Celtic earned a beneficial level within the Champions League away at Dinamo Zagreb courtesy of a 0-0 draw at Stadion Maksimir.
Celtic got here into this match on a 10-match winless run away from house within the UEFA Champions League, with their final victory on the street coming again in August 2017 towards Anderlecht and had been seeking to discover the elusive away win.
The Bhoys began the match effectively, dominating the possession and settling right into a passing rhythm as they appeared to open up the hosts.
Brendan Rodgers’ aspect continued to look spectacular in possession however failed to interrupt down Dinamo Zagreb within the first half, with neither aspect managing to register a single shot on track within the first interval.
Celtic had their first actual harmful effort after 50 minutes when Nicolas Kuhn did effectively to get away from his man earlier than slicing inside from the right-hand aspect and wrapping an effort in the direction of objective which was deflected over the bar for a nook.
Dinamo Zagreb continued to develop into the match within the second half, getting ahead with tempo and attempting to penetrate the Celtic defence and after 80 minutes that they had an enormous alternative to take the lead. Marko Pjaca discovered area on the again submit to energy a header in the direction of objective solely to see his effort tipped over brilliantly by Kasper Schmeichel.
Celtic had a large alternative to attain a late winner however had been denied by a bit of good defending. The ball was fired in from the left-hand aspect with Adam Idah poised to faucet house from simply a few yards out however Kevin Theophile-Catherine was available to slip in and clear the ball away.
The Bhoys stretch their unbeaten run within the UEFA Champions League to 4 matches and face Younger Boys at Celtic Park of their subsequent match within the competitors. Dinamo Zagreb alternatively journey to the Emirates on MD7 to face Arsenal.
The wait goes on for Celtic on the street
Celtic made it 4 straight matches unbeaten within the UEFA Champions League tonight however they could view this match as considerably of a missed alternative as their look ahead to an elusive away win the competitors goes on.
The Bhoys have now didn’t win any of their final 11 away matches within the Champions League (D3 L8), with their final such victory coming again in September 2017 – a 3-0 win over Belgian outfit Anderlecht.
There are causes to be optimistic although, after six consecutive away defeats between October 2022 and October 2024, the Bhoys have averted defeat in every of their final two on the street, protecting a clear sheet in each (0-0 v Atalanta and 0-0 tonight). Their ultimate away match of the league section of the competitors comes on the finish of January, after they journey to Birmingham to face Aston Villa.
Participant of the Match – Auston Trusty (Celtic)
The Celtic defender was good tonight for his aspect, making a collection of vital clearances, blocks and tackles all through the night. On the ball he was composed and environment friendly, finishing 106 of his 111 passes (95) and total misplaced possession simply seven instances. His aerial presence made it actually troublesome for Dinamo to create any actual hazard from crossing positions, with the American profitable 5 of his duels.
Participant Scores
Dinamo: Zagorac 7, Ristovski 7, Bernauer 7, Theophile-Catherine 7, Pierre-Gabriel 7, Kacavenda 6, Rog 6, Spikic 6, Baturina 7, Pjaca 6, Kulenovic 7 Subs: Mbuku 6, Hoxha 6, Stojkovic 6
Celtic: Schmeichel 7, Taylor 7, Trusty 8, Carter-Vickers 7, Johnston 6, Bernardo 7, McGregor 7, Hatate 7, Maeda 6, Kyogo 6, Kuhn 6 Subs: Ralston 7, McCowan 6, Engels 6, Idah 6, Forrest 6
Match Highlights
49’ A HUGE CHANCE FOR CELTIC – That’s by far Celtic’s greatest probability of the sport. Nicholas Kuhn cuts in from the right-hand aspect onto his left foot however his effort is deflected over the bar. That appeared all of the world prefer it was going to be the opening objective for the Bhoys.
57’ A CHANCE FOR DINAMO! – Marko Pjaca with one of the best probability for Dinamo up to now, he does effectively to offer himself a yard earlier than firing an effort in the direction of objective however Austin Trusty will get in the way in which and the ball goes behind for a nook.
80’ A HUGE SAVE FROM SCHMEICHEL! – Ristovski fires in a terrific cross to the again submit and Pjaca is there to go an effort in the direction of objective which Kasper Schmeichel ideas over the bar.
Key Stat
After conceding in 9 consecutive away matches within the UEFA Champions League, Celtic have now saved a clear sheet in back-to-back away matches within the competitors.
