitch, and of course have quality attacking options in Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry, and Leroy Sane. They are top of the Bundesliga and will be a tough obstacle to overcome.

Leroy Sane of FC Bayern München looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

We must take something at Celtic Park in the first leg if we are to even think of advancing. Bayerns away form has been far from impressive. They crushed Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1, but lost 1-0 at Villa Park, got trounced 4-1 at the Nou Camp against Barcelona, and went down 3-0 to Feyenoord in Holland. That should give us some confidence going into the first leg.

Celtic has already beaten a top Bundesliga side at Paradise this season

Celtic of course has already beaten a Bundesliga team this season when we comfortably defeated RB Leipzig at Celtic Park. If Celtic can replicate the performance from that wonderful night under the lights at Paradise then anything is possible.

Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Joshua Kimmich during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

And we’ve already lost heavily in Germany

At home though they are formidable and won all their ties which Included victories over Benfica, PSG, Slovan Bratislava, and a thumping 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb, so it’s vital we head over to the Allianz Arena with something to fight for. And remember Celtic ourselves shipped seven goals in Germany this season when we were hammered 7-1 by Dortmund, so worryingly anything is possible.

If Celtic can pair our RB Leipzig home performance with our away showing in Bergamo against Atalanta who are possibly a better side than Bayern at the moment, then anything is possible.

Vincent Kompany, head coach of FC Bayern München looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

It will be tough, but a challenge we should be relishing all the same. Remember anything is possible.