The UEFA Champions League returns this week and on Tuesday night we have two Round of 16 matches to enjoy. One of those games sees Atalanta host Valencia at the San Siro in Milan.
This is not the official home stadium of Atalanta but they are playing their Champions League games at this venue because their current stadium does not meet UEFA standards.
Atalanta come into this match having secured an important 2-1 victory over Roma in Serie A on the weekend. That result means Atalanta remain in 4th place and have stretched their lead over Roma to 6 points. They are now in pole position to secure Champions League football again next season.
Atalanta are undefeated in their last 4 matches, all of which have been in Serie A. They have defeated Torino and Fiorentina away plus picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at home against Genoa.
In the Champions League this season, Atalanta started very slowly and lost each of their first 3 matches. They picked up a point against Manchester City at home in a 1-1 and that seemed to give them the belief to go on and win their next 2 games in the competition. Atalanta defeated Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 at home and then recorded an excellent 3-0 away win against Shakhtar Donetsk to eventually finish 2nd in the group.
Atalanta have scored at least 1 goal in each of their last 5 Champions League matches and have kept a clean sheet in their last 2 games.
Valencia travel to Italy having been held to a 2-2 draw at home by Atletico Madrid in La Liga on the weekend. However, that result means Valencia have failed to win their last 3 games in all competitions. Prior to the draw against Atletico Madrid they lost 2-1 at Granada in the Copa del Rey and 3-0 at Getafe in La Liga.
Away form shows 2 wins in their last 6 matches in all competitions both of which have come against lower league opposition in the Copa del Rey. In contrast, Valencia’s away form in the Champions League has been very good and they are undefeated on the road in the competition this season. Valencia have defeated Chelsea and Ajax away from home plus picked up a draw at Lille.
Valencia have scored one goal in each of their three away Champions League games this season.
Team news and Atalanta will be without the injured Bosko Sutalo who has an ankle problem. He is the only player who is likely to miss out for the hosts.
Valencia are without central defender Ezequiel Garay for the rest of the season. They also have doubts over several players including Cristiano Piccini, Gabriel Paulista, Francis Coquelin, Jasper Cillessen, Manu Vallejo and Rodrigo.
Valencia could be without a couple of key players for this match but their away form in the Champions League has been good this season. Atalanta have improved as the season developed and we could see a draw in this game, with both teams scoring. That would set things up nicely for the second leg in Spain.