The last denouement of the Champions League campaign from Celtic called on an extraordinary mix of pride and regret for both players and supporters.
The former emotion came from an excellent collective display that did not manifest himself in the outcome of Brendan Rodgers. Only seconds they separated from a famous victory at 90 minutes and extra time.
Unfortunately, the latter came as a result of a multitude of opportunities that were missed in the night and the loss of a bad second goal in Glasgow the last week.
For all Celtic, they went on their shield in the Arena where the final will be organized in May, there are questions that chase everyone who is associated with the club while this tournament is rolling.
Which direction would this game have taken if the Scottish champions had taken only one of the many early chances they have formed?
How different would the result were if the Talismian Kyogo Furuhashi had not moved to Rennes after the qualification was secured without a Like-for-like replacement being nailed?
Given little chance because of the most neutral of down the Bavarian giants in their own backyard, Celtic delivered a performance of real substance that spoke to their evolution during this tournament.
Even after they have been eliminated, they have reason to believe that they are again at this level. If Lady Luck she had not been in the 94th minute, because Alphonso Davies supplied to save Bayern's skin, they might be on their way to the last 16.
Once the dust is established, there will be considerable consolidation to be derived from how close to Rodgers' men's cake are to draw a monumental upset.
Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena is a task that is so close to the mission impossible if you will find nowadays.
Since their defense of their trophy was ended four years ago by Paris Saint-Germain, Munich has played 20 home games in the competition.
Barcelona (twice), Inter Milan and Manchester United all arrived with hope to enjoy a victory, but were all defeated. Only four draws in that series – against Villarreal, Manchester City, FC Copenhagen and Real Madrid – further evidence of how in favor of this futuristic structure to the north of this big city remains.
In that respect, the extraordinary efforts of Celtic must be viewed in perspective. They could hardly have gotten closer to taking off the unthinkable.
Because all Celtic had to score in the competition, they didn't have to force the issue. There was a structure on the side of Rodgers. They were impressively patient and careful.
This approached itself in an early opening. Callum McGregor crowded high and advanced, but could not touch the target.
Bayern did not stop the warning. Only the stationing of Raphael Guerreiro on the line prevented the weak strike from Nicolas Kuhn from finding the net.
Daizen Maeda then seemed ready to turn the cross from Arne English to home and saw it one immediately too late. The winger then tried to Lob Manuel Neuer when he would have better options. Apart from a goal, Rodgers could not have wished for a better opening.
Because everyone had their moments, such as when Kasper Schmeichel had to adjust his body to prevent the bent strike from Harry Kane from struck him, Celtic was not routinely cut.
When necessary, they doubled the space of their opponents, made timely blocks and followed runners.
When they restored the ball, they kept him, it worked left and right and back, looking for vulnerability in the defense of Munich. The latter increase in Celtic Park the last Wednesday apparently performed wonders for their conviction. It was a terrible long way away from that gloomy night in Dortmund when they lost seven.
Of course, Kane became the bar about the rest before he was withdrawn, but it was a fleeting moment.
Celtic had played with freedom and goal. The midfield Three – McGregor, Engels and Reo Hatate – had hardly done a foot. The team pressed coherence and constantly played through Bayern's attempts to print them in turn.
Schmeichel's salvation to deny Leon Goretzka at the start of the second half ensured that the aggregated deficit remained just one.
You always felt that Celtic would get another chance. It arrived at 63 minutes .. This time they took it.
Maeda ensured that chaos, his presence, causing Kim Min-Jae to panic and surrendering on the edge of his own box. Kuhn was inside. After a touch to stabilize himself, he buried the ball past Neuer. What a moment for the former Bayern Reserve.
Bayern was rattled. Maeda met the cross of Engel, but could not get enough on his header. Although Goretzka, Leroy Sane and Joshua Kimmich came close, Celtic survived.
Schmeichel was excellent, his treatment gave his teammates a delay when they needed it.
They deserved to take the distance. Just when it seemed at extra time, Schmeichel made a great salvation from Goretzka, but the desperate clearance of Carter vickers got rid of Davies and ricochde in the net.
One thing can certainly be said. After years of participating in the Champions League without really competing with it, Celtic made their presence feel this time. They no longer only made the numbers. They now have something to build on.
From that Barnstorming -display against Slovan Bratislava, to the Trek Get To Atalanta, from the Swashbuckling victory over RB Leipzig to the wonderful effort last night, it was quite a ride.
It was a cruel way to end. Celtic will have the feeling that they could have continued. In the midst of the pain, however, their pride will be felt.
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