Every now and again, our side is faced with a big challenge, and every now and again, this manager provides the answer.
After Dortmund, there were doubts about how seriously we could take his claim that he wouldn’t change our style of play. Well, tonight’s football wasn’t the prettiest. We didn’t create as many chances as we’d have liked, but we left Bergamo with a point and a clean sheet—something few people thought possible.
I know certain hacks were eagerly anticipating this game, perhaps salivating at the thought of Celtic getting hammered. It could have happened too, had we gone gung-ho and left those massive gaps between midfield and defence.
But Rodgers didn’t get to where he is now without learning a few lessons. The flaws and gaps in the system during the Dortmund match, where he stuck with his plan for too long, were why the scoreline there got so ugly. But he was never going to repeat that tonight.
We didn’t sit back and let them control the game, which was my concern if we changed our system. But nor did we go too aggressive.
It was clear within the first 10 minutes that we intended to frustrate them, make life difficult, and prevent the kind of thrashing some in the media were hoping for.
In the wake of the Germany match, questions were asked of Rodgers, and tonight he delivered the answer—a far more compact system. We didn’t play with 11 men behind the ball, but we also didn’t give Atalanta any space to exploit.
Yes, they created chances, but they were the home side, and home advantage in this competition is huge. Still, we coped, and we coped well.
The keeper had a few good saves to make, but they were largely restricted to speculative efforts—similar to those we see from frustrated teams all over football. That was crucial. We made them feel that frustration and they did not handle it well. That’s quite something to say when we were up against last year’s Europa League winners.
Some will argue that this Atalanta side isn’t particularly good, but let them talk that rubbish as they like. These are the same people who predicted a heavy defeat, and now that it didn’t happen, they can’t change their story. We played a very strong, very dangerous team and held them to a 0-0 draw on their turf. Credit goes to the players and the manager for that.
All the credit in the world. They deserve it.
Rodgers got his tactics spot on tonight, and he deserves all the praise from Celtic fans for learning the lessons of Dortmund and adapting accordingly. It was exactly what we wanted to see. Tomorrow’s headlines should be full of praise for the boss.
The defensive effort from the players was outstanding though.
Across the backline, they were immense, but Austin Trusty, in particular, answered a lot of questions with his strong, aggressive performance. I thought he was our best player on the night.
Liam Scales continues to grow into his role, showing more and more promise.
Alistair Johnston had his best game in a while, even after being booked early. He didn’t let it affect his tackles, and one in particular inside the penalty area was timed to absolute perfection, preventing what could have been a dangerous moment. If Alex Valle continues improving with every game come January we might have to pay that release clause and stop this getting complicated.
Moving to the attack, I thought starting Idah instead of Kyogo was a smart decision. The rationale was sound, but it did cost us that bit of mobility and game intelligence Kyogo brings. We looked much sharper when he came on, but we’ll be rotating between these two, and there will be weeks where one works better than the other. It was a solid call.
Daizen Maeda was a bit disappointing, though. He also had a poor game at the weekend, and it’s clear he’s fatigued a bit. The travel and recent exertions have caught up with him, so resting him this weekend might be a good idea to recharge his batteries.
Kuhn ran up and down that wing. He looked good on the occasions when he got forward, but jjust as importantly he put in great work defensively alongside Johnston, and that’s exactly what you need from a player like him on nights when you won’t get many chances at the other end. He was arguably our best player going forward until Kyogo came on.
Callum McGregor was excellent in midfield, playing a captain’s game—calm, composed, and aggressive when needed. The decision to take Reo Hatate off seemed strange, as he was easily the best of the midfield three, with his energy, passing, and movement. I thought he had a cracking game. Arne Engels could have done better, but we must remember three things: he’s still integrating into the team, he’s young, and although we spent a lot on him, we bought potential, not the finished article. We’re also trying to turn him into a more attacking midfielder like Matt O’Riley, which is a big ask considering he started as a defensive player. He’ll need time, but someone at Celtic clearly believes he’s got a bright future.
Luke McCowan was tireless after coming on. James Forrest didn’t have much time to make an impact but put in his usual hardworking shift. Luis Palma continues to be enigmatic—you never quite know what version of him will show up—but he didn’t have enough time tonight to influence the game. Both he and Forrest ended up back helping out defensively, which they did well.
But I have to hold my hands up about Paolo Bernardo.
I was wrong about him. He’s tremendous. Every time I watch him, I see that I really like. He’s aggressive, his tackling is excellent, and his ball control and passing are spot on. He’s on his way to being the complete midfielder and is going to be a star.
Tonight’s result exceeded my expectations.
I’d have been thrilled if we had snuck a winner, but leaving Bergamo with a point is an outstanding result. It’s a massive achievement and a huge step forward for both the team and the manager, who got every decision spot on—from the team selection to the tactics.
Tonight, I’m a very proud Celtic blogger and a happy fan.
This was exactly what we were hoping for, even if few of us expected it.
There’s now plenty of reasons for optimism ahead of our home games, and perhaps we can even secure more points away. That was a big night for this team, for this manager and for a couple of players who were being questioned before it by the kind of hacks who just live to see us fail.
They have a fine old time after Dortmund.
They aren’t laughing anymore.
Completely agree. Some played better than others but this isn’t a night be critical. Scales was immense however and Schmeichal in goal saved us from defeat. Trusty grew in confidence as the game went on and the bigger compliment I can give is that we didn’t miss CCV. Kuhn sacrificed himself defensively against his attacking instinct. Idah ploughed a solitary figure at times but he took contributed. A game that felt like a victory at full time and maybe a night that a side grew up in Europe.
First time posting, just like to say I agree completely with your reading of the game tonight.
I would say it was a more grown up performance than our usual European away adventures, here’s hoping it continues. Looking forward to Ange coming up to Ibrox to bang another nail or six into the blue mob.
Hope everyone enjoyed the game and you all have some fingernails left
Well proud of that tonight. As expected, Atalanta were the better side and they’re nae mugs. Tho it was a gutsy, compact, well organised, disciplined performance from us and they all played their part. Hugely important thing is also, we’ve showed tonight, we can play a different system and dae it well when it’s required. Well done BR and the team.
I really struggle to understand how we secured Bernardo for the fee we did – a hugely talented player who showed up in big games last season and this.
Watching Leipzig tonight and we mustn’t be over-confident when we play them – they will be hugely dangerous if we set up too open at Celtic Park. When we get CCV fit we could be looking at having three options at LB (Taylor, Valle and Scales…).
I wonder what BR will be asking for in the January window to continue the progression…
The scum hacks will be looking for some new pencils sharpish after snapping them at full time , the others will have to rewrite their previous pre scribbled bias expectations on the game , fk em the only thing they’ll be doing tonight and tomorrow is choking on humble pie.
Well done Celtic tonight, a draw that feels like a win given the shite flying about given the scum media expectations.
On a more general point, looking at the CL table it is kind of difficult to make sense of it as you have to take account of who has played who in terms of seeding and then look at whether the seeding reflects the current team. Case in point being Aston Villa – a nightmare “pot 4” team for everyone sitting top of the table.
It could get really interesting after the next round of matches when halfway through and some of the “top teams” realise that they need to get their fingers out. And also whether some of the “out already” teams give up and focus on domestic football (Young Boys on zero points go to Shakter, host Atalanta and go to Stuttgart before rocking up at Celtic Park).
For me the new format is certainly a big improvement so far…
Agree re Bernardo but hope he can harness his aggression and disrupt the opponents in the correct areas of the park rather than going gung-ho at times. All round brilliant from the guys at the back. Lets enjoy the night a definitely am and still having a small “sherry” as I type this.
I said before the game we could get something out it if we defended as a unit, we defended brilliantly, the subs were well timed and effective, AJ dealt with being booked early and facing their most dangerous player in Zappacosta. Kuhn put a great shift in, Hatate was excellent but the big performer was Trusty who had to be great today and he delivered. Thoroughly satisfied but plenty more hard games to come.
EXCELLENT Result indeed !
Never in a million years thought we’d get that…
Massive congratulations to Brendan and the team for proving me of little faith so wrong !
Great result for Glasgow Celtic and Scottish football. Celtic got a good result in Italy.
A courageous collective performance, every player gave their all and played their part, well done Celtic.
Whilst definitely not pretty to watch the key is that it was effective. Atalanta had an off-night in front of goal and on another night may have scored two or three BUT at no time could they have scored TEN or ELEVEN which was a possibility in Dortmund. Brendan’s acceptance (finally!) that to have even the remotest chance of getting results away from home against teams of that quality you simply have to be deeper and stay compact worked and he and the team got everything spot on and fully deserved their point.
The only disappointment was our inability to carve out any real chances late in the game when it was clear Atalanta had run out of ideas but that’s being picky. I’m quite happy for us to go away to these places and play for a stuffy draw – if it works great, if it doesn’t and we lose by a goal or two then fair enough – the key is not to get embarrassed and humiliated which will only leave players scarred.
Leipzig at home is no gimme and tbh I’d be happy with a point in that and then look to get all 3points vs Brugge. That would set us up nicely for Zagreb away – probably the key game as to where we end up finishing in the table.