Bayern Munich Advances Past Celtic Due to Last-Minute Alphonso Davies Strike
Last week, the question loomed whether Bayern Munich would rue giving Celtic a lifeline in the first leg, leading 2-0 only to concede late, thanks to Daizen Maeda (79'). At the Allianz Arena, the Reds managed to fend off the Scottish giants, making it to the Champions League round of 16.
The contest, however, was far from predictable, with Bayern barely edging past their opponents until the last kick of the game. Alphonso Davies tapped in a rebound at the 94th minute, equalizing Nicolas Kühn's goal (63'), eventually sealing Celtic's fate.
Post-match, Davies explained his goal, attributing it to his instincts: "I just went into the box and put a foot. It went in." The 90 minutes against Celtic served as a relief for Bayern, as they now face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
Reminiscent of their performance against Leverkusen, the best part about confronting Celtic was the outcome. Despite recent form concerns, Bayern had been unstoppable in the Bundesliga, boasting a seven-match winning streak since the winter break.
However, onlookers were taken aback by a lethargic Bayern team in the past three games. The Rekordmeister, known for their relentless energy, appeared devoid of ideas during the second leg against Celtic and the full 90 minutes against Leverkusen.
Coach Vincent Kompany acknowledged the exhaustion, citing throttled energy after a hectic week. Max Eberl, the director of sports, admitted their performance left room for improvement: "We won't sit here claiming we're in top form and everything's fantastic; it's not that way at the moment."
As Bayern braces for an Eintracht Frankfurt challenge on Sunday, there might be concerns over Harry Kane's availability due to a calf injury suffered during the match against Leverkusen. With a likely Bundesliga title wrap-up with the 0-0 draw against Leverkusen, the relief at having advanced overshadowed all else.
Sources:
- Bayern Munich 2024/25 Stats
- Bayern Munich's Champions League away form
- Bayern Munich vs Celtic 2024/25 Champions League – tactical analysis
- Full Match Replay – Bayern Munich vs Celtic Champions League 2024/25 (Highlights & Goals)
- Bayern Munich vs Celtic HEAD TO HEAD stats
- Despite Bayern Munich's victory in the Champions League, their performance against Celtic and Leverkusen raised concerns, with the team appearing jaded and devoid of ideas.
- In the Champions League round of 16, Bayern Munich will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen, a match that brings back memories of their dominant display against Celtic.
- Alphonso Davies' goal in the Champions League match against Celtic, scored at the 94th minute, was a testament to his instincts and helped Bayern Munich secure their victory.
- In the Champions League, Bayern Munich has a mixed record against Scottish giants, with their latest encounter against Celtic ending in a 2-1 win.
- With Harry Kane potentially unavailable due to a calf injury, Bayern Munich will need to rely on other players for their upcoming Bundesliga challenge against Eintracht Frankfurt.
