Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has named his Hoops starting XI as Celtic look to overturn a one-goal deficit against Bayern Munich at the Allianz tonight.
Celtic go into the game 2-1 down, having lost at Celtic Park six days ago against Vincent Kompany’s side. However, in the last quarter of that match, the Hoops were on top, leading to hope that they can do the impossible in Munich tonight.
Having made five changes in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Dundee United, Rodgers rested a number of players.
The Irishman now faces a decision—whether to stick with the team that started at Celtic Park last Wednesday, despite their inefficiency, or go with a lineup similar to the one that finished the match, with substitutes Jota, Yang Hyun-jun, and Jeffrey Schlupp all making a positive impact.
It’s a game that could really be an special one for Rodgers and Celtic if he gets the approach right. Supporters have debated whether to attack Bayern from the outset or defend strongly and wait to attack in the last 20 minutes of the game.
For Rodgers, he will know the approach he is set on. The Irishman is an experienced coach, and although no one expects a win tonight, a positive performance will make Scotland proud, as the Hoops so often do.
Here is your Celtic Starting XI to face Bayern Munich:
🟢⚪️ Tonight’s XI!
The starting lineup is confirmed for the second leg in Munich.
#UCL | #BayernMünchenCeltic | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/wltdPe8zWL— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 18, 2025
Jeffrey Schlupp starts over Greg Taylor in a surprise decision from Rodgers. With Schlupp’s position introduction off the bench last Wednesday and his impressive showing against Dundee United, it means he has been favoured over Taylor, who looks set to leave the Hoops in the summer.
The Celtic front three is where the debate has really been raging over the weekend, with Jota starting on the left and Daizen Maeda starting up top. Adam Idah is on the bench alongside Taylor, with Idah and Yang Hyun-jun as options off the bench to change the game in the second half.
Tonight’s game is live on Amazon Prime, and kick-off is at 8pm.
