Din Zagreb 0 – 0 Celtic

Celtic edged nearer to the Champions League knockout levels however their look ahead to an away win continues after a goalless draw with Dinamo Zagreb.

Brendan Rodgers’ aspect are with no win on the highway since 2017 and knew ending that run would virtually assure them development in Europe’s elite competitors.

They dominated possession within the first half with out creating any clearcut probabilities till Nicolas Kuhn was denied by Danijel Zagorac simply earlier than half-time.

The hosts had extra intent after the break with Kasper Schmeichel denying Martin Baturina and Marco Pjaca earlier than Adam Idah appeared sure to smash Arne Engles’ ball into the web just for a last-ditch intervention by Kevin Theophile-Catherine to disclaim the Celtic striker.

Celtic are unbeaten of their final 4 Champions League video games and have 9 factors with two to play, Dinamo Zagreb are an additional level behind.

A valuable level as Celtic close to knockout levels

There was no shock to see the return of centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers, together with midfielders Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate and striker Kyogo Furuhashi, whereas captain Callum McGregor was making his a hundredth look in Europe for Celtic.

The injury-hit hosts – who started the match with no win in 5 video games – began with just one level lower than Celtic however the guests shortly and comfortably took management.

Nevertheless, probabilities of any kind had been few and much between.

After Lukas Kacavenda dealt with the ball on the fringe of his personal field within the fifteenth minute, Bernardo clipped the ensuing free-kick over the crossbar.

On the half-hour mark, Zagreb striker Sandro Kulenovic miskicked in entrance of objective to finish a uncommon assault earlier than goalkeeper Danijel Zagorac saved at his close to publish from Hoops winger Nicolas Kuhn.

After a swift Zagreb break simply earlier than half-time, Kulenovic once more missed the goal from eight yards, as Carter-Vickers slipped following a Dario Spikic cross.

Celtic defender Anthony Ralston changed Alistair Johnston for the beginning of the second half and inside minutes, Kuhn’s drive was deflected over the crossbar by Zagreb defender Maxime Bernauer for a fruitless nook.

The sport stretched. A mistake by Hoops left-back Greg Taylor allowed Martin Baturina an effort on objective however Schmeichel was not unduly bothered, the Zagreb midfielder missed the goal with one other effort simply after the hour mark.

Rodgers took motion quickly afterwards. Luke McCowan and Arne Engels changed Hatate and Bernardo and the previous Dundee midfielder unleashed a drive from distance which was saved by Zagorac.

It was the house aspect who threatened once more within the eightieth minute however Schmeichel made an awesome save from Marko Pjaca’s close-range header for a nook which was defended, with each side having to accept the draw.

‘We would have liked to do extra’

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers:

“That is my trustworthy reply on it, sure, we wanted to do extra.

“It was a possibility for us however it’s important to present a bit bit extra in these moments.

“The optimistic is we have come away from the sport defensively robust and did not concede. I believed we lacked high quality within the ultimate third. The pitch was a bit bit tough.

“We had nice power, good dedication. Within the Champions League, if you happen to get a clear sheet and take some extent away from house and you are not very completely satisfied, that exhibits how the staff has progressed.

“It is laborious work. My groups will at all times be referenced for his or her attacking play, however we’re good after we press in the fitting moments and have that mentality to not wish to concede.

“We had sufficient of the ball to create extra alternatives, however to have that base collectively is essential.

“This group and staff is gaining confidence at this stage. The gamers gave all the pieces.

“We would have liked to do extra, however we all know that. That is cool. We all know it was a possibility for us, however it’s important to present that little bit extra.”

Story of the match in stats

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