Atalanta Hosts Chelsea, Spurs Hosts The Czech Side – An Evening of Champions League Action
All eyes shifts towards a crucial night of European football. Two intriguing encounters headline the schedule, as teams competing for vital standings as the group phase continues.
The Chelsea Conundrum
Which iteration of Chelsea will appear on Italian soil? Their previous European performance served as a declaration, an emphatic 3-0 victory over the Catalan giants that stood as a high point for their manager's reign. Yet, form has been elusive afterwards. A solid tie with Arsenal came before a defeat at Leeds, followed by a lackluster draw at Bournemouth means they arrive with confidence drained.
They face a tricky Atalanta who are tied in the standings with them. The Italian side endured a heavy opening defeat in Paris yet have gone undefeated on the continent since, defying their modest results in Serie A.
Tottenham's Test
Similar to their rivals, Ange Postecoglou's side have been famously inconsistent. A 5-3 defeat in Paris, sandwiched between disappointing losses to Arsenal and Fulham, had increased scrutiny on manager Thomas Frank. However, recent league results – four points available – have provided a measure of calm.
This evening, they host Czech opponents yet to win in this year's tournament. This is exactly the type of match that simply must be won if they are of climbing towards the knockout places, particularly given upcoming games against Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt still to come.
The Evening's Other Games
The action is not limited to those two matches. One notable game, Barcelona will look to respond after their loss as they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt. Meanwhile, free-scoring PSV will provide a major challenge for the backline of Atlético Madrid. Rounding out the night, AS Monaco hosts the Turkish champions in a match which promises of a potential high-scoring affair. Every game begin at 8pm GMT.
A crucial night for the tournament standings awaits, with teams striving for their path into the latter stages.
