Bayern Munich took a significant step in the direction of the Champions League final 16 as Michael Olise’s thunderbolt and Harry Kane’s scientific end secured a 2-1 win at Celtic within the play-off spherical first leg on Wednesday.
Vincent Kompany’s facet dominated the primary half and a shocking strike from Olise gave them a deserved lead earlier than Kane maintained his red-hot scoring streak after the interval.
Daizen Maeda netted within the closing levels to offer Scottish champions Celtic hope of a miraculous escape act within the second leg.
The Japan ahead was solely taking part in after his two-game ban was unexpectedly decreased on attraction this week following his crimson card in opposition to Younger Boys.
However Bundesliga leaders Bayern will nonetheless be favourites to advance to the final 16 when Celtic go to Munich on February 18.
Celtic completed simply three factors behind Bayern within the league section, but there’s a big gulf between the golf equipment’ European pedigree.
Six-time European champions Bayern lead the Bundesliga by eight factors, whereas Celtic are trying to achieve the final 16 for the primary time since 2012-13.
For the primary 70 minutes that chasm in high quality was clear to see earlier than Bayern eased up within the closing levels, practically permitting Celtic again into the tie because of this.
Celtic’s first defeat in 33 residence matches throughout all competitions was a welcome confidence increase for Bayern, who had proven a weak point on the street in league section defeats at Barcelona, Aston Villa and Feyenoord.
Celtic thought that they had preyed on that weak point when former Bayern ahead Nicolas Kuhn fired residence from 20 yards inside the primary minute, just for the purpose to be disallowed for offside in opposition to Adam Idah.
Bayern may have been swept away by the tidal wave of noise cascading down from the Parkhead stands.
However Kompany’s males are too skilled for that and so they rapidly seized management with a gradual weight loss program of possession.
– Predatory Kane –
Olise practically put Bayern forward with a robust strike that pressured Kasper Schmeichel to save lots of at his close to publish.
Schmeichel was pressured into motion once more moments later as Kane’s roller was pushed away by the Dane.
Bayern had been camped on the sting of the Celtic space as they probed for an opener.
Kane ought to have damaged the impasse when he nodded Olise’s nook into the side-netting from close-range.
However the England captain’s blushes had been spared by Olise on the stroke of half-time.
Slicing inside Greg Taylor to achieve Dayot Upamecano’s lengthy move, Olise unleashed a blistering drive that arrowed into the highest nook from 15 yards.
It was not more than Bayern deserved for his or her territorial dominance and the Germans struck once more 4 minutes after the interval.
Joshua Kimmich’s nook swung all the best way to the far publish and not using a Celtic clearance and the unmarked Kane guided a composed volley previous Schmeichel from 5 yards.
Kane’s usually predatory end took his season tally to 29 objectives in 29 video games in all competitions.
Upamecano’s problem on Arne Engels prompted a protracted VAR examine for a possible penalty, however Celtic’s attraction was accurately rejected.
That was the sign for Celtic to mount a late bid to haul themselves again into the tie.
Bayern had grown more and more sloppy and Rodgers’ males earned their lifeline within the 79th minute when Maeda met Yang Hyun-Jun’s shot with a header from just about on the road.
Kompany’s males needed to cling on for pricey life within the remaining minutes, with Manuel Neuer producing a vital save to disclaim Alistair Johnston.
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