Celtic have more reason to smile in the Champions League after what Atalanta have just done

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Celtic will go into their Champions League clash against RB Leipzig on Tuesday night with a spring in their step.

This comes after Celtic recorded a goalless draw at Atalanta last time out and showcased a side to their game not many have seen before.

One of the biggest kryptonites of Brendan Rodgers’ game is not being able to make it work away from home in big Champions League matches.

That was proven again when Celtic were hit for seven by Borussia Dortmund, but the response to that was pretty impressive.

Some tried to dismiss Celtic’s point against Atalanta – a team who won the Europa League last season after beating German champions, Bayer Leverkusen, who went the whole campaign unbeaten.

But this is a serious team that might just go deep in the competition and they have just proven again what a job Celtic did on October 23.

Atalanta thrash Napoli 3-0 in Serie A

One of the stories of the season over in Italy is the return of serial winner Antonio Conte after he took over at Napoli in the summer.

There was pressure and expectation that Conte might lead Napoli to glory and, up until the weekend, they were flying at the top of the table, including recently beating AC Milan.

But then Atalanta came to Naples and beat them 3-0 to showcase their own title credentials and prove the threat that they possess.

Before the game, Conte’s side had only conceded five goals from ten matches, as Serie A’s top scorers proved what a sterling job Celtic’s defence did on that night.

Ademola Lookman was a man Rodgers tried to sign for Celtic and he netted a brace at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and now the title talk has begun for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

How are RB Leipzig fairing ahead of Celtic Champions League trip?

Two home Champions League ties now await Celtic and this is their chance to push further up the table in trying to cement a play-off spot.

There is still a long way to go and the 36-man table is pretty crowded, as you would expect.

But this is Celtic’s chance to make themselves comfortable and inflict more misery on an RB Leipzig side who suffered their first league defeat of the season at the weekend.

Borussia Dortmund recorded a 2-1 win over Leipzig – who have lost all three of their European games so far.

After the match, RB coach Marco Rose was pretty honest in his assessment and Celtic will have to be wary of a reaction, as he told Leipzig’s official website.

“There’s no doubt that it was a thoroughly deserved win for BVB,” said Rose.

“They were better than us in many regards tonight. They were more physical, better on the ball and made better decisions. I’m not doubting my team’s desire, Borussia Dortmund were simply the better team.”