A matchup which promised goals between the Croatian and Scottish champions ended in a goalless draw.
Stadion Maksimir played host to the matchup between Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic. The visitors came into the game unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions. But without an away in the UEFA Champions League since 2017.
The hosts have not won at home since September and have been in poor form domestically, partially due to an injury-ridden squad.
The Celts had the majority of the play in the first half. However, their only real attempt was a free kick by Paolo Bernardo early in the opening half of the match.
It was not until the second half that the game finally began to open up. Both sides created opportunities that they should have capitalised on. Celtic substitutes Adam Idah and Luke McCowan both had chances to break the deadlock, but they could not convert their goalscoring opportunities.
Croatian international Marko Pjaca had a golden opportunity late in the game to give the hosts the lead. However, Kasper Schmeichel pulled off an important stop to keep the score level.
A point leaves Celtic sitting in 18th with 9 points in the Champions League table, just 2 points off the automatic qualification spot. The shared point leaves Dinamo Zagreb 21st in the standings. The Croatian side sit three places behind Celtic in 21st.
However, this matchup was the early kick off in the Champions League match week 6. Therefore, the standings are likely to change at the end of the current round.
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Story of the match
It was a quiet opening to affairs in Croatia. The visiting Celts enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening stages, their first real chance of the game coming from a free kick in the 15th minute.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor (who made his 100th European appearance tonight) made an intricate run on the edge of the Dinamo Zagreb box. His attempted pass was purposely handled by opposition midfielder Marko Rog, and a free kick was given.
Up stepped Portuguese under 21 international Bernardo. However, his attempt was just a whisker over the bar.
The hosts, who are ravaged by injuries and poor home form, did not offer much in an attacking sense during the first half of play. However, the Croatian champions defended strongly against a Celtic attack in red-hot form.
The sides went into the break 0-0, Celtic were unable to break the deadlock whilst having the majority of the ball and the better chances during the first half.
The game sprung to life early in the second half
Celtic started the second half with another early attacking bit of play.
A strong tackle by Bernardo launched the Hoops into attack. Winger Nicholas Kühn cut inside but saw his attempt blocked by defender Maxime Bernaeur and behind for a corner kick, which ultimately led to nothing.
It was the host's turn to attack; United States international Aaron Trusty was called upon to make an important block after a strong shot by attacker Pjaca.
The home side had another chance just moments after. Sloppy passage of play by defender Greg Taylor sees the ball end up with the young, talented Martin Baturina in a dangerous area, but his tame effort was easily saved by Schmeichel.
Midway through the second half, both sides had their fair share of chances, yet neither capitalised on them.
A great break by the home side nearly resulted in the Croatian champions taking the league. Celtic substitute Idah lost the ball just inside the Dinamo Zagreb half. The hosts worked the ball well down the line. A whipped cross in found the head of Pjaca, who found himself free at the back post.
The Croatian's header forced the Celtic keeper into making a fingertip save. Poor marking from defender Tony Ralston. Luckily for him, the following corner came to nothing. A huge opportunity missed for the hosts with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
A goal-denying interception by Dinamo Zagreb centre-half Kevin Theophile-Catherine in the dying moments of the game. A brilliant bit of attacking play by the three Celtic substitutes.
Club legend James Forrest played an inch perfect pass down the byline to Belgium international midfielder Arne Engles, his pass across the box was superbly intercepted by the veteran French centre half. It would have been an easy finish for Idah.
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Player of the match - Aaron Trusty
Photo courtesy of Craig Williamson - SNS group/ Getty images
Another top-class defensive performance by the American international in Europe. Similar to his performance in Bergamo, Trusty was a mainstay in stopping any aerial threat from Dinamo Zagreb. The Celtic defender won five aerial duels, three ground duels, and two crucial blocks.
In possession, the Celtic defender completed 95% of his passes, and he was not dispossessed once.
Since arriving in the summer from Sheffield United, the American centre half has made himself a vital part of the Celtic backline.
Performances like tonight and the one against Atalanta will be key in helping Celtic progress further in the Champions League.
