Celtic head to Munich on Tuesday night knowing they have a mountain to climb if they want to overturn their 2-1 first-leg defeat to Bayern, but had it not been for a successful appeal, things could have been even worse.
Daizen Maeda was originally set to miss the first leg at Celtic Park after UEFA hit him with a one-game ban for endangering an opponent following his red card against Young Boys in the group stage. However, Celtic appealed the additional match suspension and won, allowing the Japanese forward to play in the first leg—a decision that helped keep the Hoops in the tie.
How Did Celtic Win the Appeal?
Hugh Keevins, speaking on Superscoreboard on Saturday, revealed that the wording of the referee’s report may have been the key reason UEFA decided to overturn the extra match ban.
“Apparently the use of the word ‘assault’ in the referee’s report that allowed Celtic’s legal team to say, assault? Really? And UEFA have had a look and decided that is not assault.”
With UEFA accepting that the wording of the charge was too harsh, Maeda’s ban was lifted, making him available for the first leg against Bayern. Everyone who watched the incident can agree it’s not even remotely near an ‘assault’.
Maeda’s Impact in the First Leg
His presence proved crucial, as Maeda scored Celtic’s only goal in the 79th minute, setting up a tense finish at Celtic Park. His relentless pressing and energy were instrumental in pushing Bayern back in the closing stages, and his goal gave Celtic a small glimmer of hope heading to Germany.
Without that goal, Celtic would be facing an even steeper challenge in Munich. Now, at just one goal behind, there is at least a chance to make something happen—even if Bayern remain heavy favourites to progress.
Selection Dilemma for Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers has a major tactical decision to make. In the first leg, Adam Idah started as the central striker, with Maeda out wide. However, after the Irishman was subbed off in the second half, Celtic looked far more dangerous with Maeda playing through the middle.
Does Rodgers persist with Idah as the target man, or does he unleash Maeda centrally from the start, hoping his pressing and pace can cause Bayern problems?
A Historic Night on Amazon Prime
The second leg will be the first-ever match involving a Scottish club to be streamed live on Amazon Prime in the UK, marking a new chapter for Scottish football broadcasting.
Celtic have nothing to lose and everything to gain in Germany. Thanks to Maeda’s impact in the first leg—made possible by the successful appeal—the Hoops aren’t out of this tie yet. Now, the challenge is to go to Munich and find another moment of magic.
