Atalanta and Bologna Face Crucial Champions League Matches

BERGAMO, Italy — Atalanta and Bologna are set for pivotal Champions League clashes on Tuesday, with Atalanta hosting Sturm Graz at the Gewiss Stadium and Bologna welcoming Borussia Dortmund to Stadio Dallu2019Ara. Both Italian teams are fighting to keep their European campaigns alive as the group stage reaches its climax.

Atalanta, currently 13th in the Champions League standings, will look to bounce back from a recent dip in form. Gian Piero Gasperiniu2019s side has gone winless in their last five matches across all competitions, including a 3-2 loss to Napoli in Serie A on Saturday. Despite this, they remain hopeful of securing a top-eight finish, which would guarantee direct qualification for the knockout stage. Gasperini is expected to field an attacking trio of Mateo Retegui, Ademola Lookman, and Charles De Ketelaere, with Lookman potentially resting to make way for Marco Brescianini.

Sturm Graz, sitting 29th in the competition, faces an uphill battle. The Austrian side has yet to secure a win against Italian opposition in the Champions Leagueu2019s 32-year history, with a record of three draws and 11 defeats. Their hopes of advancing rest on a strong performance in Bergamo, but their inexperience and recent transfer departures, including key forward Mika Biereth, could prove costly.

Meanwhile, Bologna, who have collected just two points from six matches, are already on the brink of elimination. Their final home game in the Champions League this season will see them face a formidable Borussia Dortmund side. Despite their struggles, motivation remains high as they aim to end their campaign on a positive note. The match is expected to draw a sold-out crowd at Stadio Dallu2019Ara.

Both games will be broadcast live, with Atalanta vs. Sturm Graz airing on TNT Sports 2 and Bologna vs. Borussia Dortmund on TNT Sports 5 in the UK. In the U.S., all Champions League matches are available for streaming on Paramount+.

Atalantau2019s recent history against Sturm Graz offers some optimism, as they went unbeaten in two Europa League group-stage matches against the Austrian side last season. However, their home form in the Champions League has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last 10 fixtures at the Gewiss Stadium.

For Sturm Graz, the challenge is steep. Manager Christian Ilzer has emphasized the importance of staying competitive, but his young squad, which includes several teenagers, may struggle against Atalantau2019s experienced lineup. The Austrian champions have won only one of their 15 away games in the Champions League to date.

As the clock ticks down to kickoff, both Italian teams are under pressure to deliver. Atalantau2019s quest for a top-eight finish and Bolognau2019s desire to end their campaign with pride will be put to the test in what promises to be a thrilling evening of European football.