Brendan Rodgers Issues Warning to Bayern Munich Ahead of Champions League Clash
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has issued a warning to Bayern Munich ahead of their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie, stating that the atmosphere at Celtic Park will be “supercharged” and that the home crowd can give his team the edge.
Rodgers, who has been in charge of Celtic since 2016, is well aware of the importance of the home crowd in big European games. He has seen firsthand how the Celtic fans can create an intimidating atmosphere at Celtic Park, and he is counting on them to do the same against Bayern Munich.
“The atmosphere will be supercharged – the backing we get will really drive the players forward and it’s why there’s probably so many of the Bayern Munich players that want to play here,” Rodgers told TNT Sports.
Rodgers also warned Bayern Munich that Celtic Park is not just a venue to come and admire, but a place where opponents can be hurt. “I think what we’ve done over the course of the last couple of seasons, in particular this season, is making it not just a venue to come and admire, but to come and know that you can be hurt in this arena,” he said.
“This is a stadium with an atmosphere and if the players play to their level, they can really hurt you as an opponent. So that’s our aim going into the game. This first leg is at home with our supporters and we want to ensure we’re very much in the tie going over to Germany.”
Rodgers was also full of praise for Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, who he sees as a top-class coach. “I always felt that it was maybe his destiny, but it’s so okay having the knowledge to be a successful coach or manager, but you’ve got to have the passion and professionalism,” he said.
“That’s what I see in Vincent. He was a wonderful player, he would’ve played against the three teams I managed in the Premier League, in Swansea, Leicester and Liverpool. So I know him well as a player. Obviously, he made the early steps into management, going back to Anderlecht, and to Burnley, where he did a really good job of getting them promoted. And then, of course, he gets the opportunity to go to Bayern Munich, one of the super-clubs in the world.”
Rodgers also highlighted the fact that Celtic have already beaten Bundesliga opposition in the competition, following a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig on matchday 4 of the league phase. “We can take huge confidence knowing that we can compete,” he said.
“At this level, I call them ‘belief games’ because you’ve got to go and have that authority and personality at this level. Most players are really good players and really good teams, but when you get to these stages now, you’re coming up against teams that believe they can win it.”
With the match just hours away, Rodgers is confident that his team can give Bayern Munich a run for their money. He knows that the atmosphere at Celtic Park will be electric, and he is counting on the home crowd to give his team the edge.
As the two teams take to the pitch, one thing is certain: it will be a night to remember at Celtic Park. The atmosphere will be supercharged, and the players will be giving it their all in a bid to progress to the next round. It’s going to be a thrilling encounter, and one that will be etched in the memories of the Celtic fans for years to come.