Yang Hyun-jun shines in Champions League match

Yang Hyun-jun showed good performance, including scoring his first attack point in the UEFA Champions League against the strong Bayern Munich.

On the 13th (Korean time), Bayern Munich won 2-1 against Celtic in the first leg of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League (UCL) tournament playoff at Celtic Park in Glasgow, England.

Although Kim Min-jae was absent due to physical fitness, the 'Korean Derby' was canceled, but Celtic's Yang Hyun-jun was substituted and recorded an assist. The second leg will be held at Bayern's home on the 19th.

Yang Hyun-jun has been in high spirits recently. Yang Hyun-jun, who had been concerned about not being able to play much at the beginning of the season, has been increasing his game appearances since the end of the year and the beginning of the year, and has recently recovered his position by starting every other game. In the previous Scottish Cup match, he had one goal and two assists against Race Rovers, playing the most destructive game of the season. He was on the bench for the Bayern match, preparing to be put in as a joker.

Yang Hyun-joon was put in at the 32nd minute of the second half. He was Celtic's third substitution card, and it was a time when they had already conceded two goals and needed to strengthen their offense. Yang Hyun-joon, who was placed on the right, was given the task of confusing the opponent.

The Yang Hyun-joon effect was immediately apparent. Celtic needed to harass Bayern with stronger pressure and mobility based on superior physical strength. With Yang Hyun-joon's entry, the right-side attack became even more active.

Almost at the same time as Yang Hyun-joon, Bayern also changed their left-back. When Bayern's starting left-back Raphael Guerreiro showed poor performance, Hiroki Ito, who had returned from injury, came in and made his debut for Bayern. A Korea-Japan showdown took place on the flank.

Celtic, who had been trying to make up for it, finally scored a goal in the 35th minute of the second half. They won a corner kick from the right-hand attack that had become more active after Yang Hyun-joon was brought in. The corner kick led to a goal-line melee, and when Yang Hyun-joon pushed the ball that fell in front of the goal to the center like a volley, Maeda headed it in. This was Yang Hyun-joon's first UCL attack point.

In the first minute of extra time in the second half, Yang Hyun-joon delved from the side to the half-space to lure the defense, and Johnston connected the pass he passed to with a shot. If it hadn't gone straight to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, it would have been Yang Hyun-joon's second assist.

Celtic must go on to the second leg against Bayern after suffering a home defeat. It is very difficult to make a comeback. However, by making up for it by one goal, the possibility of a comeback was slightly increased, and Yang Hyun-joon played a big part in this atmosphere. Celtic have more freedom in their domestic league, so they have the advantage of being able to build up their stamina in the weekend game and play in the next game. If manager Brendan Rodgers was impressed by Yang Hyun-jun's performance in the first game, he is more likely to start him in the second game.