Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is cautious of Celtic’s European record on home soil as both sides prepare to face each other in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoffs on Wednesday, Afrosport reports.
The Bavarians finished the league phase in 11th place just one point shy of an automatic qualification spot into the round of 16 while the Bhoys ended in 21st spot.
With qualification into the round of 16 proper at stake, home advantage could prove crucial for Celtic on their turf where Kompany recalls when he made his European debut while playing for Anderlecht during the 2003-04 season.
“I remember it being a special night and I don’t want to drag too much nostalgia into it, but I think I was fortunate to play poorly because I remember that Sir Alex Ferguson came to watch me that night and if I would have played a good game, maybe he might have come in with a bid for me at the time,” the Belgian said.
“So I’m really happy that I ended up on the blue side of Manchester. But in the end, you know, it’s…I was a young player and that was a first experience for me. And I think later in your career you sort of, like I said, look forward to these moments. If you can pick moments where you want to play and show your best football is those moments. It’s obviously tough.
“That’s why the home record is strong from Celtic, but that makes the appetite as well bigger to be in those games.”
🗣️ 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗞𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱: 💬
“Celtic has a strong tradition in the Champions League. We give them the respect they deserve. But we also have a great team, and as long as we understand how big and important this match is, we will… pic.twitter.com/MtehsIKpWS
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) February 11, 2025
Celtic have won four of their last five Champions League games at Parkhead (D1) while Bayern have lost three of four away games in the premier competition this season.
Defeat in Glasgow will be the first time the German giants have lost four games on the road in a single season in any major European competition.
