BRENDAN Rodgers said Dedryck Boyata should have dealt with goalkeeper Sven Ulreich's long pass which led to Bayern Munich's opening goal on Tuesday night - but the 26-year-old will learn to attack the ball more aggressively in future.
One of the downsides of an otherwise excellent performance by the Scottish Champions at Celtic Park in midweek was the surrender of two soft goals, both of them which could have been cleared with more commanding central defensive play.
First Boyata's hesitancy left Craig Gordon exposed to the pace and trickery of Kingsley Coman then Javi Martinez climbed well to beat Nir Bitton for the headed finish which broke Parkhead hearts.
"If you hesitate at this level you get punished - simple as that," said Rodgers. "Kingsley Coman - if there’s a faster player out there I’ve yet to see him. He makes these runs across the line and if you are indecisive you get punished. But again he will learn.
"He has been brilliant for me since he came in, but it’s a level where you have to go and be aggressive and from that he’ll learn. Just go and head it."
As disappointing as it was to lose such a close match, and one where Celtic perhaps just shaded the chances, Rodgers said the Parkhead side could take plenty from the manner of their defeat.
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“We had a couple of great moves and you could argue we had clearer chances than they had, first half at least," said Rodgers. "They get the goal out of nothing. Then we had a great move where we nearly scored in the six yard box. Then another chance for Stuart where James plays a great ball in and he has to get contact on it. But if you are going to lose a game - and lose it to one of the top five clubs in the world - at least lose it in a way where you can say you can say you are proud of the players and the belief they showed."
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