Arne Engels may only be 21 years old, but his performance against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night suggested a maturity beyond his years.
The Belgian midfielder was one of Celtic’s standout performers in their 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park, showcasing composure in possession, tenacity in the duels, and a willingness to compete with some of Europe’s elite midfielders.
In a game where Celtic spent long spells without the ball, Engels was relentless in his pressing, constantly looking to disrupt Bayern’s rhythm while also trying to drive the team forward when the opportunity arose.
Despite the defeat, Engels believes the experience gained from facing opponents of this calibre will be invaluable for his growth as a player.
Speaking to CeltsAreHere after the match, Engels admitted he is still in a learning phase but remains confident that he’s developing well in Brendan Rodgers’ system.
“There are still some things that I need to improve. I’m only 21 years old so that’s normal.
“I think I’m showing that I’m capable of doing things on this level and against really good opponents, so it’s up to me to just analyse every game and to keep on going, keep on working on things that I think I need to improve on and what they also tell me to improve on.
“It’s up to me to keep on doing the same things that I’m doing so it will improve.”
Engels’ task on the night was daunting. Bayern Munich lined up with a high-quality midfield unit led by Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala. Yet Engels was unfazed, regularly breaking up play and showing a willingness to get on the ball.
Alongside captain Callum McGregor, Engels provided structure and energy as Celtic looked to contain Bayern’s attacking threats while also launching counter-attacks when possible.
The step up from the Bundesliga with Augsburg to a Champions League knockout tie against Bayern Munich is significant, but Engels appeared to thrive in the occasion.
