Bayern avoid late scare in first leg | OneFootball

The visitors avoided a late scare in Glasgow to claim just their second win out of five in the Champions League this season.

A late goal from Daizen Maeda proved not enough to drag Celtic level and cancel out goals from Bayern's Michael Olise and Harry Kane.

Analysis

With Celtic Park in much-expected fine voice, the decibels raised even higher just 25 seconds in when Bayern academy product Nicolas Kühn sent a fizzing effort from distance flying into the bottom corner.

With the linesman's flag being raised moments later, it was relief for the visitors after Adam Idah drifted in front of Manuel Neuer in an offside position.

Bayern did settle down throughout the half, with Michael Olise looking the most threatening for Die Roten.

Aiming to cause problems on the break, Celtic looked to attack Bayern's left-hand side through Idah and Kühn. However, Vincent Kompany's men were unfazed.

Harry Kane missed the biggest chance of the half in the 43rd minute, sending a free header into the side netting of Kasper Schmeichel's net; however, no less than two minutes later, the away end containing the travelling Bavarian contingent was sent into raptures.

Looking the most likely to break Celtic down in the first half, it was Olise who sensationally opened the scoring. After an excellent touch to beat Callum McGregor, the Frenchman unleashed a rocket of a strike via his ever so deadly left foot to send Bayern into halftime leading by a goal to nil.

Following the goal, the visitors could not have gotten off to a better start to the second period.

From an inswinging Joshua Kimmich corner, Kane found himself in acres of space at the back post where he unleased a perfect volley to send Bayern racing into a two-goal lead.

However, Celtic believed they would have a moment to drag themselves back into the game just five minutes later when a lengthy VAR check produced all the signs of a penalty after contact between Dayot Upamecano and Arne Engels inside the box.

Whilst the defender caught the top of the midfielder's foot, the Frenchman made an all-important touch on the ball, leading referee Jesus Gil Manzano to avoid giving a penalty.

The official VAR explanation revealed that Upamecano had: “Played the ball in a fair manner.”

Following the incident, Celtic continued to create moments of havoc in the final third as they looked to half the deficit, with the biggest being Daizen Maeda's effort trickling wide after rounding Manuel Neuer.

And in the 79th minute, Maeda would get his goal from just three yards out after some excellent work from Austin Trusty to keep a Celtic corner alive. The forward was poised in the centre of the six-yard box to drag the hosts back within one.

With the mood completely shifting in the east-end of Glasgow, the hosts aimed to pile the pressure on with a succession of corners in added time.

Bayern, however, stood tall to see out their first win outside of Germany in this year's competition.

The clubs prepare to go head to head once again in Munich next Tuesday; however before that, Bayern look ahead to a crucial match against title rivals Bayer Leverkusen.