Recently, Bayern Munich defeated Werder Bremen 3-0, maintaining their top spot in the Bundesliga and preparing for their Champions League play-off against Celtic. Bayern have been strong on the road, winning 8 of their last 10 away matches. Both teams were in good form, each winning 4 of their last 5 games. Celtic, unbeaten in their previous 10 home matches, came into the game with confidence after winning the Scottish Championship, holding a 13-point lead over second-place Rangers. They hoped their domestic success would translate into a strong performance in the Champions League, with the match against Bayern seen as an opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage.
However, when facing a strong opponent like Bayern Munich, statistics didn’t matter much. The match unfolded in a one-sided fashion, and the "Bavarian Beast" easily overpowered their opponent on the road.
Bayern Munich faced an early scare but bounced back to secure a 2-1 win over Celtic in the first leg of their Champions League play-off. Just 25 seconds in, Celtic almost found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed. Bayern quickly regained control, though Celtic's defense held firm against the constant pressure. The breakthrough came in the 45th minute when Olise fired a precise shot past goalkeeper Schmeichel to give Bayern a 1-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Bayern came out aggressive, and in the 49th minute, Kimmich delivered a perfect cross that Harry Kane finished with a close-range strike, doubling the lead to 2-0. With nothing to lose, Celtic pushed forward, and in the 79th minute, Maeda pulled one back to make it 2-1. Despite seven minutes of added time, Celtic couldn't find an equalizer, leaving Bayern with a strong advantage heading into the second leg at home.
Bayern's solid first-leg performance gives them a great chance to advance, but their ultimate goal remains the championship. The "Bavarian Beast" is on the prowl, and it will be interesting to see how long they can keep roaring.
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