Atalanta should play the primary leg of their Europa League Spherical of 16 tie towards Sporting CP on a Wednesday, in the future earlier than each different staff left within the draw, as a consequence of a scheduling conflict in Lisbon.
Sporting and Benfica, two Lisbon-based sides, have been each drawn at dwelling for the primary leg of the spherical of 16.
As is customary for causes referring to security, infrastructure and availability of assets, two groups from the identical metropolis is not going to be permitted to play dwelling matches on the identical day, even when the video games are performed in several stadia.
On this event, Benfica will play their fist leg towards Scottish Premier League facet Rangers on the normal Europa League Thursday. They may kick off at 20.00 GMT on March 7.
Atalanta, nonetheless, have had their away recreation towards Sporting moved forwards to Wednesday March 6, which is able to kick-off within the early night at 17.45 GMT.
It will likely be Atalanta’s second journey to the Estadio Jose Alvalade this season, as they’d been drawn in the identical Europa League group because the Portuguese heavyweights.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet are unbeaten towards Sporting this season, having received 2-1 in Portugal again in October, earlier than drawing 1-1 in Bergamo in December.
That is going to be nice 🤩#UELdraw pic.twitter.com/qGsdmmXgqP
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 23, 2024
