Match Report: Celtic Secure Solid Draw Against Atalanta in Champions League | OneFootball

Atalanta and Celtic Battle to Stalemate in Champions League Showdown

In the often cut-throat world of the UEFA Champions League, where goals are typically as plentiful as the stars in the sky, a scoreless draw might seem an anomaly. Yet, when Celtic travelled to Bergamo to face a formidable Atalanta side, the match unfolded as a masterclass in defensive tenacity. Last season’s Europa League victors, Atalanta, found themselves frustrated by a Celtic team who, despite their underdog status, emerged with a point that tasted as sweet as victory.

Having faced defeat in all their prior outings on Italian soil in the Champions League, Celtic’s resolve was tested under intense pressure from Atalanta. Nonetheless, they held firm, bolstering their campaign to advance beyond the group stages. This result has added a significant feather to their cap, especially following a string of less fortunate performances away from home.

Photo: IMAGO

Goalkeepers Shine Under the Spotlight

Kasper Schmeichel, in particular, stood out with a series of crucial saves that kept Celtic in the game. Atalanta, despite creating numerous scoring opportunities, could not convert their dominance into goals. The post-match statistics highlighted a glaring lack of cutting edge, with Atalanta racking up an xG (expected goals) of 1.71 in the first half alone, reflecting a high probability of scoring that astonishingly did not materialise into actual goals.

Celtic’s Strategic Adaptations Pay Off

This encounter showcased a distinct tactical evolution for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers. After a punishing 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Rodgers’ men displayed far greater composure and organisation. Adam Idah, starting ahead of Kyogo Furuhashi, played a pivotal role upfront by providing an outlet for Celtic to alleviate pressure. In the heart of the defence, without Cameron Carter-Vickers, both Liam Scales and Auston Trusty put in commendable shifts that underpinned the team’s overall resilience.

The midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Arne Engels, and Reo Hatate also deserves accolades for their indefatigable efforts, ensuring that the team kept its shape and minimised costly mistakes.

Atalanta’s European Ambitions Checked

For Atalanta, this match was a continuation of their solid performances on the European stage, following an impressive Europa League triumph last year. They have adapted well to the rigours of the Champions League, managing a draw against Arsenal and a victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in their earlier fixtures. However, their inability to convert chances into goals was evident and could be a concern if they aim to replicate last season’s deep run in European competitions.

The hosts will rue their missed chances, especially as they dominated possession and territorial advantage. As the match wore on, Celtic’s dogged defence continued to stifle Atalanta’s advances, leaving the home fans in Bergamo longing for a breakthrough that never came.

Looking Ahead in the Champions League

With this draw, Celtic have ended a drought of 85 major European games without a scoreless result, a streak going back to a 2012 clash against Benfica. As they prepare for their upcoming fixtures, this performance will surely be a psychological boost, particularly with two consecutive home games on the horizon.

For Atalanta, the journey doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Stuttgart next. They will need to find a solution to their finishing woes if they are to pose a serious threat to their future opponents in the tournament.

Both teams have shown that they can compete at this high level, and as the group stages progress, their resilience and tactical acumen will be tested further. But for now, Celtic can take great pride in a hard-fought point earned away from home, a rare achievement that will be savoured.