Celtic in Munich: "Everything is possible," Brendan Rodgers

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Q: I just wondered what lessons have you learned from the Dortmund game, for this game here in Munich?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think you can’t become too emotional at this level. And I think that was clearly what happened in the performance in Dortmund. I think in the Dortmund game, we chased the game. We went behind them. As I said, we had scored early on. And the lessons that we learned from that, of course, no one planned to be stable and steady and compact.

“We showed that if you’re not that, and you go off pace as such, then you can get really, really punished. I think that’s been a big learning for us from that game, that you’re not tight and you’re not stable and you’re not compact and you’re not concentrated, and you leave space for world-class players, you’ll get punished.

Jota of Celtic reacts to missed opportunity Celtic v Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League, Knockout Round Play-offs, First Leg at Celtic Park on 12 February 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

“So we were able to learn from that, step back, go away, and it’s the mark of the group. We’re a humble group. We had to take that on the chin. And we came away and had some really good performances after that. So yeah, and then we’ve taken it into our games at Atalanta and other games where we’ve been calm in our defence. So that’s what you need to be at this level. You need to be in balance and have that calmness to your defending, but also then provide that threat with the ball. So hopefully we can see that tomorrow.”

Q: Just want to go on to your team, your line-up. Is Jota fit enough to start the game?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, yeah. If we decide that’s what we need to do, he can start the game. There’s no doubt he’s working his way back to his highest level physically in terms of how I want the team to press. But there’s no doubt he can look after the ball. And in arenas like this here, you need players that can take the ball and look after it. So he’s a wonderful player. I’ve seen the talent in close-up. I’ve seen him in games. And there’s just a bit more when he’s back to that highest level. And if I need him to start, he’s ready to start.”