Brendan Rodgers expressed his “immense pride” at Celtic’s showing at the Allianz Arena, after a goal in stoppage time by Alphonso Davies denied the Scottish champions extra time in their Champions League playoff against Bayern Munich.
Celtic led the second leg of their playoff tie 1-0 after Nicolas Kühn’s 63rd-minute goal and caused their hosts all manner of problems. Bayern scraped through 3-2 on aggregate but Celtic took the plaudits.
Related: Davies’ late strike for Bayern breaks Celtic hearts in Champions League
“We have to remember this is Bayern Munich,” Rodgers said. “I thought we were outstanding in the game. We played without any fear. In the first half we created really good chances, second half we had to defend a bit more but we knew the game plan. It never looked like we would concede the goal that we did.
“I can only take immense pride from the performance. The guys gave everything. European credibility was always going to be important for us this season. We have learnt some lessons along the way and played some amazing football along the way. This allows us to build. My unswerving plan is to make this a seasoned club at this level. We ran a team that will see themselves as potential finalists very, very close. What the players gave to the game will stay with them.”
Rodgers refused to dwell heavily on an incident before Bayern’s crucial goal, when Daizen Maeda appeared to be caught by the arm of Dayot Upamecano. Celtic’s manager felt Maeda displayed an element of “inexperience” by not staying on the ground following the clash.
Vincent Kompany, the Bayern head coach, believes his team’s hectic schedule played a part in their disappointing performance. “It doesn’t really matter how you get through,” Kompany said.
“I have to see this in context. We didn’t do that well in the first half, we were better in the second. My players gave me everything.”
Harry Kane was withdrawn at half-time. “I can’t say how long he is going to be out,” Kompany said of the England captain.
The Belgian coach said Kane felt a “sensation” during the opening half and believed he would be “unable to help the team” during the second period. Kane will be properly assessed by Bayern’s medical department on Wednesday.
