Atalanta 0-0 Celtic: How Brendan Rodgers earned ‘one of his best results’ in Champions League draw
The oddity of the xG figures at Atalanta and Dortmund perhaps highlight just how devastating the Bundesliga side’s finishing was in Germany, but Schmeichel avoided his goal being breached in Bergamo by pulling off six saves.
The four-man defence in front of the Denmark goalkeeper will rightly be at the forefront of the plaudits, though, particularly centre-back pairing Liam Scales and Auston Trusty.
In the absence of first pick Cameron Carter-Vickers, Scales and Trusty defended resolutely by making 24 clearances between them.
“Scales and Trusty were outstanding,” former Scotland forward James McFadden said on BBC Sportsound.
“The two of them didn’t panic. Atalanta asked a lot of questions and Celtic had the answers.”
Full-backs Alistair Johnston and Alex Valle, continuing in the place of injured Greg Taylor, also impressed.
Meanwhile, Adam Idah gave the team more of a focal point at the other end and Reo Hatate provided more energy and industry in midfield.
With arguably their two toughest Champions League games out of the way, Celtic can now look forward to back-to-back home matches against RB Leipzig and Club Brugge with four points already on the board.
“So many moments in that game, it felt like the pressure was similar to the Dortmund match,” former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart said on TNT Sports.
“Dortmund got out of control very quickly, but Celtic could deal in the chaos, win the big headers, get a little bit of luck, and some big saves from Schmeichel.
“Once it got through to 70 minutes it felt like Atalanta ran out of ideas. Celtic as a complete squad, brilliant effort.”
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