A tough match, with a lot of intensity and several scoring opportunities. But in the end the score didn’t change at all: 0-0 final and one point each, a draw that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of theAtalantawho had several opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half. Nothing to do, it was the defensive solidity of a team that won Celtic old fashioned way, strategy necessary to avoid another defeat.
Lots of opportunities
No trident, but an attacking midfielder (Pasalic) capable of creating greater dangers on inactive balls. Gian Piero Gasperini’s choice to face a four-man defense paid off right from the start, in the first twenty minutes the Nerazzurri managed possession by creating various dangers: the biggest one came when the Croatian inserted Zappacosta’s cross, but the header was stopped by the crossbar. Engels’ shot in the 26th minute, blocked by Carnesecchi, gave a further shock to the home team who in the space of a few minutes collected numerous scoring opportunities: first with Pasalic’s sure shot saved by Schmeichel, then by Zappacosta’s shot ended high.
No goals
The script of the match remained unchanged even in the second half, but to scare the Goddess it was a long range shot by Kuhn deflected for a corner again by Carnesecchi. The home team tried in every possible way, creating play and trying to spread their thinking on the flanks, but those desperate crosses didn’t solve the problem of an overly solid defense. Not even the arrivals of Samardzic, De Ketelaere and Zaniolo changed a script that became obvious as the minutes passed. It ends 0-0, with Celtic fans celebrating: Stuttgart, at least for the Nerazzurri, will have to be a turning point to stay in the 24.