Champions League: Bayern Secures Victory Over Celtic, Feyenoord Triumphs Against Milan in First Leg
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Synopsis
In the latest Champions League action, FC Bayern defeated Celtic 2-1, taking a lead into the second leg. Feyenoord also secured a 1-0 victory over Milan. Bayern's Harry Kane made history with his 60th UEFA goal, while Benfica edged past Monaco with a single goal.
Key Takeaways
- FC Bayern leads the play-off after defeating Celtic 2-1.
- Harry Kane reached a milestone with his 60th UEFA goal.
- Feyenoord secured a narrow win against Milan.
- Benfica overcame Monaco despite being down a man.
- Vincent Kompany emphasizes the importance of discipline in defense.
Glasgow, Feb 13 (NationPress) FC Bayern achieved a 2-1 victory against Celtic on Thursday (IST), setting the stage for the second leg of their Champions League play-off in Munich next Tuesday.
Michael Olise provided Bayern with the lead just before half-time. Harry Kane followed up with a stunning volley in the second half, making him the first English player to net 60 goals in UEFA club competitions. This ensured Bayern carried a lead into next week's match after their 2-1 triumph.
The home team saw their deficit reduced when Daizen Maeda scored with ten minutes remaining, but Bayern secured the well-deserved win.
"It’s a victory, yet it’s merely half-time. Typically, Celtic loses very few home matches in European tournaments. We are pleased to take this result. We are also strong at home and are eager for next Tuesday," stated Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.
"The initial phase of the match was less than ideal, but we defended with remarkable discipline, even during challenging moments when they brought on an additional striker.
"We remained solid until the end and rightfully earned the victory. We frequently win games and we aim to maintain this momentum," added Kompany.
In other action, Feyenoord secured a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg against the seven-time champions Milan, showcasing a commendable performance. The Eredivisie team took the lead just three minutes in when Mike Maignan failed to secure Igor Paixao’s precise shot after the winger cut in from the left.
The dynamic Brazilian was central to Feyenoord's offensive efforts, hitting the crossbar with a curling attempt ten minutes before the break and narrowly missing with a bold long-range effort in the second half.
In another match, Vangelis Pavlidis scored his sixth goal in five Champions League games, leading Benfica to a 1-0 win over Monaco, who were down to ten men.
The game ignited shortly after the break when Pavlidis outpaced Mohammed Salisu and delicately lobbed the ball over Monaco goalkeeper Radosław Majecki from a tight angle.
The hosts went down to ten players in the 52nd minute as Al Musrati received a second yellow card, yet the visitors couldn’t take advantage of their numerical superiority to extend their lead.
