Bayern Munich Achieves Long-Awaited Victory Against Celtic

Vincent Kompany took a brief sip from his glass as he listened to his astonished boss. Following the end of a long winless streak in away matches in the Champions League, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen praised the day as a „great“ and „special“ one for FC Bayern on their path to the knockout stage. However, there was little time for Kompany and his team to celebrate their 2-1 victory over Celtic Glasgow, as they now face a crucial Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen, eyeing the coveted Florian Wirtz.

München’s Title Match

„You want to win trophies,“ Kompany stated confidently as he boarded special flight AZ 8965. Having already left behind their first legitimate away win in the UEFA Champions League since December 2023, the Belgian began to strategize for the upcoming match against Bayer. They hold an eight-point lead over the defending champions, and a victory could solidify their position for the title. Joshua Kimmich remarked, „It was a good game for the spirit.“

Surprising Celebration

Dreesen was taken aback by the team’s quick visit to their banquet in a dimly lit hall. „The team was almost the first to arrive. We have never had that before,“ the 57-year-old commented on the „unusual“ visit. „Clearly, you are eager to return to a calm phase before the tough game on Saturday. When I look into Vincent’s eyes, he agrees with me.“

Post-Match Reflections

Players like Dayot Upamecano, who was named player of the match, enjoyed a brief taste of Lendensteak with whisky pepper sauce or Tandoori chicken before shifting focus to the knockout stage play-off on Tuesday at their home ground, the Allianz Arena. Their victory also provided momentum heading into a high-stakes match against the double champions, who have not lost in their last five competitive games.

Balancing Expectations

Sporting director Max Eberl expressed the desire to carry the positive momentum from their win into the next match. „We want to take this success and a bit of the euphoria with us after winning the first leg of the playoff,“ he said. He also noted the importance of demonstrating resilience after conceding a goal to Daizen Maeda. „You can concede a goal, but you must not lose the momentum,“ Konrad Laimer added. Was this one of the „key moments“ Kompany had anticipated?

Focusing on the Future

After painful losses in previous away matches against Aston Villa (0-1), FC Barcelona (1-4), and Feyenoord Rotterdam (0-3), this win represented a significant turnaround. „We did not collapse. That is important,“ captain Manuel Neuer affirmed. When asked if they should prepare the champagne for a possible title celebration, Neuer responded with a grin, „It is always on ice, but we have to do our part.“

Defensive Standout

At Celtic Park, Upamecano stood out as he expressed happiness over a win in a „tough match in a great stadium.“ Eberl praised the often-criticized defender, stating, „Upa is an outstanding center-back, and he showed that today. When a defender is named Man of the Match, it is significant as it doesn’t happen often.“

Looking Ahead to the Bundesliga Clash

Prior to the crucial match on Saturday, Eberl aimed to temper the excitement surrounding Wirtz, who has been labeled a „dream“ signing by Uli Hoeneß. „We haven’t discussed Florian Wirtz or any player from Leverkusen much. It is inappropriate to bring up such topics before this match,“ Eberl noted.

This wish may not be fulfilled as the upcoming clash may not be the last encounter between Bayern and Bayer this season. If Bayern progresses against Celtic, they might face either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.