Chelsea will be looking to build on their excellent win against Barcelona in the Champions League when they face Atalanta on Tuesday.
Enzo Maresca’s men will welcome a change in scenery following their draw with Bournemouth and defeat to Leeds United in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be without Liam Delap following his shoulder injury, which he picked up at the Vitality Stadium.
Atalanta have been wasteful in the Champions League this season…
But they still have the talented Ademola Lookman. How can Enzo Maresca stop him?
Ademola Lookman of Atalanta makes his way to take a corner kick
Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
Atalanta’s attacking numbers in the Champions League Total
Games played 5
Goals 6
xG 10.61
xG difference -4.61
Shots 78
Shots per game 15.6
Via WhoScored
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Another attacker who will not be travelling to the New Balance Arena is Raheem Sterling.
An artistic view of Raheem Sterling of Manchester City
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Raheem Sterling scored 11-minute hat-trick against Atalanta in 2019
Sterling has fond memories of playing against Atalanta but remains in exile at Chelsea and has not been registered for the Champions League league phase.
In 2019, the forward scored an 11-minute hat-trick in Manchester City’s 5-1 victory over the Italian side.
Sterling is not playing at the moment, but he still has admirers in the game. For example, City youngster Nico O’Reilly recently lauded Sterling for his speed and technical skill.
Even so, the 31-year-old is not wanted at Chelsea, who have tried to offload him in the last two summer transfer windows.
With Sterling firmly out of the picture, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens are Enzo Maresca’s main two options for the left flank.
Enzo Maresca, manager of Chelsea FC looks on during a training session
Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images
Predicting Enzo Maresca’s attack for Atalanta clash
Sterling will definitely not be playing, while Cole Palmer was not seen in training on Monday.
Cole Palmer is set to miss Chelsea’s Champions League tie against Atalanta. Who would you like to see replace him?
Cole Palmer playing for Chelsea against Leeds
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
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Facundo Buonanotte could get a rare start in the No.10 position, then, though Joao Pedro being deployed there seems more likely. Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian could both flank the Brazilian, while Pedro Neto leads the line.
Neto is happy to play up front despite being a winger and started there in the 3-0 win against Barcelona.
Ultimately, with Delap injured and Palmer set to be rested as he is eased back into things, Maresca will be forced to make changes from the Bournemouth draw. With the way Chelsea played that day, it may benefit the Blues.
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