Rodgers urges Celtic to be bold against Bayern

MUNICH: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers urged his underdog side not to die wondering in Tuesday´s must-win Champions League second-leg away at Bayern Munich.

Bayern are in the driver´s seat for a spot in the last 16 after a 2-1 win at Celtic Park on Wednesday. Under this season´s new Champions League format, Celtic made it out of the group stage for the first time since 2012-13, finishing 21st in the table.

But their progress has come in spite of poor away form in Europe. Two scoreless draws at Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb were bookended by thrashings at Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa, with Celtic conceding 11 and scoring three.

Six-time Champions League winners Bayern may have struggled away in Europe this season, losing three of five, but are dominant at home. Bayern have not lost in Munich in the Champions League since April 2021, a run of 20 games including battles against Real Madrid and Manchester City in the seasons they won the competition.

After Saturday´s 3-0 controlled demolition of third-placed Dundee United, Celtic have a 13-point lead atop the Scottish Premiership table. Matches against Europe´s best have however spotlighted the gulf in quality Rodgers´ ´Bhoys´ must overcome should they progress further in the Champions League.

Wednesday´s loss to Bayern was Celtic´s first defeat on home soil in 33 games dating back to December 2023, once more highlighting the scope of the challenge on Tuesday. On Saturday, Rodgers praised his side´s “mentality and focus” as they continued to develop and improve on the European stage.

“We´ve made great strides this season from last season in the competition. “We´ve been competitive. I wanted us to show our level throughout the competition and we´ve done that.”