Champions League: Everything about Leipzig vs Spurs, Valencia vs Atalanta
German side RB Leipzig and Italian club Atalanta will be eyeing progression into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League 2019-20 season. Leipzig got a valuable 1-0 away victory in the first leg against Tottenham. Meanwhile, Atalanta thrashed Valencia 4-1 at home. Both teams are in the driving seat as far qualification is concerned. Here is the preview.
More trouble for Spurs as far injuries are concerned
The latest to join the injury table for Spurs is Steven Bergwijn, who suffered an ankle injury. The likes of Ben Davies, Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Moussa Sissoko and Juan Foyth are all sidelined. "We were psychologically more down with the other injuries [Kane and Son]. When you have three, four or five, to have six or seven is the same," Jose Mourinho said.
Crucial stats ahead of the Leipzig versus Spurs encounter
Spurs have only lost one of their five away Champions League games in Germany (W2 D2). The English side has been eliminated from eight of their last 10 major UEFA European knockout ties after losing the first leg. Notably, all three of Spurs' UCL defeats this season have been against German teams. Timo Werner hasn't found yet the net in six home UCL appearances.
Valencia host Atalanta in empty stadium
Atalanta, who made their debut in the Champions League this season, has one foot in the last eight. Spain's health ministry announced that the tie will be played in an empty stadium in order to contain the spread of coronavirus. "We're strong at home and the result from the first leg isn't a fair reflection of what happened in the game," said Albert Celades.
Atalanta looking to follow Leicester City with this record
Spanish club Valencia are winless in nine Champions League knockout stage matches. Should Atalanta reach the quarter-finals, they would become the first Champions League debutants to do so since Leicester City in 2016-17. Atalanta's 12 UCL goals this season have been scored by 10 different players of nine different nationalities.
Timing, TV listing and predicted winners
The matches will be telecast live on the Sony Ten Network. The games will start at 1:30 AM IST. One can stream the same on the Sony LIV app as well. Going by the first leg results, Leipzig and Atalanta are the favorites to progress.
