Celtic are getting nearer to the knockout levels of the Champions League however are nonetheless ready for an away win after a goalless draw with Dinamo Zagreb.
Brendan Rodgers’ aspect haven’t received away from dwelling since 2017 and know ending this recreation will all however assure their promotion into Europe’s elite competitors.
They dominated possession within the first half however didn’t create any clear-cut probabilities till simply earlier than half-time when Nicolas Kuhn was denied by Daniel Zagorac.
After the break, the house staff’s intentions turned extra apparent, with Kasper Schmeichel denying the ball from Martin Baturina and Marco Pjaca, Adam Idah then appeared sure to place Arne Engles’ ball into the web, however Kevin Theophile-Catherine made a last-ditch intervention, Blocked the Celtic ahead’s ball.
Celtic, unbeaten of their final 4 Champions League video games, have 9 factors with two video games remaining, with Dinamo Zagreb an additional level adrift.
Celtic safe a precious level within the knockout levels
The return of centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers, midfielders Paul Bernardo and Leo Hartart and striker Keigo Furuhashi isn’t any shock, whereas captain Callum McGregor It was Celtic’s a hundredth look in Europe.
The injury-plagued hosts, winless in 5 video games, began only one level behind Celtic however the guests shortly took management of the sport with ease.
Nonetheless, alternatives of any variety are uncommon.
Nicolas Kuhn will get probability for Celtic in first half
Within the fifteenth minute, after Lucas Kakawenda dealt with the ball on the sting of his personal penalty space, Bernardo’s free kick went over the crossbar.
Zagreb ahead Sandro Kulenovic ended a uncommon assault simply after the half-hour mark when he dedicated a mistake in entrance of objective, earlier than goalkeeper Daniel Zagorak thwarted Hoops winger Nikolas Kuhn on the close to put up. out.
Zagreb opened the scoring shortly earlier than half-time, with Kulenovic once more lacking from eight yards and Carter-Vickers slipping in after Dario Spikic’s cross.
Celtic defender Anthony Ralston changed Alistair Johnston in the beginning of the second half and minutes later Kuhn’s shot was blocked by Zagreb defender Maxim Bernauer Crossbar and a fruitless nook kick.
Kasper Schmeichel impresses Celtic with an necessary late save
The sport was drawn out. A mistake from Hoops left-back Greg Taylor allowed Martin Baturina to attain, however Schmeichel was not too troubled and the Zagreb midfielder’s different shot went extensive of the mark late within the recreation .
Rogers was fast to take motion. Luke McCown and Arne Engels got here on for Hartart and Bernardo, with the previous Dundee midfielder’s long-range shot saved by Zagorac.
Within the eightieth minute, the house staff threatened once more, however Schmeichel saved Piakka’s close-range header brilliantly. The nook kick was defended and the 2 sides drew.
‘We have to do extra’
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers stated he was disenchanted with the failure to beat Dinamo Zagreb however admitted his gamers gave their all within the efficiency
celtics supervisor Brendan Rogers:
“That is my sincere reply to that, sure, we have to do extra.
“It is a chance for us, however in these moments you must present just a little extra.
“The optimistic factor is that we defended nicely within the recreation and did not concede a objective. I believed we lacked high quality within the closing third. The pitch was a bit difficult.
“Now we have a number of power and dedication. Within the Champions League, when you hold a clear sheet and get a degree away from dwelling however you are not very completely happy, it reveals that the staff has improved.
“It is onerous work. My staff will at all times be talked about for attacking, however after we press on the proper moments and have the mentality to not give the ball away, we carry out nicely.
“Now we have sufficient possession to create extra probabilities, however it’s necessary to have that basis collectively.
“The group and the franchise are gaining confidence at this degree. The gamers gave all the pieces.
“We have to do extra, however we all know that. It is cool. We all know it is a chance for us, however you must present just a little extra.”
