![Does Maeda’s goal give Celtic hope for a Champions League turnaround vs Bayern](https://nbdsport.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CgAGVmetthmADxtXAAFvU3rLZOk574.jpg)
Celtic will travel to Germany with a spark of hope to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, but there is no doubt that it will be a tough challenge.
The aim of Daizzen Maeda in Celtic Park to reduce the shortage to 2-1 has kept their play-off against Bayern Munich alive, but they have not won home in Europe since 2017.
Is it possible that they wait that in the Allianz Arena against a team that is determined to go all the way in the competition of this season?
Celtic's only defeat came to Borussia Dortmund-Ze scored early and the hoops were hammered 7-0.
Against Bayern they showed how much they have developed. Under pressure they did not finish and it could have been a completely different game if Adam Idah was not offside when Nicolas Kuhn shot home within the opening minute.
Should Jota have started with Maeda?
After the ban of Maeda was reduced, he would always start against Bayern, but Brendan Rodgers had to decide whether he wanted to start with Jota and played Maeda through the middle or went in front with Idah.
Idah scored a Double in Aston Villa in their latest Champions League outing and Jota's lack of minutes saw him being called on the couch.
But the game changed when the Portuguese winger came and Maeda went central.
The Japanese international set out what could be a crucial goal and you wonder if Rodgers will be sorry that he did not start that way.
'Still a possibility' for Rodgers
Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers:
“It would always be a big challenge for us. We always get the underdog in this draw. You see their level, you see their quality.
“We hung against a real top and we gave them problems, so we will take confidence of it.
“We are now going over next week and we are still right in the draw. There is only one difference with one goal.
“It is a big challenge, we know, but it is still a possibility.
“You can always lose at this level, but you should never be broken – and we are not broken.
“We kept going, we kept trying to play, we kept fighting and then we received a reward for that.
“It makes Bayern Munich think that, no, this team, you just can't roll them over. They will be there, their mind is there.
“We will take that attitude in our game next week.”
Wilson: Celtic Hold a 'Glimmer of Hope'
Former Celtic defender Mark Wilson on Sky Sports News:
“Celtic has a very slender chance to get through, but they have to do what they don't do often and win home in Europe. In the Allianz Arena it becomes incredibly difficult.
“The goal of Maeda gives them a little hope in play and it is clearly better than the way it was going on, because Bayern was only a quality above Celtic for that full period.
“Celtic sometimes looked scared – so many backward steps and that took place in the second half.
“It was interesting when Brendan Rodgers changed things, he placed Maeda through the middle and Jota and [Hyun-Jun] Yang on. There was a little more faith and a little more pace between the front line.
“They came to Bayern Munich and they were given their little bit of success in the last 15 minutes.
“Rodgers will be disappointed about how the game went, but not disappointed in the efforts that his players have made, but at this level you will find these quality vessels that you can punish with the least chance.
'You can't afford to boys like [Michael] Olise and especially Harry Kane the opportunities they did. That is what cost them.
“The game started on incredible fashion when Kuhn hit and he did well, but this Champions League campaign was wearing that element of bad luck for Celtic.
“Kyogo [Furuhashi] Scored a hat trick in the first match against young boys and each of them was excluded, and that went on.
“They had the penalty control that I was convinced would be given and that would have given them more chance to get back into the game.
“It didn't go their way, but after the goal they only had one really good chance of Alistair Johnston and [Manuel] Neuer stored.
“Bayern Munich are masters in controlling the ball. They have been so often in that competition in this competition and they have just as well managed the game.
“Disappointing in the night, but a glimmer of hope goes to Munich.”
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