Atalanta Takes On Chelsea, Spurs Welcomes Slavia Prague – A Night of European Football
All eyes shifts towards a crucial round of continental clashes. Two fascinating matches headline the schedule, as sides battling for crucial standings as the group phase continues.
A Question Mark Over Chelsea
What version of Chelsea will appear in Bergamo? Their last Champions League outing served as a declaration, an emphatic three-goal win against the Catalan giants which was a high point for Enzo Maresca's reign. However, results has proven elusive afterwards. A solid tie against Arsenal was followed by a defeat at Leeds, and a dour draw on the south coast means they arrive with momentum sapped.
Awaiting them is a tricky Atalanta who are level on points alongside them. La Dea suffered a 4-0 opening defeat at PSG yet have gone undefeated in Europe ever since, defying somewhat mid-table results in Serie A.
A Must-Win for Tottenham
Much like their London counterparts, Tottenham can be famously inconsistent. A heavy loss away to PSG, sandwiched between disappointing losses in the Premier League, had increased scrutiny on manager the Danish coach. However, recent league results – a win and a draw available – have offered a measure of calm.
This evening, they host a Slavia Prague side still searching for their first victory in the competition. These are exactly the type of fixture which Spurs need to secure three points from if they are to climb into the top eight, especially with upcoming games against Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt still to come.
Other Key Fixtures
The action is not limited to England and Italy. One notable game, Barcelona will aim to respond after their loss as they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt. At the same time, free-scoring PSV will provide a major challenge for the defence of Atlético Madrid. Rounding out the night, AS Monaco entertains Galatasaray in a match that has all the makings of a potential high-scoring affair. All matches kick off this evening.
A pivotal evening in the group stage awaits, as clubs striving for a route towards the knockout rounds.