Not content with branding Atlético Madrid as one of the finest teams in Europe, Brendan Rodgers used the eve of this Champions League joust to declare Celtic were facing a side that should be classed among the world’s best. As Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma sent Celtic in front at separate first-half moments, Rodgers looked poised to oversee the kind of memorable European occasion that has been missing from these parts for far too long.
Atlético, as one of the favourites to win this competition, had other ideas. Twice they hit back at Celtic. The Spanish team may feel they should have gone further given second half territorial dominance but Celtic contributed enough to a pulsating contest to deserve their point. They are justifiably off the mark in Group E.
“I thought it was a terrific performance,” said Rodgers. “It was everything that I wanted but it was important for us to get a result as well as a performance. We showed that we could really compete with a top level team. They’ll fly back to Spain knowing they had a really tough game.”
Celtic’s board had made a detailed plea to their supporters on the afternoon of this match that Palestinian flags should not be flown. Those directors would surely have known the request would be in vain. Long-time sympathies for the people of Palestine, expressed by an element of the Celtic following for a lengthy period, have been intensified by escalation of the Israel-Hamas war. Palestine flags were duly waved before kick-off, not only by the vociferous Green Brigade group – with whom Celtic are now at constant odds – but throughout the north and east stands. A token Uefa fine, one assumes, will be forthcoming.
There was soon something on the pitch to focus on. Inside five minutes, Furuhashi played a one-two with Matt O’Riley before flicking beyond the advancing Jan Oblak. The tight angle attached to the Japanese forward’s goal – his second in as many Champions League games – meant it was worthy of huge credit.
While Atlético were neat in possession, their efforts were generally wild and from long range. From a rare moment of visiting promise, Joe Hart blocked Antoine Griezmann’s shot following a wonderful reverse pass from Rodrigo De Paul. Diego Simeone, who is excitable at the best of times, was visibly agitated by Atlético’s ragged start.
Salvation arrived from the penalty spot and Greg Taylor’s carelessness. Celtic’s left back clipped the back leg of Nahuel Molina as the defender advanced towards goal. Griezmann’s penalty was palmed onto a post by Hart but the France forward retained his composure to slam home the rebound.
Rather than sulk, Celtic responded in kind. Axel Witsel took the bizarre approach of ducking under a Daizen Maeda cross, which therefore reached the back post boot of Palma. The young Honduran’s fierce shot beat Oblak via the goalkeeper’s right-hand post. Celtic’s intensity, mixed with some excellent football, meant they fully merited re-establishment of their lead. Only a fine high stop from Oblak prevented O’Riley from adding a third before the break.
Now for the tricky part. Atlético were unlikely to take kindly to Celtic out-performing them in so many areas. Two half time substitutions from Simeone – Rodrigo Riquelme and Marcos Llorente entered the fray – emphasised the manager’s annoyance.
Llorente was key to the evening’s fourth goal. A menacing ball from the right flank caught out the Celtic rearguard, with Álvaro Morata stooping to head back across Hart. Morata had been anonymous until this point; the improvisation attached to his finish epitomised a top level striker.
It was Rodgers’ turn to decide whether to stick or twist. Celtic’s manager took the rare step of moving to a back five for the closing half hour, the Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips replacing the tiring Palma. Llorente watched a deflected shot fly just narrowly wide. Witsel supplied a last-gasp block to deny O’Riley. Celtic carried danger but looked vulnerable when the Spaniards forward.
Ángel Correa forced Hart into a sharp stop with his feet. Yet the away team were to play the closing seven minutes plus stoppage time with 10 men after De Paul collected a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Paulo Bernardo. Atlético, like Celtic, settled for parity from there.
“We struggled to contain them early on,” admitted Simeone. “I was really pleased with the second half, it was a Champions League performance from us. We showed personality and took responsibility.”
