Celtic delivered a resolute performance to hold Atalanta to a 0-0 draw in their UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 clash on October 23, 2024, at the Gewiss Stadium. Brendan Rodgers’ side, coming off a heavy 7-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund earlier in the month, needed a response—and they produced one. This result leaves Celtic with four points from three games, a respectable tally considering the high-level opposition they’ve faced in this group. In contrast, Atalanta, despite dominating possession and chances, failed to break down Celtic’s well-drilled defense, marking a frustrating evening for the Italian side.
Celtic’s Defensive Resilience on Full Display
After the humiliating defeat against Dortmund, Celtic knew they had to be more compact and organized to have any chance of taking points from Atalanta. Brendan Rodgers made significant adjustments, focusing on tightening the defense and ensuring that his players avoided the kind of mistakes that led to the collapse in Germany.
From the outset, Celtic’s defense, led by Liam Scales and Auston Trusty, showed composure under pressure. Atalanta, known for their potent attack with 18 goals in eight Serie A games, struggled to find clear-cut chances. Despite having 67% of the possession and 25 attempts on goal, Atalanta lacked the sharpness needed to penetrate Celtic’s defensive lines. Time and again, crosses were either poorly delivered or met by solid defensive clearances.
Celtic’s ability to withstand Atalanta’s constant pressure was a major factor in their success. Kasper Schmeichel, in goal for Celtic, played a crucial role, making several key saves, including a one-on-one stop against Mario Pasalic early in the match. Alistair Johnston also made a crucial block to deny Ademola Lookman just before halftime.
Rodgers praised his team’s defensive display after the match, stating, “The players showed great courage. We were defensively brilliant, and it’s a really good point for us.”
Atalanta Struggle to Break Through
Despite dominating possession and piling on the pressure, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta failed to capitalize on their numerous attacking opportunities. The Italian side’s frustrations were compounded by their inability to convert key chances into goals. Their early territorial control looked promising, but Mario Pasalic’s missed chance in the first half—blasting his shot straight into Schmeichel—was a sign of things to come.
Atalanta’s frustration became evident as the game wore on. Cross after cross flew across Celtic’s box without being properly connected by Atalanta’s forwards. Even their star striker, Mateo Retegui, who has been prolific in Serie A, was uncharacteristically off the mark and was substituted shortly before the hour mark.
Gasperini’s decision to withdraw Retegui and Ademola Lookman raised eyebrows, especially since Celtic had shown vulnerabilities in defense during previous matches. As Atalanta pushed for a winner, their attempts became more disjointed, and Celtic’s confidence in holding out for a draw grew.
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Celtic’s Counterattacking Threat
Though Celtic spent much of the game defending deep, they were not without their own attacking moments. In fact, they had a golden opportunity early in the second half when Alex Valle’s deflected shot nearly gave Celtic an unlikely lead, only for the ball to fly just over the bar.
Celtic’s best counterattacking moments came when Kyogo Furuhashi was introduced. His movement and ability to find space in behind Atalanta’s defense caused brief moments of panic. In one such instance, Valle found Furuhashi with a superb long ball, but the Japanese forward miscued his effort, failing to capitalize on the opportunity.
Although Celtic did not create many chances, their ability to break forward with pace when given the opportunity kept Atalanta on their toes.
Tactical Shifts: Rodgers vs. Gasperini
Brendan Rodgers approached this game with a pragmatic mindset, focusing on structure and defensive discipline. His decision to start Adam Idah as the lone forward initially raised questions, as the Irish striker found himself isolated for much of his 68 minutes on the field. However, the substitution of Idah for Furuhashi in the second half brought new energy to Celtic’s attack and allowed them to push Atalanta back when necessary.
Rodgers’ substitutions, including the introduction of Luis Palma and Kyogo Furuhashi, added fresh legs and tactical flexibility. These changes allowed Celtic to absorb Atalanta’s pressure while maintaining the possibility of a quick counterattack.
In contrast, Gasperini’s substitutions—particularly the removal of Retegui and Lookman—seemed to disrupt Atalanta’s attacking rhythm. Their replacements, Nicolo Zaniolo and Charles De Ketelaere, struggled to make a significant impact. This tactical misstep arguably contributed to Atalanta’s failure to score.
What This Means for Celtic Moving Forward
With four points from three games, Celtic have positioned themselves well in a tough group that includes the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta. The defensive resilience they showed against Atalanta was a stark contrast to the capitulation in Dortmund, signaling that Rodgers has found a way to tighten up his team’s defensive flaws.
Celtic’s next game will be crucial in determining whether they can advance to the knockout stages. Their newfound defensive solidity will need to be paired with more attacking cohesion if they are to pick up the necessary points in the remaining fixtures. However, this result will undoubtedly provide them with a major confidence boost as they head into their next challenges.
The league phase table is taking shape #UCL pic.twitter.com/pzWVMPhY7P
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 23, 2024
A Point Earned Through Grit and Determination
Celtic’s goalless draw against Atalanta was a testament to their defensive grit and tactical discipline. Brendan Rodgers’ side executed their game plan to perfection, frustrating a normally free-scoring Atalanta team. With four points in the group and renewed belief in their defensive capabilities, Celtic will now aim to build on this result as they seek progression in the UEFA Champions League.
The performance against Atalanta not only helps Celtic’s chances in the group but also provides a clear statement that they can compete at this level. As Rodgers said post-match, “Tonight was a really big confidence boost.” If they can maintain this level of resilience, Celtic’s European campaign could yet have more memorable moments to come.
