UEFA Champions LeagueWednesday, October 23,Gewiss Stadium, BergamoATALANTA 0CELTIC 0 Celtic secured an invaluable hard-fought point on the road in the UEFA Champions League against Europa League winners, Atalanta. It was a resilient display from Brendan Rodgers’ side who take the point after a very disappointing night in Dortmund in the previous round of fixtures. The manager had hoped before the game that a good performance would bring a good result and he was correct with a brave defensive display against one of Europe’s top sides. It was Atalanta who began brightly in the Gewiss Stadium with Raoul Bellanova’s tame header at the back post comfortably saved by Kasper Schmeichel. Shortly after, Celtic’s Alistair Johnston picked up an early yellow card in the eighth minute for a foul on Davide Zappacosta in a dangerous area, setting the tone for what had been a physical contest. Celtic responded with a fast counter attack in the ninth minute, as Nicolas Kuhn used his pace to beat Marten de Roon, winning a corner for the visitors in what was a promising moment for the Hoops. However, it was Atalanta who created the biggest chance of the opening stages in the 18th minute when Mario Pasalic’s header crashed off the underside of the bar, much to Celtic’s relief. Celtic found their footing soon after, and Arne Engels had the Hoops’ first shot on target in the 24th minute. The Belgian cut inside and curled an effort towards the bottom corner, only for Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi to push it away. Atalanta nearly responded immediately, but Schmeichel was on hand to deny Pasalic’s low effort from close range. As the half wore on, the Italians continued to pose a threat, with Davide Zappacosta missing a clear chance in the 26th minute after Retegui’s dangerous cross found him inside the box. Celtic’s defence, led by Johnston and Schmeichel, had to withstand a sustained spell of Atalanta pressure. In the 40th minute, Celtic had a half-chance when Daizen Maeda’s low cross was spilled by Carnesecchi, but no Celtic player could react quickly enough to capitalise. Atalanta almost snatched the lead on the stroke of halftime, with Ademola Lookman set to pull the trigger from close range, only for Johnston to make a heroic block to deny a certain goal. From the resulting corner, Schmeichel produced a stunning save to keep out Mateo Retegui’s bullet header, preserving the 0-0 scoreline as both sides went into half-time.Atalanta started the second half strongly, with Mario Pasalic threading a brilliant through ball into the path of Ademola Lookman just three minutes after the restart. Lookman’s low cross was destined to reach Retegui, but Liam Scales came up with a vital interception to deny a certain goal. Celtic quickly countered at the other end, and Alex Valle tested Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi with a deflected long-range strike in the 50th minute, forcing the keeper to tip the ball over the bar. Atalanta continued to press, and in the 55th minute, Isak Hien found space from a corner delivered by Lookman, but his header went wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. Just a few minutes later, Schmeichel was called into action again, saving a low shot from Marten de Roon after a misplaced pass from Callum McGregor handed Atalanta an opening. Brendan Rodgers made a double substitution in the 69th minute, introducing Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi in place of Reo Hatate and Adam Idah. The changes had an immediate effect, with Bernardo winning the ball and setting up Daizen Maeda, whose pass found Kyogo in the box. The Japanese striker turned sharply and fired a shot, only for Carnesecchi to make a good save. Celtic continued to search for a breakthrough, and in the 77th minute, Alex Valle sent a superb ball over the top for Kyogo. The striker tried to replicate a similar goal he scored against Hearts last season, but his effort was slightly off, landing on the roof of the net. As the match headed into stoppage time, Atalanta pushed hard for a winner, but Celtic’s defense held firm. Liam Scales and Auston Trusty were outstanding throughout, dealing with wave after wave of pressure. In the 92nd minute, Hien once again headed over the bar from a late Atalanta cross, but the Hoops saw out the game to secure a valuable point on the road.Brendan Rodgers and his side will now turn their attentions to domestic action, with a trip to Fir Park coming on Sunday afternoon as the Hoops face Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
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