Brendan Rodgers has encouraged Celtic to play without fear and does not regret their Champions League play-off second stage to Bayern Munich.
Celtic travels to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday hoping to destroy a 2-1 deficit to reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time since the 2012-2013 season under Neil Lennon.
However, they have been eliminated in their last nine major European knockout tires when they have lost the first stage, since they continue against Koln in the first round of the UEFA Cup 1992-93.
Celtic, however, never made progress when losing the first leg at home (seven previous authorities). They also played 15 away against German opposition in Europe and are still looking for their first such victory (D3 L12).
The side of Rodgers did not succeed in trying a single shot in the first half of the first leg against Bayern, but in the second half they had nine shots to Bayern's five.
They also completed more passes (239 versus 213) and had more possession (53%), while their 19 touches in Bayern's box were the most by a team in a half of Champions League football against the Bundesliga side since Real Madrid in the Second half in May 2024 (23).
The OPTA Supercomputer gives Celtic a measly 9.5%soverness from their data-led simulations, and Rodgers said his side should be at their best if they have a chance to continue to the next round.
“There is no second chance,” said Rodgers. “We must be smart, clear and brave and if we can do that, history has shown that everything can happen in sport.
“You come to this level and you have to play without fear.
“There are worse things in life than losing a game of football, so we want to make sure that when we arrive after the game, if we don't go on, we have definitely given it everything.”
Next: Munich
The hoops go to Germany for the second stage of the #ucl Knockout Phase Playoff! #Bayernmünchenceltic | #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/niqgfdc3ie
– Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) 17 February 2025
But they are confronted with a strict test on the side of Vincent Kompany, who are at the top of the Bundesliga classification with eight points in the first season of the Belgian to lead the club.
Bayern is also advanced from their last 13 Champions League -Knock -Out tires when they won the first stage. The last time they were eliminated was in the last 16 against Inter in 2010-11, with 1-0 in Italy in the first stage before she lost 3-2 in the second stage and goals.
They are unbeaten in their last 20 home games in the Champions League (W16 D4), while they only had such a run in the competition once before – 29 games between March 1998 and April 2002. Indeed, their current undefeated home of 20 games is Also the longest active in the Champions League.
But Rodgers takes the care of a strong finish in Glasgow in the first leg, with Daizen Maeda who withdraws a goal before his side after strikes by Michael Olise and Harry Kane.
“I am so happy that I have this group of players with incredible mentality and professionalism,” Rodgers added. “If they show that, we know we have a chance.
“As long as you can use that opportunity to give your best, you can come in and say:” We are defeated by the better team “. The regret is if you don't, and you just show up too late.
“We have shown that when we can play at the top of our game and if a team is not completely at its best, we can punish them.
“We have done very well to get to this point and if you do that, your teams will play at top level. This is a team of world class players. For us it is about our collective.
“Everyone will look at this game with us as the underdog, but we are still aware that we are competitive and, if we can play to our level, we can make the game difficult for Bayern.”
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