Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has shared his thoughts on the impact of Daizen Maeda’s suspension for Wednesday night’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
Maeda received a red card in Celtic’s clash with Young Boys in January at Celtic Park, resulting in a two-game ban in the Champions League. Wednesday’s match will mark the second and final game of his suspension.
UEFA classified Maeda’s red card as ‘assaulting another player,’ a decision that many disagreed with, leading to the two-game ban instead of the expected one-game suspension.
Rodgers highlighted the significance of Maeda’s absence, especially given the Japanese winger’s recent form. Over the past six days, Maeda has scored six goals and provided an assist in three games, including a hat-trick in his latest outing.
Rodgers said: (Premier Sports), “I think he’s a massive miss. But the reality, when you see that, pace will always hurt you. He’s just so explosive. If you watch his third goal there, the wing-back probably thinks he has him.
“I was really pleased with him and Yang’s goals because we always talk about getting on the move and said before about tracking the game and running with it, then that little bit of explosive speed to get in and get his hat-trick.
“He is a miss, of course, because of his intensity and he’s worked great, and now what we’re getting is consistent goals from him. But, okay, we have to accept that, and now we get to play Jota instead.”
While Jota is a more than capable replacement, Maeda has been in sensational form recently, reaching a level of performance that few at the club have achieved. Aspects of his game that were previously criticized, such as his first touch and final ball, have significantly improved.
Since Rodgers’ return to Celtic, Maeda, like many others in the squad, has elevated his game. The winger will be hoping that the second leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena remains competitive, as his current form makes him a formidable threat, even against a side managed by Vincent Kompany.
For now, however, Celtic and Rodgers will have to navigate Wednesday night’s match at Celtic Park without Maeda’s contributions.
