All eyes is on an important night of European football. Two compelling encounters headline the schedule, with teams fighting for vital points as the group phase continues.
Which iteration of Chelsea will appear in Bergamo? Their previous European outing served as a declaration, a comprehensive 3-0 victory against the Catalan giants which was a high point for Enzo Maresca's tenure. However, results has proven unpredictable since then. A solid tie with Arsenal came before a loss away to Leeds United, followed by a lackluster draw on the south coast means they arrive with momentum drained.
Awaiting them is a dangerous Atalanta who are level on points alongside them. The Italian side suffered a 4-0 opening defeat at PSG yet have gone undefeated on the continent ever since, contrasting somewhat mid-table results in Serie A.
Much like their rivals, Ange Postecoglou's side have been famously inconsistent. A 5-3 loss away to PSG, coming between painful defeats to Arsenal and Fulham, had increased scrutiny on boss the Danish coach. But, the last two domestic outings – a win and a draw available – have offered some stability.
Tonight, they host a Slavia Prague side still searching for their first victory in this year's tournament. These are precisely the kind of match that simply must be won for any hopes to climb into the top eight, particularly given upcoming games versus Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt still to come.
The drama is not limited to England and Italy. One notable game, the Blaugrana will aim to respond after their loss as they welcome the German side. Meanwhile, free-scoring PSV will provide a major challenge to the defence of Diego Simeone's team. Finally, AS Monaco entertains Galatasaray in an encounter that has all the makings to be a goal-fest. Every game kick off this evening.
A pivotal evening for the tournament standings is upon us, with teams striving to secure a route into the latter stages.
A financial analyst with over a decade of experience in trading and market research, specializing in technical analysis and risk management.