Celtic v Bayern Munich – talking points

Celtic take on German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Bundesliga leaders won 3-0 when the teams met at the Allianz Arena earlier in the month and here, Press Association Sport looks at the talking points ahead of the Group B clash at Celtic Park.

Can the Hoops hope to avenge the Allianz Arena?

The Scottish champions were outclassed against Jupp Heynckes’s side earlier in the month.

Goals from Thomas Muller, Joshua Kimmich and Mats Hummels gave the home side a comfortable victory.

The German side trail big-spending French club Paris St Germain by three points and look to keep on their tail.

However, injuries to Robert Lewandowski, Juan Bernat, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Franck Ribery have weakened Bayern and must surely give Brendan Rodgers’ side hope.

There’s little real belief that the Scottish champions – with three points from nine – can make the knockout stages but on a big night at Celtic Park anything can happen as Barcelona, AC Milan and Manchester United, among others, have discovered.

Who will lead the line for Bayern?

Main attackers Muller and Lewandowski are out injured which gives Bayern boss Heynckes a selection headache.

The Poland international came off late in the first half after scoring in their 2-0 win over RB Leipzig on the weekend and he has not travelled with the squad to Glasgow.

The 29-year-old was replaced by midfielder Arturo Vidal and the Bundesliga giants played without a recognised striker in the second half.

Talking about his heavy workload, previously Lewandowski said: “At this moment there is no other option. We do not have a back up in my position.”

Kingsley Coman was out injured but the France international is available, while James Rodriguez could fill in.

Striking dilemma return for Rodgers

Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele are both fit and vying for the centre-forward slot. The Scotland striker has had the jersey for most of the season due to the 21-year-old Frenchman’s injury problems.

However, Dembele – reportedly pre-selected by France boss Didier Deschamps for next month’s friendly matches against Wales and Germany – looks to be back to his best.

He showed his prowess when he came off the bench to score a brace in the 4-2 Betfred Cup semi-final win over Hibernian at Hampden Park and then grabbed another double when he started in the 3-0 win over Ladbrokes Premiership title rivals Aberdeen last Wednesday night.

Rodgers brought Griffiths back into a much-changed Hoops side for the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday and he responded with a fine finish in the 1-1 draw, as Dembele joined him in attack in the latter stages. However, the former Liverpool boss prefers to start with one spearhead and it is a dilemma that most managers in Scotland could only dream of having every week.

How will Rodgers set up his defence?

Dedryck Boyata remains the only fit, regular centre-half at Celtic Park as Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko continue working to get back from injury.

The Belgian international was rested against Killie at the weekend and Rodgers went with 19-year-old Kristoffer Ajer alongside midfielder Nir Bitton in the centre of defence.

Against Bayern in the Allianz Arena, Boyata partnered Sweden international Mikael Lustig with Cristian Gamboa taking over at right-back and the Hoops defence was ill at ease all night.

Whoever Rodgers brings in to partner Boyata will be tested, albeit Bayern’s injury worries in attack may lessen the load.