Staff Reporter.
Bayern Munich scored either side of halftime through Michael Olise and Harry Kane but had to endure late pressure from hosts Celtic before securing a 2-1 victory in their Champions League playoff first leg on Wednesday.
Olise’s stunning shot in the 45th minute put the German side in front and Kane doubled the lead with a 49th-minute volley at the far post.
Celtic cut the deficit in the 79th minute thanks to Daizen Maeda’s close-range header to inject late drama into the match.
Bayern defended well as Celtic poured forward and needed a fine save from keeper Manuel Neuer in stoppage time to hold on to victory ahead of Tuesday’s return leg in Munich to decide a place in the round of 16.
Meanwhile Benfica took a big step towards the Champions League last 16 with a 1-0 victory at 10-man AS Monaco in the first leg of the playoffs.
Best performance in the knockout phase play-offs so far? 🌟#UCL pic.twitter.com/YoegV0oChS
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 13, 2025
Elsewhere a goalkeeping howler handed Feyenoord a 1-0 home win over AC Milan in an action-packed first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff tie on Wednesday, just two days after the Dutch club fired their coach.
