“Celtic are a really good, serious team,” Dinamo Zagreb winger

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The Celtic Star

·12 Desember 2024

“Celtic are a really good, serious team,” Dinamo Zagreb winger

Dinamo Zagreb winger Marco Pjaca labels Celtic a ‘serious team’ in his assessment of the encounter between both sides on Tuesday evening at the Maksimir Stadium…

GNK Dinamo players pose for a photo prior to the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

The 29 year-old failed to replicate his famous hat-trick against Celtic 10 years ago in Croatia’s capital when Dinamo Zagreb defeated Ronny Deila’s men 4-3 in the Europa League group stages.

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The hosts, similar to the visitors created very little in match-day six of the Champions League group phase, and it could prove to be a missed opportunity for Pjaca and his teammates.

Dinamo Zagreb play Arsenal at the Emirates

Heading to the Emirates to face Arsenal in January before welcoming Italian giants AC Milan at the Maksimir for their final game of the group phase, the chances of Zagreb reaching the Champions League knockout playoff round looks unlikely.

Amassing a credible eight points from six matches, a win in either of their final two matches would seal a top 24 position, but Celtic was more than likely their best chance of reaching those elusive 10 points.

Meanwhile, despite receiving criticism for the way they played, Celtic are one step closer to knockout stage football for the first time in 12 years.

Callum McGregor acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor both spoke after the game about how disappointed they felt about Celtic’s lack of attacking quality, but agreed a draw was a fair result.

“Celtic are a really good, serious team”

Likewise, when analysing Dinamo Zagreb’s performance post-match to UEFA.com, Marco Pjaco explained that, “Celtic are a really good, serious team who have been in great form recently. Remember, they have only lost once in the Champions League this season and that was away to Borussia Dortmund.”

“So I think we can be proud of our display and we looked really solid throughout the game. This was a fair result, although we did have some opportunities to win it, including one from me. It was a shame their keeper made such a good save.”

Paulo Bernardo of Celtic takes a free kick during the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

“Celtic had more of the ball in the first half”

Pjaco added: “Celtic had more of the ball in the first half, but in the second half, we pressed higher up and were better. I thought we defended well and we go into the remaining games of the tournament with optimism now. Our main priority now is to start picking up some wins in the league.”

The Hoops will need to wait just over a month before their next Champions League encounter which is against Swiss champions BSC Young Boys. The objective is simple, a victory guarantees Celtic a top 24 place. Anything less, and it’ll be nervy stuff heading to Villa Park for the final match.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties

By popular demand, both volumes of Celtic in the Thirties are now available on Amazon Kindle, with the links to order below. Signed copies of both volumes are available on hardback from Celtic Star Books and if you would like author Matt Corr to add a special Christmas dedication to your copies please let us know. Postage deadline for Christmas is next Wednesday. Order hardback copies HERE or for Amazon Kindle click on the links below…

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