Celtic may have fallen short against Bayern Munich, but one player who stood tall throughout the 90 minutes was Arne Engels. The Belgian midfielder was composed in possession, aggressive in the duels, and showed real quality in the heat of a Champions League knockout tie.
In a game where Celtic had to do a lot of chasing without the ball, Engels’ work rate and ability to stand up to Bayern’s elite midfielders was a big factor in keeping the game competitive. He finished the night with 5 duels won, including a perfect 4/4 on the ground and 1/1 in the air, proving he could mix it physically against top opposition. He was also never dispossessed—an impressive feat against a team that thrives on pressing.
Composed Under Pressure
Bayern dominated possession, leaving Celtic with just 35% of the ball in the first half. Despite the lack of control, Engels still managed to complete 28 of his 40 passes (70%), including seven passes into the final third, showing his willingness to keep Celtic ticking over and push the team forward when possible.
While no assists or shots came his way, he still created two chances and ended the game with a 0.14 xA (expected assists) rating, proving his ability to unlock space in a tough game.
Aggression Without Recklessness
Celtic had to dig deep defensively, and Engels was one of the few who matched Bayern’s physicality in midfield. He won 2 out of 3 tackles and made four defensive actions, including a key headed clearance. Importantly, he never dove into rash challenges or committed any fouls, a sign of his growing maturity at this level.
He was also involved in the game’s most controversial moment—the VAR penalty decision. After appearing to be brought down in the box, the referee was advised to check the monitor, only to wave away Celtic’s claims. Had the penalty been awarded, Engels could have played a crucial role in changing the tie.
A Performance to Build On
Engels may still be adapting to life at Celtic, but his performance against Bayern showed exactly why Rodgers has put so much faith in him. He didn’t look out of place against some of Europe’s best midfielders, and with the second leg at the Allianz Arena next week, he will need to produce another big display if Celtic are to have any chance of pulling off an upset.
For a young player in his first Champions League campaign, this was a huge step forward—one that suggests Celtic have a real talent on their hands.
