Celtic earn valuable point in knockouts chase with Dinamo Zagreb draw

Celtic earned a valuable point in the UEFA Champions League away at Dinamo Zagreb courtesy of a 0-0 draw at Stadion Maksimir.

Celtic came into this match on a 10-match winless run away from home in the UEFA Champions League, with their last victory on the road coming back in August 2017 against Anderlecht, and were looking to find the elusive away win.

The Bhoys started the match well, dominating the possession and settling into a passing rhythm as they looked to open up the hosts.

Brendan Rodgers’ side continued to look impressive in possession, but failed to break down Dinamo Zagreb in the first half, with neither side managing to register a single shot on target in the first period.

Celtic had their first real dangerous effort after 50 minutes when Nicolas Kuhn did well to get away from his man before cutting inside from the right-hand side and wrapping an effort towards goal, which was deflected over the bar for a corner.

Dinamo Zagreb continued to grow into the match in the second half, getting forward with pace and trying to penetrate the Celtic defence, and after 80 minutes, they had a huge opportunity to take the lead. Marko Pjaca found space at the back post to power a header towards goal, only to see his effort tipped over brilliantly by Kasper Schmeichel.

Celtic had a massive opportunity to score a late winner but were denied by a piece of brilliant defending. The ball was fired in from the left-hand side with Adam Idah poised to tap home from just a couple of yards out, but Kevin Theophile-Catherine was on hand to slide in and clear the ball away.

The Bhoys stretch their unbeaten run in the Champions League to four matches and face Young Boys at Celtic Park in their next match in the competition. Dinamo Zagreb, on the other hand, travel to the Emirates on matchday seven to face Arsenal.

Celtic made it four straight matches unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League tonight, but they might view this match as somewhat of a missed opportunity as their wait for an elusive away win the competition goes on.

The Bhoys have now failed to win any of their last 11 away matches in the Champions League (drawn three, lost eight), with their last such victory coming back in September 2017 – a 3-0 win over Belgian outfit Anderlecht.

There are reasons to be positive though. After six consecutive away defeats between October 2022 and October 2024, The Bhoys have avoided defeat in each of their last two on the road, keeping a clean sheet in both (0-0 v Atalanta and 0-0 tonight). Their final away match of the league phase of the competition comes at the end of January, when they travel to Birmingham to face Aston Villa.

The Celtic defender was brilliant tonight for his side, making a series of important clearances, blocks and tackles throughout the evening. On the ball he was composed and efficient, completing 106 of his 111 passes (95%) and overall lost possession just seven times. His aerial presence made it really difficult for Dinamo to create any real danger from crossing positions, with the American winning five of his duels.

Dinamo: Zagorac 7, Ristovski 7, Bernauer 7, Theophile-Catherine 7, Pierre-Gabriel 7, Kacavenda 6, Rog 6, Spikic 6, Baturina 7, Pjaca 6, Kulenovic 7 Subs: Mbuku 6, Hoxha 6, Stojkovic 6

Celtic: Schmeichel 7, Taylor 7, Trusty 8, Carter-Vickers 7, Johnston 6, Bernardo 7, McGregor 7, Hatate 7, Maeda 6, Kyogo 6, Kuhn 6 Subs: Ralston 7, McCowan 6, Engels 6, Idah 6, Forrest 6

49’ A HUGE CHANCE FOR CELTIC – That is by far Celtic’s best chance of the game. Nicholas Kuhn cuts in from the right-hand side onto his left foot but his effort is deflected over the bar. That looked all the world like it was going to be the opening goal for The Bhoys.

57’ A CHANCE FOR DINAMO! – Marko Pjaca with the best chance for Dinamo so far – he does well to give himself a yard before firing an effort towards goal, but Auston Trusty gets in the way and the ball goes behind for a corner.

80’ A HUGE SAVE FROM SCHMEICHEL! – Ristovski fires in a terrific cross to the back post and Pjaca is there to head an effort towards goal, which Kasper Schmeichel tips over the bar.

After conceding in nine consecutive away matches in the Champions League, Celtic have now kept a clean sheet in back-to-back away matches in the competition.