Bergamo's Team Hosts Chelsea, Spurs Hosts The Czech Side – An Evening of European Football
The focus is on an important evening in the Champions League. Two compelling fixtures take center stage in the schedule, as teams competing for important points in the group stage.
The Chelsea Conundrum
What version of the London club will appear on Italian soil? Their last Champions League outing was a statement, an emphatic three-goal win over Barcelona that stood as a peak for their manager's tenure. However, results has been elusive since then. A solid draw with Arsenal came before a defeat away to Leeds United, followed by a lackluster draw on the south coast means they arrive with confidence sapped.
They face a tricky Atalanta who are level on points with them. La Dea endured a 4-0 opening defeat in Paris but have gone undefeated in Europe ever since, defying their mid-table domestic form.
Tottenham's Test
Similar to their London counterparts, Ange Postecoglou's side have been notoriously unreliable. A heavy defeat away to PSG, coming between painful defeats to Arsenal and Fulham, piled scrutiny on boss Thomas Frank. But, the last two domestic outings – four points from six – have offered some stability.
This evening, they host a Slavia Prague side yet to win in this year's tournament. These are exactly the type of match that simply must be won for any hopes to climb into the top eight, especially with forthcoming games against Borussia Dortmund and Frankfurt on the horizon.
The Evening's Other Games
The drama extends beyond those two matches. One key encounter, Barcelona will aim to respond after their loss when they host the German side. At the same time, free-scoring PSV Eindhoven pose a major challenge for the backline of Diego Simeone's team. Rounding out the night, Monaco entertains Galatasaray in an encounter which promises of a potential high-scoring affair. Every game begin this evening.
A pivotal night in the group stage awaits, with teams fighting for a route into the latter stages.
