Celtic’s quest for a Champions League away victory continues after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Dinamo Zagreb at Stadion Maksimir. Despite dominating possession and displaying promising passing sequences, the Bhoys failed to convert their control into goals, extending their winless streak on the road in the competition to eleven matches. While the result might feel like a missed opportunity, it marks a second consecutive away clean sheet, offering a glimmer of hope for future away fixtures.
The first half saw Celtic dictate the tempo, patiently probing for openings in the Dinamo defense. However, neither side managed a shot on target, highlighting the tightly contested nature of the encounter. After the break, Dinamo grew into the game, creating dangerous moments through their pacey attacks. Celtic also had their chances, with Nicolas Kuhn forcing a corner with a deflected shot and a late scramble in the box narrowly cleared by Dinamo’s Kevin Theophile-Catherine. Kasper Schmeichel proved crucial for Celtic, pulling off a superb save to deny Marko Pjaca’s powerful header.
While the elusive away win remains out of reach, Celtic’s performance offered positive takeaways. Their defensive solidity, marshalled by the impressive Auston Trusty, earned them a valuable point and extended their unbeaten run in the Champions League to four matches. The clean sheet represents a step forward after a string of consecutive away games conceding goals. This resilience will be vital as they look to build momentum for their upcoming home game against Young Boys.
Auston Trusty stood out as Celtic’s player of the match, displaying commanding defensive prowess throughout the game. His aerial dominance neutralized Dinamo’s crossing threat, while his composure on the ball ensured smooth transitions for Celtic. Completing 95% of his passes and winning the majority of his aerial duels, Trusty epitomized Celtic’s improved defensive solidity.
The goalless draw highlights the ongoing challenge for Celtic to translate their domestic dominance onto the European stage, particularly away from home. However, the recent back-to-back clean sheets and the emergence of defensive stalwarts like Trusty offer encouragement. The upcoming match against Young Boys presents an opportunity to consolidate their progress and maintain their unbeaten run in the competition.
Dinamo Zagreb, while frustrated by their inability to capitalize on their second-half momentum, will take heart from their defensive resilience against a dominant Celtic side. They face a sterner test in their next Champions League fixture, travelling to the Emirates to face Arsenal. The match against Celtic served as a valuable test of their defensive organization, a quality they will need to rely on against the Gunners’ attacking prowess.
