Disciplined performance demonstrated Celtic growth

Celtic suffered a 1-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League knockout playoff game last night, but there was plenty to be encouraged by in the performance and tactical maturity on display.

The game offered up few genuine chances, an outcome determined by Celtic, who were refused to expose their defence throughout the match.  By the end of the game, the shot count favoured Bayern by only one attempt.

The goals which were conceded, were not a consequence of in-play tactical failings.  Right on halftime, Olise got a break of the ball off Greg Taylor, before smashing an outstanding shot into the top corner of the goal. Celtic switched off at a corner kick for the second four minutes after the break.  For the bulk of those minutes, both teams were camped inside the Celtic box waiting for two consecutive corners, the first delayed for Auston Trusty to receive treatment.  Defences are prone to switch off after a delay.

Nicolas Kuhn finished a brilliant move 25 seconds into the game by thrashing a shot past Neuer in the Bayern goal.  The goal was correctly chopped off as the ball passed through Adam Idah’s legs, while the striker was in an offside position.  It was the fourth Celtic goal chopped off in the last two home Champions League games.

On another night, Celtic would have been awarded a penalty which Arne Engels foot was stamped on.  VAR took several minutes before asking the referee to review.  The ref seemed struck by indecision and delayed the game further before favouring the German side.

Bayern seemed in control until the final 15 minutes.  For the remainder of the game, including 7 minutes added time, Celtic battered on the Bayern door.  The deluge started when Daizen Maeda nipped in front of Manuel Neuer, rounded the keeper but found the angle too acute to get a shot on target.

This lifted confidence and a few moments later Celtic were back in the tie.  Alistair Johnston met an Engels corner at the front post, Trusty headed the ball goalwards for Yang, who knocked it onto the head of the man of the moment, Maeda, to score from 3 yards.

It was all Celtic now.  Johnston forced a wonderful save from Neuer, Reo Hatate had a shot deflected off the line for a corner, while Jota made the most of his late-game cameo.

It was the most disciplined performance I recall seeing from a Celtic team.  Even chasing the game in the 97^th minute, the ball was always treated with respect.  On one occasion, Cameron Carter-Vickers played left back from 3 minutes following a Celtic corner, rather than sprint back into position and risk leaving a gap.  There has been growth in this Celtic team since early in the campaign, credit to Brendan Rodgers and the players.

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