Glasgow, Scotland, UK (Weltexpress). By both no more then could be achieved. Bayern Munich won Tuesday night 2-1 (1-0) against Celtic Glasgow. For the Celts or rather Irish folk from Glasgow, the best was not good enough. Although the men’s team from Munich played lacklustre in the largest Scottish city, in the end FC Bayern made it thanks to their much better players.
Preliminary
Brendan Rodgers, the manager of The Celtic Football Club, changed his starting line-up in four positions compared to the game lost 0-3 in the Bavarian capital: Bitton, Dembelé, Forrest and Roberts replaced Gamboa, Griffiths, McGregor and Ntcham. Bayern coach Heynkes even replaced five players after winning against RB (Rasenballsport, not Red Bull to be sure) Leipzig. Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Sebastian Rudy and Thiago remained on the bench and injured Robert Lewandowski at home.
The first half
In a anything but glorious to be termed encounter in the group stage of the Champions League called king’s class of the Association of European Football Associations (UEFA), Bayern hardly succeeded against compact acting Scots, who made it tight at the back and rarely let anything get out of control. As so often, there were individual mistakes, such as those of goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who invited Bayern to score. Kingsley Coman did not despise the host’s gift, whose entire defence was standing on the wrong foot, and placed the ball into the empty net early in the game (22 ‘).
Coman is said to have taken the ball with his hand, complained Gordon while he was circled by Coman, but referee Danny Makkelie from the Netherlands recognized the goal, even when more defenders joined Gordon’s protest. Many fans did whistle at first, but subsequently in view of the given goal remained unusually quiet on the whole.
However, the first big opportunity shortly after the start of the game was on the feet of Stuart Armstrong, who played without luck in Paradise, the nickname of Celtic Park in Glasgow’s Parkhead district, which was sold out with 57,000 spectators. Although the stadium on Kerrydale Street has a capacity of 60,832 seats, no more could not enter due to UEFA regulations for safety reasons.
David Alaba was in dire need to clear as Moussa Dembelé was close to scoring (30.). Greater opportunities did not arise. Both teams seemed uninspired in their forward strike, with Glasgow moving swiftly ahead, while Munich mimed a controlled offensive.
The second half
First Armstrong failed with a long-range shot at Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich (48), then James Rodríguez with a try stopped by Gordon (67). At the end of the game Callum McGregor scored the acclaimed 1-1 (74 ‘). Although the men from Munich did not give the impression of being able to win, they were more eager after the compensation. Javi Martínez crowned his outstanding performance with a header shortly after that (77 ‘). A goalkeeper error and a high ball into the penalty area brought victory with the 2-1 and showed that the record champion from Germany is far from the art of the game under Josep Guardiola. At that time there was more pep in the game, today its more Jupp – meaning: it is thanks to the lack of individual players again more will power and team unity, hence: discipline. After all, this is what the new oldie coach Josef Heynckes has initiated and paved the way for.
Summary
Because FC Bayern München is on second place in Group B due to the scarce but not unearned working victory after four matches with 9 points, the league of 16 is reached. Paris Saint-Germain Football Club remains in first place with 12 points out of 4 matches and after winning 5-0 at home against bottom of the table RSC Anderlecht.
Many a Neuner don’t make a Lewandowsky yet. The time off of the Polish star striker in the ranks of the record champion revealed the missing level of the Heynkes eleven in attack. The offensive lacks creativity. True, Martínez ironed out some disagreements in the defence and midfield. But no question: personnel must be upgraded to keep up with PSG and others. This level is enough for the Bundesliga only – unfortunately at that.
Run up of the match
Result: Celtic Glasgow – Bayern München 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: 0: 1 Kingsley Coman (22), 1:1 Callum McGregor (74.), 1:2 Javi Martínez (77.)
Team Celtic Glasgow: Craig Gordon (goal) – Mikael Lustig, Dedryck Boyata, Nir Bitton, Kieran Tierney – Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong (79. Leigh Griffiths) – James Forrest, Callum McGregor, Scott Sinclair (64. Thomas Rogic) – Moussa Dembelé
Team Bayern München: Sven Ulreich (goal) – Rafinha, Niklas Süle, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba – Corentin Tolisso (83. Joshua Kimmich), Javi Martínez – Arjen Robben (90. + 4 Thiago), Arturo Vidal (59. Sebastian Rudy), Kingsley Coman – James
Referee: Makkelie (Netherlands)
Yellow cards: none
Audience: 57,000 spectators
Weather: late autumn, fresh and windy
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Christopher Prescott, based on an article by Ralf-Rüdiger Okudera.
