Daizen Maeda: Celtic’s Quiet ‘Machine’ Key to overturn Bayern Munich in Champions League

On By Littum

After Celtic opened their Champions League campaign with a thumping 5-1 win against Slovan Bratislava, manager Brendan Rodger’s praise at Maeda christened.

Former Celtic and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart had used a clip of the 27-year-old who prevented a Slovan counter attack on the BBC Sport’s Champions League highlights.

Maeda chased Slovan’s right -back and center back and won possession.

Rodgers quoted that moment and said he doubted “there’s someone better in world football” by putting the tone off the front.

There are several examples of the Celtic tips doing just that.

In the League Cup final this season he ran down rangers defender Leon Balogun, stole the ball and ran through to score.

Oddly enough, the moment that summarizes his attitude and speed came near the end of a 6-0 drubbing of St. Johnstone in September when Celtic lost the ball in the last third, and he sprinted almost the length of the field to win it back with the game long ago won.

At that time, Rodgers welcomes it on the touch line as much as any goal.

His former coach of Yokohama F Marinos John Hutchinson knew exactly what was coming when Ange Postecoglou recruited him from his old club.

“I’ve never seen a more physical player in terms of speed and repeated sprint than Daizen,” he said in 2022.

“Daizen is a physical beast. You would have no trouble sending him all over Europe because it won’t be a problem for him. He’s a machine.”

According to OPTA Data, only colleague -Vingen Nicolas Kuhn has put more pressure on defenders than Maeda in the Celtics Champions League matches this season, which emphasizes both the players’ significant role without the ball as well as with it.

“He does all the things that you don’t need talent for the highest level: all that ran the press,” Rodgers said before the Bayern clash.

“His willingness to run and run and run is absolutely incredible, and I haven’t worked with too many like that.

“He continues to grow and evolve, and now you see his tranquility when he is ahead of the goal and scores all types of goals. I’m just very, very glad he’s with us.”