I know what you’re thinking. If Queen’s Park can interrupt a run of eight league games which saw them lose six, draw one and win one, by going to Ibrox and winning, Celtic can do the same against similar odds in Munich.
We have a Puncher’s Chance, but it is likely that we will need to look for compensations in areas other than the result tonight. I want to see the defence repeat deploy the same endeavours they did in Bergamo when they withstood an excellent Atalanta side earlier in the campaign.
Seasoned European sides can compress a game into few chances. This attribute will be needed in August’s Champions League qualifier and again in European competition proper. Even if they win, keep the Bayern expected goals stat down to a competitive figure. Don’t repeat the Grand Touring last seen in Dortmund. We should not create an opening in the first five minutes; if we do, be worried.
There might be some learnings from last week. Celtic were mostly careful when progressing the ball out from the back. On one occasion possession was lost on the edge of our box; it was not regained until Bayern were 0-2 ahead. That was the second concession while trying to play out from the back at home in the Champions League this season, Brugge’s goal being the first.
All teams struggle when pressed high up-field, we need to learn to cope with this, or to abandon it in certain circumstances.
I would also like to see the midfield three link better. Arne Engels was too adrift last week. He and Reo Hatate need to always be available for a pass from the back line. If we can do this, there will be space for Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and Jota (when he inevitably comes on) to exploit. Then, we can think about ‘doing a Queen’s Park’.
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It isn’t Monday anymore, it’s match day!
COYBIG
Ps More snow overnight!
Broadsword calling Danny boy
That awkward moment when somebody else says “ we’ve got a punchers chance “
WTF CSC
Aff oot £49.00 dim Tim’s
McPhail Bhoy on 18th February 2025 8:44 am
Big Jimmy and others
The game tonight is also coming up for me on Premier Sports, just in Ireland?
………….
I think its MAYBE ONLY in Ireland ? The Bayern game tonight is NOT LISTED on Premier Sports Schedule as far as I can see.
HH.
The Atalanta match is the obvious one to look it and try to repeat – even then we’ll need some luck.
Valle played at left back against Atalanta and I feel it was no coincidence that we then seen our best away result in Europe in years.
Play Scales or Schlupp at left back. If Taylor starts, Bayern will ruthlessly expose us down that left side.
Is the game available in the US on prime, anyone know?
When you write about our midfield three Paul, my ongoing concern is not with Arne but with Reo (less speedwagon but much more quicksilver).
While we await his occasional flashes of brilliance, we have to endure the repeat possession spills and ineffectual challenges. Yes he cover a lot of ground to keep our shape, but if we play canny is he the ghuy ?
If we’re aiming for disciplined shape and competitive marking rather than continual inventive (but misplaced) passing thru-ba’s, mibby Luke deserves a start in Bernardo’s absence. Try something different; bring on Reo to open the game up later on if we’re still in it?
MIKENESMITH CSC
Rio – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQcYlofO2L8
“we’ve got a punchers chance“
I like how another poster phrased it yesterday (much better than my attempt) – “we’re not even in the same weight division”.
If we land a punch, they will go up the gears and land a few of their own I think.
Still worth having a go though not from the start for me, as much as I loved Kuhn’s goal against them, my first thought after the offside had calmed my celebrations was to try to tell myself if might be for the best after recalling sitting in a pub with a colleague from our London office watching a game against PSG (away?) where we went 1-0 up near early and I upped my estimated defeat from 3/4-0 to 6 or 7-1 as we’d “peeved them off”.
Real Madrid are considering a dramatic exit from La Liga to join a foreign league, according to bombshell reports from Spain.
The Spanish giants are exploring the possibility of seeking ‘asylum’ in another top-flight competition amid escalating tensions with La Liga.
The revelation comes as the club finds itself embroiled in fresh disputes with league president Javier Tebas and match officials over perceived injustices.
Recent tensions escalated after a controversial incident in Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Espanyol, where goalscorer Carlos Romero avoided a red card for a tackle on Kylian Mbappe.
…………..
IF Real Madrid did leave LA LIGA and went to another League that would be great news for Celtic surely ?
Its a BIG BIG ” IF”.
Somehow I cant see it.
HH
Ziggy – I know it’s on paramount+ in the US.
I’ll look later to check Amazon Prime – I’m guessing no.
ziggydoc1 on 18th February 2025 12:09 pm
Is the game available in the US on prime, anyone know?
………
I have NO IDEA Mate, but Ive just read Online that the Bayern v Celtic game is ALSO on TNT SPORTS and CELTIC TV PPV.
So its PRIME for me, and anyone who watches on TNT SPORTS….watch out for McCoist doing the co commentary…..Hopefully NOT !
HH.
“ The men behind the couch “
Likely Brendan side,
Schmeichel
Johnston CCV Trusty Taylor
Engels CalMac Hatate
Kuhn Idah Maeda
Brendan’s probables with the only variable given there are no injuries – Jota? – but reckon BR will remain loyal to the Birmingham starters. Stay in the tie till half time, then we’ll see, if we can score and make the tie competitive despite the difference in resource and player quality.
He’s unlikely to change the ‘design’ ( his favourite new word ) regardless of who the opposition is. Realism shows progress has been made, this is likely to be the end of the road, in this David v Goliath better teams than us take nothing from Munich our path resumes at Easter Rd , more money and buying better players.
TexasTim, thanks. Where do you live in Texas?
BigJimmy, Celtic tv only provide audio for European games.
AMAZON PRIME are calling Bayern Munich ” DIE ROTEN” in their advert for the game tonight ?
Is that some sort of Nick name for Bayern ?
I sincerely hope that Bayern are ” ROTEN” tonight against The BHOYS.
LOL
HH.
ziggydoc1 on 18th February 2025 12:30 pm
TexasTim, thanks. Where do you live in Texas?
BigJimmy, Celtic tv only provide audio for European games.
…………..
Yes, my mistake Mate.
Ive just read Celtic TV and it DOES state ” AUDIO ONLY”.
Its not the 1st mistake that Ive made in my life, and it won’t be the last !
LOL
HH.
ZIGGYDOC1 on 18TH FEBRUARY 2025 12:30 PM
TexasTim, thanks. Where do you live in Texas?
Ziggy – I don’t live in Texas, I just did a Bay City Rollers – just kidding – I live in North Houston.
Been threatening to leave for years but the other States I’ve looked at are having natural disasters all the time. Will probably move North in the future.
‘It’s out of this world’ – Everton fans get first glimpse of new stadium
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm27rjp0emeo
In: Jota, forward (Rennes, undisclosed).
Loan in: Jeffrey Schlupp, midfielder (Crystal Palace).
Out: Kyogo Furuhashi, forward (Rennes, undisclosed); Alexandro Bernabei, defender (Internacional, undisclosed); Aiden Haddow, midfielder (Heart of Midlothian).
Loan ended: Alex Valle, defender (Barcelona).
Loan out: Luis Palma, forward (Olympiakos); Stephen Welsh, defender (Mechelen); Odin Holm, midfielder (Los Angeles); Adam Montgomery, defender (Queen’s Park).
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/draws/
Big Jimmy
Maybe Celtic could offer to replace Real Madrid in La Liga – after all, we are used to crap referee & VAR decisions going against us – it would be water off a ducks back.
Jackiemac from last thread
A hopeless case tonight? :)
Tim Malone Will Tell on 18th February 2025 1:14 pm
Big Jimmy
Maybe Celtic could offer to replace Real Madrid in La Liga – after all, we are used to crap referee & VAR decisions going against us – it would be water off a ducks back.
……………
Si senor.
I am already picking up the Lingo.
LOL.
HH.
Breaking News:
Celtic’s players have been seen in the underground car park at their Munich hotel practising taking penalties.
JustSayin’CSC
Realistically, I hold out almost no hope of a result tonight, at least one that gets us through.
I’m still looking forward to the game in the hope , but not expectation , that we can get to the last 10 minutes and be 0-0 on the night to see if they then panic a little , as they definitely did at CP.
Ps
It does make me laugh that Their horrendous / brilliant defeat to Queens Park has become the reference point for teams overcoming odds which are overwhelming stacked against them, and not just on these pages but widely elsewhere too.
I welcome every one of their new lows with open arms.
gettin nervous now ggh
slow news day.
Conditions are going to be challenging to say the least, Munich is 1,700 feet above sea level and it’ll be four below zero at kick off time and getting colder. Hopefully the team are having porridge instead of pasta for the pre-match meal.
IMHO I would set out a 4-4-2 formation with Engels, McGregor, Bernardo and Hatate across the middle. Maeda and Idah ahead and the defence with Scales and Cameron in the middle, Johnston on the right and Schlupp on the left.
Whoever starts the game they all need to want the ball, that is the key.
rimtimtim on 18th February 2025 2:49 pm
…………..
NO CHANCE of seeing BARNARDO…Hes out injured for FIVE Weeks or so.
rimtimtim on 18th February 2025 2:49 pm
I quite like the 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 cautious approach to help keep it tight, saving Kuhn (and Jota) for a switch to 4-3-3 when we go for it but it would need to be McCowan as Bernardo is still in his moon boot I think and out for another 3-4 weeks still.
I’d also be tempted to go Scales and Trusty as per Atlanta away and save CCV for the switch up later when we might need his pace over Scales strength/height at the back.
Think BR will go as we did before though which nearly worked out.
Big Jimmy,
Die Roten – the Reds…..
Is waterworks all one word or is it spelt with a hydrant?
Wow.
Another level of negativity wrapped up in realism on here today.
We have a tier 1 manager with his own squad now. They are playing as a collective and my sense is they are growing as a team and individuals at this level. We have it all to gain and our opponent has loads to lose.
Like our host I still think we do have a punchers chance tonight.
https://youtu.be/B5qlUSDyACE?si=3TBzKvYB405BeqMa
I see us , celtic , getting slagged for the VIP departures area at the east side of glasgow airport.
Simple logisitics is, you charter your own flights, as a private hire so to speak, well, you depart via that hut like structure. It is not the same as the VIP lounge, and it gives privacy and allows our team to depart without going through the main airport.
Whats wrong with that ?
As to parks busses, i am sure the fans survey called it out fort the 10th thousand time.
We dont like it, but the plc ignores it, i wonder if they get them no charge.
Won’t see game tonight as its my home group meeting.
So getting in early.
Cmon Celtic Let the people sing.
Any win will do.
You never knowCSC
Perhaps Park’s buses are the most affordable and dependable compared to rival companies. Just a thought.
Burnley78 on 18th February 2025 3:30 pm
I would say we have the same chance as an in form Championship side would have against us at Celtic Park.
ie Possible but unlikely.
Tonight, I`ll be rooting for the possible.
Ziggy – I just checked Amazon Prime and it shows the game available on Amazon Prime.
I will stick with Paramount+ as the cover is very good but it looks to be on AP.