Bayern Munich Faces Crucial Champions League Playoff Return Leg Amidst Uncertainty
With the Bundesliga title race potentially hanging in the balance, Bayern Munich’s disappointing goalless draw with Bayer Leverkusen has raised questions about their readiness for the Champions League knockout stages.
Ahead of Tuesday’s home leg against Celtic, where a 2-1 first-leg victory in Glasgow provides a comfortable cushion, Bayern’s performance in Leverkusen has ignited concerns about their current form. While manager Vincent Kompany remains publicly confident, the team’s lack of attacking intent and reliance on pure defense has sparked internal debates about their capabilities.
Bayern’s formidable home record in European competition and meticulous preparation for the Celtic clash suggest they remain strong favorites to progress. However, the ongoing physical and mental toll of their relentless schedule is becoming evident, with key players like Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane struggling for freshness.
Kompany hinted at possible squad rotation for the Celtic return leg, acknowledging the need to rest some players for the upcoming challenging Bundesliga fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart.
The Champions League draw on Friday will determine Bayern’s potential opponents in the round of 16, with familiar foes Bayer Leverkusen and Diego Simeone’s obdurate Atlético Madrid among the most daunting options.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic emphasized the importance of a positive performance against Celtic: "It’s not the Bayern DNA to play for a draw."
"We can certainly play better football," admitted sporting director Christoph Freund. "But the priority was to maintain our significant lead in the Bundesliga."
Despite the result in Leverkusen, Bayern’s players remain focused on their European quest. Thomas Müller summed it up: "We can tick this game off as a decent result. We have an eight-point lead in the league and have the chance to progress in the Champions League at home. We have a lot to do, but we’ll keep going."
However, the packed February schedule has proven to be a strain on Bayern, who, like their victorious Bundesliga rivals Leverkusen, had hoped to avoid the additional matches in the knockout rounds.
Musiala, whose contract extension until 2030 was expected to provide a morale boost, has been visibly fatigued and has struggled to produce the inspirational performances that have become his trademark.
Against Celtic, Bayern must rediscover their attacking flair and deliver a convincing display that can dispel lingering doubts about their status as a top European team. With Bayer Leverkusen and Atlético Madrid looming as potential obstacles in the round of 16, the pressure is mounting on Kompany and his players to prove their mettle.
