The Italian Job – Kasper Schmeichel hails Celtic’s resolute defence

The Celtic Star

·24 octobre 2024

The Italian Job – Kasper Schmeichel hails Celtic’s resolute defence

Kasper Schmeichel hailed his Celtic’s defensive display as the Hoops completed an Italian Job on the Europa League holders in a drizzly Bergamo last night…

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic FC in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Some incredible saves from Kasper

The 37 year-old shotstopper pulled off some incredible saves to keep the game level at half-time following Atalanta’s bombardment on the Celtic goal towards the end of the first 45.

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Celtic had to ride their luck at times with La Dea’s playmaker Mario Paslaic passing up a number of key chances. But, a point in the end was merited for Brendan Rodgers’ side who were resolute, admirably showing a different side to their game.

Alex Valle of Celtic FC competes for the ball with Marten De Roon of Atalanta BC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Ends Celtic’s bruising run of 85 consecutive matches in Europe without keeping a clean sheet

Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made a combined six saves in each of his last two Champions League appearances against Slovan Bratislava, and then Borussia Dortmund. In Bergamo, he became the first Celtic goalkeeper to make as many as six saves and keep a clean sheet in a Champions League match since Magnus Hedman’s performance against Bayern Munich in the 2003/2004 campaign.

Celtic’s bruising run of 85 consecutive matches in Europe without keeping a clean sheet thankfully came to an end in Italy. The shutout of Atalanta, the current top scorers in Serie A this season sums up the maturity of Celtic’s organised performance at Gewiss Stadium.

Champions League table

Sitting in a good position to qualify

Meanwhile, yesterday evening’s point could be an important one come the finale of the Celtic’s Champions League outings. The Hoops currently sit 20th in the new look league format, level on points with PSG and Stuttgart who are above the Celts on goal-difference.

Reaching the top 24 guarantees a play-off tie with a chance of progressing to the last 16. Finishing 25th-36th results in immediate elimination culminating in an exit from all European competitions.

"It was an incredible defence performance" Kasper Schmeichel was proud of his team after their performance tonight 🙌 🎙: Connie McLaughlin
– mercredi 23 octobre 2024

Atalanta BC v Celtic FC – UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC 1907 contrasts with Auston Trusty of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 League Phase MD3 football match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, on October 23, 2024. Bergamo Italy. Photo Roberto Tommasini

When speaking to TNT Sport after the match, star man Kasper Schmeichel lauded his side’s monumental efforts, “I thought it was an incredible defensive performance. When we did have the ball, we did carve out some chances, but it was always going to be tough against a side that I think are the highest scoring team at home in Europe, at least in Italy, I think. So, to come here and get a point is a good point.”

“It was a tough game, we knew it was going to be a tough game coming here, we had to defend for our lives, we did that and I’m very proud of the boys.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 23: (L-R) Kyogo Furuhashi, Liam Scales and James Forrest of Celtic FC salute the crowd at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We took a few less chances in the build-up because of their man-to-man system, we tried to exploit that and I though a couple of times it worked, but it’s always going to be difficult going away from home in Europe against a system that’s so aggressive.”

Accumulating points on the road in the Champions League for the first time since September 2017 will give the players belief that they can be more than competitive in their next five Champions League matches. A transformational performance which showed this talented Celtic team can be defensively astute against top sides.

Conor Spence