Valencia vs Atalanta: A ghost comeback

Valencia will welcome Atalanta to an empty Mestalla this Tuesday evening hoping to overturn a 4-1 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

It's not an impossible result for Los Che, but it will require a perfect performance all over the pitch with a handful of goals and no defensive errors.

Mestalla's doors are closed because of the coronavirus, and the atmosphere will be bizarre as a result.

Valencia have chosen to remain silent after taking the decision to prevent fans from entering the stadium for the game, but Dani Parejo has criticised the inconsistencies of measures being taken.

Not having their fans in place won't help the side, as Mestalla would have believed in the comeback and roared the team on.

First things first: Don't concede

Valencia have to keep a clean sheet, but it won't be easy against Atalanta.

At the Stadio San Siro, the Italians scored four goals from their five shots on goal.

Ezequiel Garay and Gabriel Paulista are still out though, meaning Albert Celades will have to rebuild the defence.

Rodrigo Moreno has returned from injury, but Maxi Gomez is out.

Atalanta come into the fixture after 10 games off due to the coronavirus, but their last outing saw them win 7-2 away at Lecce.

Gian Piero Gasperini is only without Rafael Toloi, meaning Berat Djimsiti, Jose Luis Palomino and Mattia Caldara are likely to start at the back in front of Pierluigi Gollini.

Valencia know they need their attack to be on their game so that they can dream of a comeback.