Celtic Hosts Bayern in Champions League Showdown on February 12

GLASGOW, Scotland — Celtic F.C. welcomes German giants Bayern Munich to Celtic Park on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff. This match marks a significant challenge for Celtic, who are looking to overcome a tough opponent in hopes of advancing to the Round of 16.

Celtic secured their playoff spot with a narrow 1-0 win over Young Boys in their penultimate group game. However, they face an uphill battle against Bayern, who have an impressive track record against Scottish sides, remaining unbeaten in their last 13 encounters with them in European competitions. The last Scottish team to defeat Bayern was Hearts in the UEFA Cup back in 1989.

Bayern Munich comes into the match with high expectations, having netted 20 goals during the group stage, trailing only Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in scoring. Despite their offensive prowess, they struggled on the road during group play, managing only one win in four matches away from home.

The atmosphere at Celtic Park is expected to be electric as fans rally behind their team. Celtic has received a boost with the return of Daizen Maeda from suspension and Jota, following the departure of top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes. Coach Brendan Rodgers expressed confidence, remarking, “We give them the respect they deserve, but we also have a great team. This match is important to us, and we will be ready to put in a strong performance.”

Bayern has faced challenges of their own, including recent illness affecting their squad. Midfielder Joao Palhinha will miss the clash due to illness, and Alphonso Davies is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Vincent Kompany, Bayern’s head coach, acknowledged the difficulties of playing in front of passionate Celtic fans but is eager to harness that energy in the match.

The two teams will meet again for the second leg in Germany next week. With Bayern regarded as favorites due to their history and rankings, they will need to navigate the tricky conditions at Celtic Park smartly. Both sides aim to establish an advantage in this two-leg playoff.

Kickoff for this highly anticipated match is set for 8 p.m. GMT, providing an opportunity for Celtic to challenge the odds against one of Europe’s elite teams. German striker Harry Kane will look to lead Bayern’s attack as he continues to climb the Champions League scoring charts.

Past encounters between the two clubs suggest a competitive match ahead. In their last meeting during the 2017/18 Champions League season, Bayern edged Celtic with a 2-1 victory at Celtic Park. The stakes are high as both teams seek to make a deep run in the competition, with Bayern aiming for their seventh European title.