Celtic player ratings as Daizen Maeda grabs reprieve with both hands but teammate chasing Bayern shadows
Celtic came up short in their Champions League Knockout Playoff as Bayern Munich secured a 2-1 first-leg lead on another barnstorming European evening at Celtic Park.
Goals from former Premier League stars Michael Olise and Harry Kane had subdued the raucous east end atmosphere, but Daizen Maeda was on hand to bundle home a header from a corner to offer some hope for the home side as they look ahead to next week's return leg at the Allianz Arena.
Celtic thought they had taken a remarkable lead inside the opening 30 seconds as Nicolas Kuhn raced in from the touchline and fired home from the edge of the area, but the flag went up to deny the former Bayern second team player as Adam Idah had obstructed Manuel Neuer's vision from an offside position.
Bayern pressed and probed, but couldn't find the breakthrough until the very last action of the first half as Michael Olise was found on the right hand side. The French winger cut inside, with a fortunate deflection off Greg Taylor and sent a howitzer of a strike past Kasper Schmeichel in the Celtic goal. Brendan Rodgers' side found themselves two behind minutes into the second half, as Harry Kane found himself all alone at the back post to cushion a volley past a helpless Schmeichel. Maeda headed home to offer a lifeline but they still have it all to do.
Here's how Record Sport's Michael Gannon rated the players.
Celtic player ratings
Kasper Schmeichel: Knew he was going to be a busy man and played his part in keeping Bayern at bay at times, with no chance at the goals. 7
Alistair Johnston: Gave a solid account up against a serious talent in Sane but stuck to his task with usual energy and aggression. 7
Cameron Carter-Vickers: Had his hands full with Kane and co but defender deep and bravely at times to make sure his side stayed in it. 7
Auston Trusty: Had a few hairy moments and was involved in a couple of scrapes but generally did well to hang tough when he had to. 7
Greg Taylor: Brutally unlucky with the break of the ball for the opener but ran himself into the ground trying to deal with the wide threat. 6
Callum McGregor: A shift and a half up against Jamal Musiala and it was far from easy, but he kept plugging away and trying to work the ball. 6
Reo Hatate: Scuffed a big chance at 2-0 down but put in a huge shift even when it was hard going to keep up with slick midfield rivals. 6
Arne Engels: Moments of quality but other occasions that required a bit more composure.
Thought he’d won his side a penalty but VAR wasn’t convinced. 6
Daizen Maeda: Major boost having the attacker back and kept Laimer deep, posing threat on the break and then popping up with a goal. 8
Nicolas Kuhn: Raised the roof when he thought he’d struck a quick fire opener but his pace on the counter gave Bayern food for thought. 6
Adam Idah: Was in wrong place at the wrong time for the Kuhn effort and found it hard going chasing shadows all night. 5
Subs:
Jota (for Idah 65) Tough environment to come on to but kept possession and showed quality on the ball. 4
Jeffrey Schlupp (for Taylor 65) Gave Celts good balance towards the end and used his experience. 4
Yang (for Kuhn 77) Lively in the final moments with his quick movement. 3
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BAYERN MUNICH
Neuer; Lahmer; Upamencano; Dier; Guirriero; Goretzka; Kimmich; Olise; Musiala; Sane; Kane.
REFEREE: Jesus Gil Manzano
