What the German newspapers are saying about Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich

After another European night at Celtic Park, the German media was effusive in its praise for the atmosphere in Glasgow’s east end. Here’s a quick round-up of what the German newspapers are saying...

Express highlighted the atmosphere in Celtic Park, adding: “Celtic showed the anticipated passion. However, because of a lack of class and quality, and Javi Martinez in defensive midfield who had an outstanding game, many of their attacks were thwarted.”

They quoted Jupp Heynckes after the match: “We knew this would be a very difficult and intense game. We had good passages of play but also some in which we struggled. The priority was to reach the knockout stages. We did that today.”

Abendzeitung quoted Bayern defender Niklas Sule as saying: “It was a very close game with a lucky victory for us,” with Arjen Robben adding: “You don’t often experience an atmosphere like that, you have to enjoy it.

“It was outstanding, but more importantly, we won today.

“It was not our best game, but it was our third game in six days. We just have to be happy with the win.”

In Der Tagesspiegel, Sven Goldmann wrote: “Celtic Park is perhaps the most beautiful stadium in Europe; atmospheric, steep and narrow. It’s too bad that [Celtic] are not as big as they once were.”

Also in Der Tagesspiegel, Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich is quoted as saying: “We knew Celtic would be better today. It was important that we took the lead.”

Many newspapers drew heavily on the atmosphere, with Welt describing it as ‘legendary’.

Bild credited Celtic with starting well, before Kingsley Coman opened the scoring, and made reference to the ‘legendary Celtic fans’.

Martin Schneider, writing for Suddeutsche Zeitung, said: “All the Bayern players raved about the atmosphere. ‘Everyone had goosebumps’, said Niklas Sule.”

Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reportedly described the game afterwards as ‘football in pure culture, like it was in the old days.’