Match report as Celtic bounce back from their thrashing in Dortmund to produce a dogged defensive display and hold Atalanta to a stalemate; the Italians rue missed chances as Mario Pasalic becomes just fifth player in 13 seasons to miss five big chances in a single Champions League game
Wednesday 23 October 2024 19:43, UK
Celtic kept their first Champions League clean sheet for seven years as they held Europa League champions Atalanta to a goalless draw in Bergamo.
Brendan Rodgers set his team up to defend deep, keen to avoid a repeat of the 7-1 thrashing at Borussia Dortmund in their last European outing, but this game could have ended in similar fashion had Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic been more clinical.
Pasalic missed five big chances, a feat only four other players had managed in the Champions League since the 2010/11 season, four of those coming in the first half. The midfielder hit the target just once from his six efforts on goal.
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- How the teams lined up | Match stats | Table
Celtic were more comfortable in the second half, despite ceding even more possession to their hosts, in large part because they stopped the flow of crosses from former Chelsea wing-back Davide Zappacosta, who created all his four chances in the first half.
Rodgers’ side are now on four points after three games in the Champions League, which pushes them further away from the elimination places, while Atalanta have five points at the end of gameweek three, sitting just shy of automatic qualification.
More to follow…
