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Celtic Prepares for Crucial Clash Against Bayern Munich in Champions League
Brendan Rodgers, the manager of Celtic Football Club, is urging his team to approach their upcoming Champions League play-off match against Bayern Munich with a fearless mindset. As they head into the second leg of the tie trailing 2-1, the stakes are high, and Rodgers emphasizes the importance of delivering a top-tier performance to secure a positive outcome.
“This is a decisive moment; there are no second chances for us,” said Rodgers. He highlighted the need for his players to exhibit cleverness, brightness, and bravery on the field. If they can channel these qualities, he believes that anything is possible in the world of sports.
Rodgers asserted that playing without fear is crucial at this level, stating, “There are more significant concerns in life than the outcome of a football match. We want to ensure that when we leave the pitch, we can hold our heads high, knowing we gave our all – regardless of whether we progress to the next stage.”
Bayern Munich, a club with a storied history that includes six Champions League titles, poses a formidable challenge. They have not lost in their last 20 home matches in the tournament and have a strong historical advantage over Celtic, having won four out of five encounters. Additionally, Celtic is still searching for their first victory in Germany, having gone winless in their last 15 attempts.
Despite these daunting statistics, Rodgers finds encouragement in Celtic’s recent performance, particularly their strong conclusion in the first leg. After Bayern took a 2-0 lead through goals from Michael Olise and Harry Kane, Daizen Maeda managed to pull one back, lifting spirits within the squad.
“I’ve never been more proud of this team, which demonstrates incredible mentality and professionalism,” he reflected. “If we display that level of commitment, we know we have a fighting chance.”
The Celtic manager underscored the importance of seizing the moment. “As long as we give our best effort, we can accept that we were simply outplayed by a better team. The real regret would be to enter the match not fully prepared or to show up too late,” he noted.
Rodgers is confident in his team’s ability to perform at their peak. “Previous matches have shown that if we operate at our best and the opposition is slightly off, we can capitalize on that weakness,” he stated.
Having reached this stage of the competition, Celtic is aware they will face elite teams. “Bayern is composed of world-class talent; thus, our focus will be on our collective performance,” he added. “While many view us as the underdogs, we remain determined to compete vigorously. If we can play to our full potential, making the matchup challenging for Bayern is within reach.”
Source
www.bbc.com