GLASGOW (AFP) – Bayern Munich took a major step towards the Champions League last 16 as Michael Olise’s thunderbolt and Harry Kane’s clinical finish secured a 2-1 win at Celtic in the play-off round first leg on Wednesday.
Vincent Kompany’s side dominated the first half and a stunning strike from Olise gave them a deserved lead before Kane maintained his red-hot scoring streak after the interval.
Daizen Maeda netted in the closing stages to give Scottish champions Celtic hope of a miraculous escape act in the second leg.
The Japan forward was only playing after his two-game ban was unexpectedly reduced on appeal this week following his red card against Young Boys.
But Bundesliga leaders Bayern will still be favourites to advance to the last 16 when Celtic visit Munich on February 18. Celtic finished just three points behind Bayern in the league phase, yet there is a huge gulf between the clubs’ European pedigree.
Six-time European champions Bayern lead the Bundesliga by eight points, while Celtic are attempting to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2012-13.
For the first 70 minutes that chasm in quality was clear to see before Bayern eased up in the closing stages, nearly allowing Celtic back into the tie as a result.
Celtic’s first defeat in 33 home matches across all competitions was a welcome confidence boost for Bayern, who had shown a weakness on the road in league phase defeats at Barcelona, Aston Villa and Feyenoord.
Celtic thought they had preyed on that weakness when former Bayern forward Nicolas Kuhn fired home from 20 yards inside the first minute, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside against Adam Idah. Bayern could have been swept away by the tidal wave of noise cascading down from the Parkhead stands.
But Kompany’s men are too experienced for that and they quickly seized control with a steady diet of possession.
