Brendan Rodgers calls Atalanta ‘one of the favourites’ for the Champions League | OneFootball

Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers labelled Atalanta ‘one of the favourites’ to win the Champions League this season after his side came away with a 0-0 draw on what was a frustrating evening for Gian Piero Gasperini and his players.

Atalanta had 22 attempts over the 90 minutes, but only six ended up on target and La Dea were often thwarted by a strong Celtic defence. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel also spoke of his pride in the defensive display after full-time.

Rodgers holds Atalanta in high regards

Rodgers, speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle in Bergamo, said explained why it was so satisfying for his side to come away with a point away from home,

“We said before the game we knew the level that we were playing against. We were playing against a team that are the highest goalscorers in Italian football and one of the favourites for this competition.”

Celtic had not picked up a single point away from home in the Champions League in seven years before Wednesday night’s game.

“To come here and keep a clean sheet, it was a brilliant defensive performance,” the coach added on the matter.

“To come away to Atalanta, a team of this level, and to have that concentration and to play with that commitment, I was very pleased.”

Celtic have now picked up four points from their first three Champions League matches of the season and currently sit in 22nd place in the standings, although that could change by the end of the evening.