Bayern Munich will look to secure their place in the next round of the UEFA Champions League with a strong second-leg showing against Celtic.
Celtic will have to punch above their weight and script an incredible comeback against Bayern Munich if they want to make it to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany’s team already have a goal advantage thanks to their 2-1 win in the first leg and avoiding defeat will be more than enough for them.
The home team have maintained their dominance in the Bundesliga but they have not had the best Champions League campaign so far. They could only manage a 12th-place finish in the league phase forcing them to play this knockout round tie.
Meanwhile, the visitors will consider they have done wonders by reaching so far in the competition for the first time in over a decade. They finished 21st on the table to set up this tie against Bavarian giants Bayern Munich.
While Celtic did end up suffering a 2-1 defeat at home in the first leg, it was not that bad a result as they still have an outside chance of going through. Bayern Munich had taken a two-goal lead but the Scottish giants managed to get a goal back which keeps them alive in this tie.
The Bavarian outfit are heading into this fixture on the back of a 0-0 draw against Bayer Leverkusen but that result should not have any impact on this one. Meanwhile, Celtic are heading into this one on the back of a 3-0 win in the Bundesliga, and it should give them confidence ahead of their trip to the Allianz Arena. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Apart from Alphonso Davies and Daniel Peretz, Bayern Munich have a fully fit squad for this fixture against Celtic. Vincent Kompany’s team are unlikely to have any surprises, and they will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Manuel Neuer should continue in goal for the home side. Josip Stanisic could get the nod at right-back, while Raphael Guerreiro should continue on the left flank. In the heart of the defence, Dayot Upamecano should partner with Kim Min-jae.
The back four will look to keep things tight at the back, and they will receive support from Joshua Kimmich and Joao Palhinha who will form the double pivot in midfield. Jamal Musiala will continue in the no. 10 role, while Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise are expected to feature on the flanks. Harry Kane will continue to lead the line for Bayern Munich against Celtic.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Celtic
James Forrest and Paulo Bernardo are both out injured for the visitors. While Jota is not yet a hundred per cent match-ready, he could still start in this fixture as Brendan Rodgers’s team will look to script an incredible comeback.
Celtic will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Kasper Schmeichel will take charge in goal. The back four will made up of Alistair Johnston, Greg Taylor, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Auston Trusty.
In the centre of the park, Callum McGregor will start alongside Reo Hatate and Arne Engels. While the trio would love to dictate the pace, their priority will be to ensure Bayern Munich do not dominate the proceedings.
Daizen Maeda and Jota should feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Adam Idah should continue to lead the line for Celtic against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Hatate, McGregor, Engels; Maeda, Idah, Jota
Key Stats
- Celtic are yet to win a UEFA Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich.
- Bayern Munich secured their fourth win in five meetings with Celtic, edging out a 2-1 victory in the first leg.
- Brendan Rodgers’s team have won nine out of their last 12 games.
- Bayern Munich have bagged three or more goals in eight out of their last 14 games across competitions.
- Vincent Kompany’s team played out a draw last time out; it was only the second time in their last 11 outings that they did not claim a win.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
While Kane failed to end his title drought last season, he will be hoping to lift his first major silverware this time around. The 31-year-old will look to ensure his team makes it to the next round, and having contributed towards 39 goals in his 30 outings this season, one cannot bet against him.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 2-0 Celtic
While Celtic did manage to keep themselves alive in the tie with a late goal last time out, they might not stand a chance against Bayern Munich away from home. The Baarian giants will be looking to put up a statement performance, and they should come out on top here without much trouble. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the home team in the second leg.
