Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 17:45 Tuesday UK time; TNT Sports TV
- Champions League, Group Match 6
- Celtic achieve the 1pt which could be sufficient to take Celtic into the playoffs (but probably not), but top 8 too far off not possible. However, with the way other results are, probably at least 1 more pt is needed.
- Four games unbeaten in a row in the Champions League to date for Celtic, two victories, only one defeat, three draws to take us to 9pts.
- Celtic are in 21st place in the table, but note PSG & Stuttgart on 7pts in 25th & 26th place can still catch up with the teams above and displace them (which very much includes Celtic).
- Victory over Young Boys of Berne in next match is now vital (draw could be fine), YB of Berne have lost all their games so far in the Champions League.
- Callum McGregor 100th European appearance tonight!
- Apparently one empty stand was left unused because of an earthquake four years ago.
- Celtic have previously played three times in Croatia, lost all three matches! So this was progress.
- With an average age of 28 years and 1 day, Celtic named their oldest starting XI for a Champions League game since a 1-0 win over Manchester United in November 2006 (28y 272d).
- Celtic Women’s team: 3-0 defeat in the Women’s Champions League. With progression in the competition not possible, Elena Sadiku’s side were playing for pride and history, in search of their first ever group-stage point. Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: “It’s easy to say we’re proud and we’re learning and we’re growing, but the girls deserve something more than that. Real Madrid had four shots on target and scored three goals, so I’m frustrated. They deserved to win, but the last two goals we conceded were easy goals and I think we can defend better. “We will go to Twente on Tuesday all in for the win.”
- Ex-Celtic manager Postecoglou – his Spurs side play Sevco on Thursday in Uefa cup at Ibrox, match drawn 1-1!
- On loan Johnny Kenny, 21, scored twice as Shamrock Rovers beat Borac Banja Luka 3-0 to seal progress in the Conference League.
- Celtic loanee Alexandro Bernabei named in the Brazilian Serie A team of the season!
- Report: Celtic said to be keen on a permanent deal in January for rising Lyon star Mahamadou Diawara.
- Gordon Strachan: “It’s a format designed to keep the old established clubs happy. I’ve got to say, there’s no edge. There’s definitely no edge to it when you’ve not got away against AC Milan after playing them at home and all that. If you said to the Celtic fans, who are you playing in the next match? No idea. Couldn’t tell you. But I’ve got to say, has anybody found this interesting at all? This has been change for the sake of change.”
- New York rapper 50 Cent revealed he plans to watch a Celtic game at some point when he visits Scotland after the hip hop star was announced as one of the headline acts for next year’s TRNSMT Festival at Glasgow Green. Usual publicity stunts! But it often works.
- SPFL among European divisions set to oppose any attempt to stage a Saudi Arabia World Cup in winter
Summary
Pre match: Celtic maybe facing Dinamo Zagreb at ideal time. Manager Nenad Bjelica under serious pressure sitting third in their domestic division. Dinamo Zagreb came into this match on a poor run and missing some key players. Dinamo Zagreb admitted in an open letter to fans that “we are in a crisis of results”, but insist “there is no crisis within the club” as they have “funds for the next transfer window… Surrender is not an option in Dinamo’s DNA. Just like in previous seasons, we will get out of our present difficulties together with your support.”
Joebloggscity of @TheCelticWiki: Prematch, it was projected that Celtic needed just one more victory to confirm playoff qualification (top 8 chances really gone), but some were over relying on the forthcoming YB of Berne game. However, 1pt as things stood was thought to be sufficient but other results (like Feyenoords argue that maybe at least 1more pts needed).
In recent decades, Celtic have been very poor travellers in the European competitions, but hope springs eternal although we’d rather get the points here first especially as Zagreb were under the cosh.
Tonight we got the 1pt and really that’s all the matterred. Admittedly Celtic should have won, being the far better side in the first half but didn’t create enough chances. A free kick from a prime spot should have been converted but Engels was on the bench (our best dead ball specialist). Zagreb did come into the game in the second half and had some great chances (e.g. a header that was saved by Schmeichel) but so did Celtic. A late chance with a cross in ball from Engels was so close for Idah to convert before it was very well intercepted.
Celtic dominated the match in possession (an incredibly rare feat to do away in Europe) with ~70% of possession, yet the ability to convert into chances let alone goals was frustrating. Some players were getting criticised over harshly like Hatate who at times seemed to misplace passes or lose the ball too easily however Zagreb were a decent team defensively. Taylor was booked too early which hindered him partly. Zagreb’s players did roll about the floor a bit much and the referee was often out of his depth.
The scoreline was fine, and fair enough. Happy days but post-match it was feeling to a number that possibly this was two points dropped and could come back to haunt Celtic in the seeding or even just qualification for the playoffs.
One things for sure, the Dortmund result had a huge bearing on the performance. After that drubbing, there was still a hesitancy in Celtic’s play which undeniably played its part in Celtic’s less aggressive or confident performance. With Zagreb there for the taking, maybe for once Celtic could have been more adventurous, but really 1pt was a good takeaway from an away match. Insecurity following that Dortmund result certainly played its part.
E-Tims @ETimsNet · FT Zagreb 0 #Celtic 0 Would have taken It before the match. They sat in at home for bulk of match. We didn’t create a lot but controlled the game. Two successive away draws in CL. 4 games unbeaten in the Champions League. Bravo
Inside the SPFL @agentscotland.bsky.social · Celtic really comfortable in possession, probably the most comfortable I’ve seen away from home in the CL, but have been far too safe in the final 3rd, Kyogo really sloppy in his link up, Bernardo the best player on the pitch, don’t think there’ll be any HT subs, just wee tweaks. That was just far too passive of a performance. You don’t get many genuine opportunities to win away from home in the Champions League, but when they come along, you need to be far more assertive, especially when you have so much control of the game, that’s 2pts dropped, IMO.
Teams
Celtic:
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
03 G. Taylor 6′, Yellow Card at 6mins
06 A. Trusty
20 C. Carter-Vickers
02 A. Johnston, subbed for A. Ralston at 46mins
41 R. Hatate, subbed for L. McCowan at 65mins
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
28 Paulo Bernardo, subbed for A. Engels at 65mins
38 D. Maeda 38′, Yellow Card at 38mins, subbed for J. Forrest at 73mins
08 K. Furuhashi, subbed for A. Idah at 72mins
10 N. Kühn
Subs:
27 A. Engels
49 J. Forrest
09 A. Idah
14 L. McCowan
17 M. Nawrocki
07 L. Palma
56 A. Ralston 56′, Yellow Card at 56mins
05 L. Scales
12 V. Sinisalo
11 Álex Valle
57 S. Welsh
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Dinamo Zagreb
Manager: Nenad Bjelica
Formation: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1
01 D. Zagorac
18 R. Pierre-Gabriel
28 K. Théophile-Catherine
06 M. Bernauer
22 S. Ristovski (c), Captain
30 M. Rog 35′, Yellow Card at 35mins
08 L. Kačavenda
20 M. Pjaca, subbed for A. Hoxha at 82mins
10 M. Baturina, subbed for L. Stojković at 83mins
77 D. Špikić, subbed for N. Mbuku at 73mins
17 S. Kulenović 35′, Yellow Card at 35mins
Subs:
37 T. Baković
19 J. Córdoba
23 I. Filipović
11 A. Hoxha
86 L. Jakirović
21 N. Mbuku
33 I. Nevistić
66 B. Pavić
07 L. Stojković
04 Raúl Torrente
42 M. Zebić
49 M. Ćutuk
Referee Felix Zwayer
Video Assistant Referee Sascha Stegemann
Assistant Referee 1 Robert Kempter
Assistant Referee 2 Christian Dietz
Fourth Official Florian Badstübner
Assistant VAR Official Johann Pfeifer
Att: 18,158
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall Possession
Dinamo Zagreb 31.4% Celtic 68.6%
General
Shots
Dinamo Zagreb 11 Celtic 7
Shots on target
Dinamo Zagreb 2 Celtic 1
Shots off target
Dinamo Zagreb 6 Celtic 3
Blocked shots
Dinamo Zagreb 3 Celtic 3
Total touches in the box
Dinamo Zagreb 17 Celtic 22
Goalkeeper saves
Dinamo Zagreb 1 Celtic 2
Fouls
Dinamo Zagreb 9 Celtic 9
Corners
Dinamo Zagreb 4 Celtic 10
Articles
Celtic miss big opportunity after posting Champions League statistic that is almost unheard of
Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo
Specialist Sports Writer
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-miss-big-opportunity-after-posting-champions-league-statistic-that-is-almost-unheard-of-4904426
Comments
Published 10th Dec 2024, 21:27 GMT
Updated 10th Dec 2024, 21:56 GMT
Point well made as assured Celtic keep Zagreb out
It was, incontrovertibly, an away game and yet Celtic did their best to make themselves feel at home in the Balkans. They might lament failing to secure a rare win on their Champions League travels but a second consecutive goalless draw away from home is an impressive reaction to the 7-1 thumping in Dortmund in October.
The Scottish champions will take another point and move on. They have ten domestic games between now and their next Champions League outing, which is a very winnable home tie against Swiss side Young Boys. That is followed by a trip to face Aston Villa. Things remain nicely poised for Brendan Rodgers’ side. This point leaves Celtic still well positioned to qualify for the knockout stage play-off round, at the very least. They are looking increasingly comfortable on the road with Rodgers at this level.
While the signs surrounding the stadium are all written in Croatian and no one could possibly mistake the misshapen home of Dinamo Zagreb for Parkhead, the visitors began as if they were very much still in Paradise. A first away Champions League win since 2017 was in their sights.
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers challenges Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers challenges Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Nearly 70 per cent possession in the first half said it all. This is the kind of statistic they might routinely post on away outings in the Premiership, but the Champions League? It’s almost unheard of. It was still around 65 per cent at the end with Celtic having sought to press the issue. A near post intervention from the veteran French defender Kevin Theophile-Catherine following a sweeping move involving substitutes James Forrest and Arne Engels saved an almost certain goal, with Adam Idah, another replacement, waiting to convert.
Rodgers anticipated having most of the ball. It is one reason why the Celtic manager selected the more scheming Paulo Bernardo over Engels in midfield, although the pair switched midway through the second half. Luke McCowan joined Engels on the pitch at the same time and found pockets of space, including after exchanging passes with Callum McGregor and firing low towards goal. Home ‘keeper Danijel Zagorac held well.
Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo challenges Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo challenges Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
The game was opening up. However, neither side were able to take advantage of the more ragged nature of play although the hosts did seek to assert themselves in their own territory towards the end. Taylor robbed Nathanael Mbuku with a timely blindside challenge as the substitute was about to shoot. Kasper Schmeichel had to be alert when tipping Marco Pjaco’s header over the top with ten minutes left in front of his watching father, the former Manchester United ‘keeper Peter.
Celtic were the ones applying the pressure in the final moments as they sought that first away Champions League victory since matchday two in 2017, when they beat Anderlecht 3-0. This was matchday six seven years later. It’s been a while.
There was genuine hope that this would be the night when the monkey was lifted from their backs. After all, Dinamo Zagreb were in the midst of a poor run of form and have been disrupted by injury. One whole side of their stadium was also completely empty having been declared unfit for purpose following an earthquake in 2020. It was a long way from Parkhead, or even Hampden, although the Zagreb band of Ultras, the Bad Blue Boys, made themselves heard, helped by setting off several crackers.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel show appreciation to the travelling fans after the goalless draw with Dinamo Zagreb. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)
Celtic captain Callum McGregor and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel show appreciation to the travelling fans after the goalless draw with Dinamo Zagreb. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Celtic will be back in Glasgow soon enough to take on some more boys in blue. They won’t be as satisfied with a 0-0 draw on that occasion – unless such an outcome is followed by a shootout win. With this weekend’s League Cup final against Rangers very much in mind, one negative was a hip knock sustained by Alistair Johnston. The full-back was replaced at half time by Anthony Ralston.
The opening 45 minutes were scratchy. While Celtic dominated possession, they failed to test Zagorac to any significant degree. But at least they were not making their own ‘keeper work, as on their last Champions League outing against Club Brugge when Cameron Carter-Vickers passed into his own net. The centre-half was a composed presence alongside Aaron Trusty here.
Zagreb came nearest to calamity when Kyogo was close to closing down Zagorac. The ‘keeper managed to hack clear. Nicolas Kuhn saw a shot deflected over after cutting in from the left near the start of a much livelier second half.
Neither side were able to take even one of the chances created but looked happy enough with a share of the spoils when shaking hands at the end, with Celtic especially entitled to take the positives. As the Rolling Stones once almost put it, you can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.
Celts pick another vital away point in the Champions League
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/december/10/celts-pick-another-vital-away-point-in-the-champions-league/
First Team
By Gerry McCulloch
Share
10 Dec 2024, 8:00 pm
UEFA Champions League
Matchday Six
Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
DINAMO ZAGREB… 0
CELTIC… 0
Celtic secured another vital away point in the UEFA Champions League to remain firmly in contention for a last 16 play-off spot, drawing 0-0 with Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.
And for the second consecutive away European match, the Hoops delivered a clean sheet, having also recorded a goal-less draw in italy against Atalanta.
Brendan Rodgers’ side dominated possession throughout the 90 minutes but weren’t able to carve out too many clear-cut chances in front of goal.
In the first-half Paulo Bernardo came closest to finding the back of the net in the 16th minute after the Hoops were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Dinamo box, but his effort went just over the bar.
For the Croatian side, who hadn’t won at home since late September, their first real chance of note didn’t come until the last minute of the first-half when Dario Spikic’s cross was turned wide by Sandro Kulenovic.
31%
Possession
69%
11
Shots
7
2
Shots On Target
1
4
Corners
10
9
Fouls
9
2
0
Cards
3
0
Brendan Rodgers made one change at half-time, bringing on Anthony Ralston at right back for Alistair Johnston who had picked up an injury following a challenge by Marko Rog towards the end of the first-half
And it was Nicolas Kuhn came close to giving Celtic the lead just moments into the second half. After cutting inside from the right, the winger’s shot looked to be heading goalward before it was deflected over the bar by Maxime Bernauer
The home side then carved out two shots at goal in close proximity. The first was deflected wide by Auston Trusty, while the second effort by Baturina was saved by Kasper Schmeichel
With 25 minutes remaining. Luke McCowan and Arne Engels replaced Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo, and it was McCowan who came close to scoring just three minutes later when his low drive from outside the box was well-saved by Zagorac in the Dinamo goal.
With 10 minutes remaining, Schmeichel was called on to tip Marko Pjaca’s header over the bar. It was yet another important save by the Danish goalkeeper in a match where he had been largely untested.
James Forrest, who had replaced Daizen Maeda, then threaded a superb pass through the inside left channel to Engels, who cut it across goal, and it took a piece of brilliant defending to block the ball from reaching Adam Idah, who would have been able to tap the ball home from close-range.
In the end, neither side was able to break the deadlock and Celtic can now look forward to their next UEFA Champions League match – a home game against Swiss side, Young Boys of Bern, in January – and the chance to deliver three vital points.
Dinamo Zagreb: Zagorac, Ristovski, Bernauer, Théophile-Catherine, Pierre-Gabriel, Kacavenda, Rog, Spikic (Mbuku 73′), Baturina (Stojkovic 83′), Pjaca (Hoxha 82′), Kulenovic
Subs: Torrente, Stojkovic, Hoxha, Córdoba, Mbuku, Filipovic, Nevistic, Bakovic, Zebic, Cutuk, Pavic, Jakirovic
Celtic: Schmeichel, Alistair Johnston (Ralston 45′), Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, Paulo Bernardo (Engels 65′), McGregor, Hatate (McCowan 65′), Kühn, Kyogo (Idah 72′), Maeda (Forrest 73′)
Subs: Scales, Palma, Idah, Valle, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, McCowan, Nawrocki, Engels, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c80vvyl2gvkt#Report
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Zagreb
Celtic stretched their unbeaten Champions League run to four matches after securing another valuable away point to leave progression to the latter stages in their grasp.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have now accumulated nine points, with a home tie against Young Boys to follow in January, followed by a trip to Aston Villa.
Their search for an elusive away win in this competition goes on, though, the last being against Anderlecht under Rodgers’ seven years ago.
Against a Dinamo Zagreb side struggling for form and hampered by an injury avalanche, Celtic sensed an opportunity and started confidently, controlling the ball for long spells, but they just couldn’t open up their opponents.
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In the first half, they only had a 20-yard Paulo Bernardo free kick that sailed narrowly over to show for their efforts, despite close to 70 percent possession.
Dinamo were defensively disciplined, constantly closing spaces that Celtic looked to exploit and make it count on the counter.
That script ought to have played out when Sandra Kulenovic found himself in space in the box but he sent the ball woefully wide before missing another gilt-edged chance.
After the break, the tempo from both sides increased and space opened up.
Nicolas Kuhn cut inside and took on Maxime Bernauer, but the defender got in a great block to send the ball behind.
Dinamo responded, with Martin Baturina twice denied before Kyogo almost nipped in from close range and Carter-Vickers couldn’t convert the loose ball.
It was the hosts who came closest late on. Kasper Schmeichel brilliantly denied Marko Pjaca, whose header appeared to be creeping under the bar before the Dane got a fabulous touch over to secure another welcome point.
Celtic edge closer to goal with valuable point
Celtic came into this fixture knowing three points all but guaranteed progress to the latter stages of the Champions League.
Their haul of one remains of good value, extending their unbeaten run and leaving progression very much there for the taking. They are clearly evolving at this level, given the points tally keeps ticking on.
The only slight frustration might be the lack of direct threat, especially having had so much of the ball in the opening half.
It felt like a game they had a real chance of winning at that stage.
With that home fixture to come against Young Boys in January, they’ll turn their attention to the Scottish League Cup final against Rangers at Hampden on Sunday.
Dinamo dogged under pressure
Dinamo had struggled for form in the run up and met fan fury after their last match.
Despite that, the seven points they gathered prior to this suggested they are more than capable at this level.
They had only 15 fit senior players available and initially looked to contain and make it count when chances arrived. A couple did but they were wasteful when the chance to inflict damage was there.
Their urgency increased but their winless run continues, albeit they may have taken this point pre-match such were the circumstances.
With a more than respectable eight-point tally they now face a tough task to progress with tough tests to follow against Arsenal and AC Milan.
