Celtic's valiant Champions League effort fell just short in Munich as Bayern snatched a late equalizer in the dying moments of their play-off tie. The Scottish champions were minutes away from forcing extra time against the Bundesliga leaders before Alphonso Davies's last-gasp scrambled goal crushed their dreams.
The night belonged to Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who made eight crucial saves and epitomized the team's heroic performance. "I was loving every minute, so another 30 would have been amazing," Schmeichel reflected after the match, acknowledging the cruel nature of football.
Nicolas Kuhn's second-half strike had given Celtic a deserved 1-0 lead, with the Scottish side pressing and harassing Bayern throughout the match. The German giants, heavily favored to win, appeared rattled and struggled to find answers against Celtic's disciplined approach.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers couldn't hide his pride in his team's fearless display. "We were outstanding, played without any fear," he said. "Defended so well, with discipline, pressed at the right moments, gave them issues on that side, and were able to be compact and tight in the right moment."
The performance marked a remarkable transformation for Celtic, who just four months ago suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Since then, they've recorded impressive wins against RB Leipzig and Young Boys, along with respectable draws against Atalanta, Club Brugge, and Dinamo Zagreb.
This progress was evident in their ability to go toe-to-toe with Bayern, who currently sit 26 points clear of Dortmund in the Bundesliga. As Schmeichel noted, "There's so much disappointment but when we take a step back and analyze the fact we're away to Bayern and are disappointed in drawing, I think that says a lot when you think of where we started."
Former Scotland forward James McFadden, speaking on Sportsound, emphasized the significance of the performance: "Celtic suffered out there and they proved people wrong. People watching that will go 'Celtic are a really good side'. Everyone involved will be gutted at the minute because they will feel they could have won this tie."
Looking ahead, Rodgers sees this as a stepping stone for Celtic's European ambitions. "My unswerving plan is to make it a seasoned club at this level, where we can go and really hurt big opponents like Bayern Munich," he declared, emphasizing the valuable lessons learned along the way and his commitment to building a stronger future for the club in European competition.
Only Aston Villa have managed to defeat Celtic in the league phase since their Dortmund setback, demonstrating the team's resilience and growth. While the result may have been heartbreaking, it served as compelling evidence of Celtic's progress and their potential to compete at the highest level of European football.
