Sports
Celtic Hold Firm to Earn Valuable Point in Goalless Draw Against Atalanta
Celtic delivered a resolute defensive performance to secure a vital point in a 0-0 draw against last season’s Europa League champions, Atalanta, in Bergamo. The Scottish champions, who had lost all seven of their previous matches in Italy in the Champions League, defied history and immense pressure from the Serie A side to stay firmly in contention for the knockout stages.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was instrumental in keeping Celtic in the game, making a string of crucial saves, while Atalanta squandered several clear chances. Despite dominating much of the play and bombarding Celtic’s defense with crosses, Atalanta struggled to break down the determined Scottish side.
Celtic’s result comes as a significant boost after their earlier group-stage experiences, where they enjoyed a 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava but were humiliated 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund. This draw marks only their second-ever away clean sheet in the competition, a testament to their improved defensive organization.
Atalanta’s strategy to exploit Celtic’s vulnerability to crosses was clear, but the visitors held firm. Mario Pasalic came closest to scoring for the hosts, seeing his header rattle the crossbar in the first half, with Schmeichel beaten. Schmeichel also produced fine stops to deny Ademola Lookman and Mateo Retegui, particularly in a challenging spell before halftime.
Celtic, while primarily focused on defense, had a few notable moments going forward. Nicolas Kuhn broke into the box after outpacing the Atalanta defense, though he was eventually crowded out. Early in the second half, Alex Valle almost gave Celtic the lead with a deflected strike that required a save from Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi.
As the game progressed, Atalanta continued to apply pressure, with Marten de Roon’s powerful effort forcing another save from Schmeichel. Celtic substitute Kyogo Furuhashi had a late chance, but his lobbed effort landed just wide of the mark.
Despite Atalanta’s dominance in possession, Celtic’s defensive resilience frustrated the Italian side, and the visitors held out for a well-earned point. The draw leaves Celtic with four points from three games and two upcoming home fixtures against RB Leipzig and Club Brugge, giving them a solid platform in their quest to reach the knockout stages.
Celtic’s traveling fans were full of praise at the final whistle, celebrating a determined and disciplined display that keeps their European hopes alive.
The knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League is set to deliver high-stakes encounters, with Chelsea drawn against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will meet Real Madrid in what marks the fifth consecutive season the two sides have faced off in the competition’s knockout rounds.
Despite six Premier League teams reaching the last 16, there will be no all-English ties. League leaders Arsenal are set to take on Bayer Leverkusen, while Newcastle United face Barcelona.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have been paired with Galatasaray, and Tottenham Hotspur will go up against Atlético Madrid.
The first-leg matches are scheduled for 10 and 11 March, with return fixtures set for 17 and 18 March.
Chelsea’s meeting with PSG revives memories of last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final, where the Blues secured a 3-0 victory over the European champions in New Jersey.
Manchester City, Newcastle and Liverpool have all already faced their respective opponents during the league phase this season, adding familiarity to the upcoming contests.
Looking ahead in the bracket, a successful run could see Newcastle and Tottenham meet in the quarter-finals, while Chelsea may face Liverpool should both sides advance.
The competition will culminate at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday, 30 May, where Europe’s next champions will be crowned.
The timing of the Africa Cup of Nations played a decisive role in why Manchester United opted not to pursue Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, according to former first-team coach Benni McCarthy.
Osimhen had emerged as one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards after netting 26 league goals during the 2022–23 season, powering Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
McCarthy, who was part of the Old Trafford coaching setup under then manager Erik ten Hag, revealed he had been involved in striker recruitment discussions and viewed Osimhen as an ideal fit for the club.
However, the biennial scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations — which often overlaps with the European club season — ultimately proved a significant obstacle.
Despite Osimhen initially topping the shortlist, concerns about his absence during international duty led United to explore alternative options.
The club instead moved to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for £72m in August 2023. The Danish forward went on to score 26 goals in 95 appearances before joining Napoli on loan last September.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s career continued its upward trajectory. He was crowned African Footballer of the Year in 2023 and later joined Galatasaray on loan in September 2024, before completing a permanent move to the Turkish side last July.
Legal proceedings are steadily progressing in Nigeria following the tragic road accident that left British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua injured late last year.
The driver involved in the fatal crash has now appeared before a magistrates’ court in Ogun State, marking another step forward in the judicial process as authorities continue working toward clarity and accountability.
The accident occurred on 29 December along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a major route in south-west Nigeria. Joshua sustained injuries in the collision and received medical treatment before being discharged from hospital just two days later, highlighting a positive turn in his personal recovery.
Tragically, members of his training team — personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength coach Sina Ghami — lost their lives when their vehicle collided with a stationary lorry near Lagos.
The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, who was behind the wheel at the time of the incident, faces multiple charges including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, operating a vehicle without due care, and driving without a valid licence.
At Wednesday’s hearing, the 46-year-old made his second court appearance. Prosecutors informed the court that additional time is required to finalise evidence preparation, reflecting ongoing efforts to ensure a thorough and transparent legal process.
The court subsequently adjourned proceedings until 13 March, allowing all parties time to prepare as the case continues to move forward.
Kayode has not yet entered a plea.
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