Celtic faced a crushing defeat in their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, with a late strike by Alphonso Davies sealing their fate. The drama unfolded at the Allianz Arena, where Celtic's valiant efforts ended in heartbreak as they were eliminated from the prestigious tournament. Despite delivering one of their best away performances, according to captain Callum McGregor, the Scottish side failed to secure a spot in the last 16. Bayern Munich, however, advanced to the next stage and will face either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid.
The match was an intense contest, with Celtic demonstrating defensive brilliance throughout the game. Sky Sports' Chris Sutton remarked on their performance, emphasizing their defensive prowess but noting a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal. Celtic missed crucial opportunities to take the lead earlier in the match, which ultimately cost them dearly. Sutton observed that the team switched off in the final seconds, allowing Bayern Munich to capitalize on a lapse in focus.
"It's one of the cruellest [experiences I've had in football]. The players gave absolutely everything and pushed a very good Bayern side all the way, right to the death." – Callum McGregor
Bayern Munich's victory was not without its moments of luck, as acknowledged by McGregor. The Scottish captain lamented the result, describing it as one of the cruellest experiences in his football career. He praised his team for their outstanding performance and resilience against a formidable opponent. McGregor also highlighted that Bayern Munich were fortunate to escape with a win, given the intensity of Celtic's play.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers echoed McGregor's sentiments, expressing immense pride in his players despite the outcome. He emphasized that sometimes football can be unforgiving and does not always reward deserving teams.
"Sometimes football is cruel, you don't always get what you deserve. I'm so, so proud of the players, the way that they played and handled themselves. We come off the pitch with no regrets." – Brendan Rodgers
The decisive moment came in the 94th minute when Alphonso Davies found the back of the net, securing Bayern Munich's progression to the next round. This late goal followed a stunning save by Kasper Schmeichel, who denied Leon Goretzka's powerful effort moments earlier. Rodgers noted that his players had given everything, limiting Bayern's chances and space throughout the match.
"It was not what the players deserved at the very end. They gave so much in the game. We didn't give away too much and denied them space as well." – Brendan Rodgers
Celtic's journey in the Champions League ended amidst reflections on what might have been. Their failure to replace Kyogo, who was sold prior to the match, was evident as they lacked a clinical edge up front. Despite this setback, Celtic's performance was hailed by Sutton as one of their best, showing that they could compete with Europe's elite.
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