To win away from home in the Champions League requires resisting the pressure of the stadium, controlling the game, and grabbing the correct opportunities. Bayern Munich did all this to the letter and defeated Celtic 2-1 in Scotland. The 2-1 result might be confused into suggesting that the game was evenly balanced, but for most of the match, the German side dictated terms and showed why they are one of the most lethal teams in the competition.
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With another blow from Harry Kane — his sixth in seven Champions League games — and one from Olise, Bayern made a comfortable buffer but allowed Celtic to dream at the end. Maeda got one back for the Scots, sending the crowd into ecstasy and making the end of the game a test of character for the Bavarians. But experience prevailed, and the Munich side held on to the win, stretching their unbeaten run against Celtic, now four games, three wins.
Quick start and dominance by Bayern
Celtic had a lightning start to the game. Kühn had scored in under a minute, but had the goal ruled out when Adam Idah was deemed to be offside. This early fright in the first few minutes jolted Bayern out of their initial slumber, and the team soon gained a stranglehold on the game. There was a block for Olise, a long-range speculative shot by Laimer, and Schmeichel was called upon to make top-class saves to prevent Bayern from taking the lead.
Dominate, the Bavarians dominated the attacking half of the field and were close to scoring. Kane had already come close to scoring, and the pressure just kept mounting. All they required was to turn the dominance into a goal.
Olise and Kane gave Bayern the advantage
When the first half was nearing an end, Bayern found the space they had been searching for. Olise was picked out, left his marker on the ground, and shot solidly past Schmeichel. What a strike. Bayern's one-sidedness was now reflected on the score sheet at halftime, and some added protection for the second half.
The second half started the same way: Bayern on top, and Celtic looking to catch them on the break. But quality margin was exposed. Kane, again, came on cue to drive the lead on. Number 9 took a well-struck corner and powered it first-time into the goal, confirming his goal-touching knack and extending Bayern to 20 goals for eight Champions League matches this season. It appeared to be it. Appeared.
Late alarm and Celtic pressure
If soccer has an unwritten rule, it's that a team should never get too comfortable too soon. Bayern had slowed down its tempo, and Celtic took advantage. Maeda, having already wasted a gargantuan opportunity thanks to a Neuer mistake, was given another opportunity and didn't waste it this time. From a corner kick, he leaped higher than the Bayern defense and headed it in.
The goal galvanized the fans, and the remaining minutes were all about Celtic's relentless pressure. Goretzka and Gnabry were forced to play improvisational defense, repelling dangerous shots. Jota tried from long range, and Neuer was compelled to make a vital save from a Johnston shot. Celtic threw everything at it, but Bayern held firm and grabbed the win, though tougher than they anticipated.