The Bergamo match between Atalanta and Celtic, for matchday 3 of the League Stage of the Champions League, will be easily forgotten. One team neutralized the other, which was “stuck” at 0-0 and took one point each.
The hosts had possession but the visitors closed the spaces well towards Kasper Schmeichel‘s goal and left Italy with the draw. There were many complaints from Gian Piero Gasperini, that his team was unable to break down Celtic’s well organized midfield.
The most important phase of the game was the one in the 18th minute, when Tzapakosta crossed from the left and Pasalic put the ball on the post. Ace Atalanta then took the… rebound, but missed the touch. The pace slowed down in the second half, with Atalanta trying but unable to threaten. The only time he managed to cause problems for Celtic was in the 90+3′ but Hien’s header went wide.
THE KEY TO COOPERATION:
In the 18th minute, Atalanta came within a breath of a goal, but Mario Pasalic’s header was blocked by Kasper Schmeichel’s post. If the goal had been scored, the game would have taken another turn.
GREEN CHANGES:
There was no one who made the difference, especially from Atalanta who had the initiative of the movements. Gian Piero Gasperini made all his changes but couldn’t find the player to redeem the home team.
THE BIGGEST FIELD:
Atalanta’s midfield was caught in the visitors’ excellent defence. Pasalic, from whom Gian Piero Gasperini expected a lot in the organizational part, moved in shallow waters.
THE CHARACTER:
The Bosnian, Irfan Pelito, did not have a difficult stage.
VAR-GIVE:
He did not have to intervene in the Bergamo game.
Scorer:-
ELEVEN:
ATLANTIS: Karnezeky, Hien, Belanova (58′ Samardzic), Dzimsiti, Kolasinac (78′ Zaniolo), Tzapakosta, Pasalic (78′ Ruggeri), De Roan, Ederson, Lookman (69′ Cuadrado), Retegui (58′ De Ketelar)
CELTIC: Schmeichel, Scales, Johnston, Trusty, Valle, Engels (75′ McCowan), McGregor, Hatate (68′ Paulo Bernardo), Ida (68′ Furuhashi), Kuhn (81′ Forrest), Maenda (75′ Palma)
COMPETITION Next COMPETITION:
Atalanta compete in Germany against Stuttgart (6/11), while Celtic host Leipzig (5/11).