UEFA Youth League
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Stadion Ivan Laljak-Ivić, Zagreb

DINAMO ZAGREB…2

(Sutalo 1, Rimac 35)

CELTIC…1

(Cummings 43)

The league phase of Celtic’s UEFA Youth League campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia this afternoon, with the young Celts already guaranteed a place in the knockout round after their impressive results throughout the campaign.

The Bhoys got off to the worst possible start, conceding within the first 60 seconds. Aidan Rice made a good save in the build-up, but the rebound was turned in from close range by Andelo Sutalo.

Stephen McManus’ Bhoys recovered well after their early setback and started to take control of the possession as they hunted for a leveller.

With 28 minutes played, Daniel Cummings found himself with a good chance to make it 1-1 after Jude Bonnar picked him out at the near post with a ball in from the wing.

Cummings used his pace and strength to get in front of the defender and get a touch on the ball, but his effort crept just wide of the post.

On the half-hour mark, Kyle Ure had a chance from the edge of the area after Josh Dede’s powerful cut-back.

Ure connected well with the ball, but his shot rose high over the bar. The chance, however, exemplified just how quickly the young Hoops were able to open Dinamo up.

In the 33rd minute, Dinamo had a big chance to make it 2-0 when a volley from Patrik Horvat almost nestled in the bottom corner of the net. That effort came as a warning shot for what would follow a few moments later

With 35 minutes played, some neat link-up play between Horvat and Sepic on Dinamo’s left wing resulted in Leo Rimac having the opportunity to strike from close range.

Rimac’s effort was too powerful and quick for Rice to do anything about, and despite their positive play, the Celts found themselves 2-0 down.

Even after having suffered the blow of a second goal, the Hoops continued on their mission to find a route to Dinamo’s goal and just before half time, the opportunity presented itself.

A nice touch from Samuel Isiguzo sent the ball in to the path of Daniel Cummings, who progressed towards the edge of the box.

Cummings curled a sensational effort towards the top corner, leaving Rajic with absolutely no chance of getting a hand to it as it cruised in to the net.

The Celts started the second period well, winning a few corners in quick succession at the start of the half and carving out a few half chances.

However, despite their strong start to the half, the Bhoys were unable to make any of their chances count, with a few shots from inside the box blocked or drifting just wide of the post.

Clearly irked by the fact that the Hoops had the better of the play, Dinamo started to commit a few cynical fouls in an attempt to interrupt Celtic’s rhythm, resulting in the game becoming a bit scrappy throughout the second period

With just shy of 70 minutes played, Celtic had a huge chance to equalise. Jude Bonnar slipped the ball through a Dinamo defender’s legs, allowing Mitchel Frame the chance to cross.

Frame found Josh Dede in space inside the box, however Dede’s shot from close range was well saved by Antonio Rajic.

The Celts continued to press forward in search of an equaliser and with almost 80 minutes played, Daniel Cummings was cynically fouled in the middle of the park as he advanced in to space with the ball.

From the resultant free kick, Kyle Ure picked out Lenny Agbaire with a perfectly weighted ball in to the box, bug Agbaire’s header crept just wide of the post.

Right at the death, the Hoops won a series of corners which were well delivered by Francis Turley, leaving Dinamo fearing that they were about to concede a late equaliser, but it wasn’t to be for the Bhoys and the match ended 2-1.

Full credit has to go to Stephen McManus, his staff and his team, not only for their impressive UYL campaign so far, but also for the way that they approached today’s match.

Despite the match being played on a dreadful playing surface, the Bhoys attacked the game with intensity, speed and creativity, and were unfortunate not to find an equaliser in the second period.

CELTIC: Rice, Donovan, Robertson, Agbaire, Frame, Ure, Bonnar, Turley, Isiguzo (McArdle 73), Dede (Pickford 83'), Cummings

Subs: Shaw, Patterson, Davidson, Haddow, Hale, Borland, Hartington

Battling Celtic B team come close in tight game