Celtic make point in Champions League by holding Atalanta at arm’s length

There’s no reason to feel ashamed about the enthusiastic Celtic celebration that followed the announcement of a draw in northern Italy. The fact that Atalanta struggled to come up with new strategies as the match progressed was largely due to Celtic's inspiring reaction to the situation in Dortmund earlier in October.

During that humbling evening in Germany, Brendan Rodgers observed his team suffer a crushing 7-1 defeat. The aftermath was monumental, a reaction that seemed obvious to everyone except the Celtic manager. Rodgers claimed that his squad was “smashed over the head with a stick” after the previous season’s runners-up dominated the match. This week, however, no figurative weapons are necessary. Rodgers has responded in the most effective way possible.

Celtic had to demonstrate solid defensive structure, avoid making careless errors when under pressure, and maintain their calm while handling the ball against the Europa League champions. They checked all those boxes. In the post-match interviews, Rodgers was able to share a narrative of recovery and improvement. Fans from Italy would likely recognize and value Celtic's strength and resilience.

Rodgers remarked, "The players displayed incredible bravery. This point is extremely valuable for us. Our defense was outstanding. I've always believed in the players and their mindset. We truly rose to the occasion. This evening provided a significant boost to our confidence."

Gaining four points from three matches, especially considering the quality of two of the opponents, is actually a respectable outcome for Celtic. Brendan Rodgers responded with a smile, throwing a subtle jab at his critics. "I wonder if that was practical enough for some folks," the ex-Liverpool manager remarked. He certainly had the right to make that comment.

The numbers show that Atalanta attempted 25 shots on goal. Fans who closely follow expected goals might argue against the final result. However, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad was notably ineffective in front of the net, which can be attributed in part to Celtic's performance. Many crosses either went over the heads of Atalanta's forwards or were met with a lack of enthusiasm.

Liam Scales and Auston Trusty formed an impressive duo in the center of Celtic's defense. Despite the tense atmosphere, it never felt like Atalanta would snatch a late goal, which was surprising considering the profiles of both teams. With 18 goals scored in eight Serie A matches, Atalanta's inability to find the net highlighted the thrilling unpredictability of the sport.

Atalanta struggled to make their early dominance count in the first half. Despite controlling the play, they failed to find the net. Mario Pasalic had a great chance but shot right at Kasper Schmeichel instead of scoring. Just before halftime, Alistair Johnston made a fantastic block to prevent Ademola Lookman from scoring. The only other chance for Atalanta in the first half was a header from Mateo Retegui, which Schmeichel saved. Meanwhile, Celtic went into the dressing room at halftime facing a 5-1 deficit against Dortmund, which felt like a small victory in comparison. They managed to pose some threats on counterattacks against a team that often allows scoring opportunities.

Just five minutes into the second half, Alex Valle nearly gave Celtic a surprising early goal. However, his shot took a deflection and went just over the bar, with Marco Carnesecchi in a scramble to react. Isak Hien also missed the target with a header, and Marten de Roon's long-distance effort prompted Schmeichel to make a save, as Atalanta tried to quell the growing frustration in the crowd. Unfortunately, that frustration only grew stronger.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s decision surprised many. Just before the 60-minute mark, he took out Retegui, who was the top goal scorer in Italy’s Serie A. Shortly after, Lookman also left the field, unable to make a significant impact against a team that had shown interest in him during his early career. In response, Rodgers substituted Adam Idah with Kyogo Furuhashi. Idah had been an unexpected choice to spearhead the Celtic attack from the beginning. He spent 68 minutes on the sidelines of the action, which he could argue wasn’t entirely his doing. However, Furuhashi’s movement was a clear source of worry for Atalanta.

Gasperini's frustration was growing. Davide Zappacosta aimed for the side netting, while his teammates urged him to make a pass. With 20 minutes left, Celtic faced a challenge that tested both their mental toughness and physical resilience. Valle delivered an excellent long pass to Furuhashi, who unfortunately misjudged his lob attempt over Atalanta's goalkeeper. From that point on, Celtic didn't create any more scoring opportunities, but that seemed to bother them little.

In stoppage time, Hien's shot went just over Schmeichel's crossbar. Celtic realized they had managed to earn a point. The joy from the players in green and white, despite their tiredness, indicated that what happened in this match was significant beyond just the score. "We played it smart," Schmeichel commented.

Regardless of the label, it proved to be quite successful. Celtic is once again aiming for the Champions League. Perhaps Rodgers will find satisfaction in possibly making Dortmund an exception in this season's competition.