Much better from Everton now after that early Atalantan onslaught. Wayne Rooney is seeing plenty of possession as his latest long-range shot is charged down by Bryan Cristante.

First shot on goal for Everton and it's Gylfi Sigurdsson who takes aim from 25 yards. Arrow straight but right at Etrit Berisha in the Atalanta goal.

Seconds later Wayne Rooney tries the chip from an angle, it's a well-flighted effort and it drifts over the top. Lovely effort though!

Image source, Reuters

They have spent big this summer and AC Milan will be looking at claiming at least one piece of silverware this season. They are already 2-0 up against Austria Vienna through new signings Hakan Calhanoglu and Andre Silva.

He likes a tackle, does Morgan Schneiderlin. That's a touch on the reckless side, a throwback tackle as he lunges in on Alejandro Gomez. He's not even booked.

Image source, Reuters

Atalanta's wing-backs are providing excellent width as Timothy Castagne cuts in on the left but, fortunately for Everton, he stands on the ball.

This is Everton's ninth game of the season already and the first of a potential 19 in the Europa League proper. That's a lot of football.

Wayne Rooney gets on the ball in his own half as Everton finally quell the early Atalanta pressure with some possession.

A roar goes up as Atalanta win another corner, Andrea Petagna has his shot blocked by Michael Keane.

Everton clear the corner but the counter-attack comes to an end thanks to a poor decision from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Breathless start!

Image source, Reuters

A very bright start from the hosts as they pen Everton in from that corner. They have started brilliantly.

Wayne Rooney has started on the left of the three behind the striker, with Nikola Vlasic to the right and Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 10 role.

Rooney has to track back to defend as Hans Hateboer gets forward and his cross is turned away for a corner!

Image source, Reuters

Away we go! Atalanta's 26-year wait for European football is over.

Atalanta may not be at home tonight - but their fans are certainly making some noise as the players emerge!

Fantastic stuff at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore.

Image source, AFP

Everton are in their grey kit tonight, lined up in the tunnel and primed. Here they come!

Austria Vienna are fourth in the Austrian Bundesliga, which has been up and running for seven or so weeks. They qualified after beating Croatian side Osijek in the play-offs via away goals. They were in the competition last year but failed to make it out of the group stage.

The new look Milan will go in as heavy favourites.

Arsene Wenger will rest a host of first-team players when Arsenal begin their Europa League campaign at home to FC Koln, but Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere may feature.

Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Granit Xhaka, Danny Welbeck and Alexandre Lacazette have all been left out of the squad

Wenger says the best way of returning to the Champions League next year is via a top-four Premier League finish.

"We did that for 20 years," he said.

"We got 75 points last year and overall, I am humble enough to be happy to win every competition," added the Frenchman.

"I think the best way to do it is through the Premier League."

Almost time for our first match of the night. I'm interested to see how Everton line up, with Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Nikola Vlasic all playing in behind striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Atalanta: Berisha, Toloi, Palomino, Masiello, Hateboer, Cristante, Freuler, de Roon, Castagne, Petagna, Gomez. Subs: Gollini, Orsolini, Cornelius, Caldara, Kurtic, Haas, Bastoni.

Everton: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Jagielka, Keane, Baines, Besic, Schneiderlin, Rooney, Vlasic, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Pickford, Williams, Sandro, Mirallas, Martina, Gueye, Klaassen.

Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (Russia)

Everton

Everton manager Ronald Koeman speaking to BT Sport: "We will play the type of football to win the game and to win the game you need to attack and you need to create opportunities to score.

"We weren't happy about (losing to Tottenham) last weekend and there are several reasons for changes in the team today.

"Atalanta are not playing in their own stadium but let's hope we get a good result away from home."

Image source, Reuters

Former European big boys AC Milan are arguably the standout team in this season's Champions League. They face an away tie to Austria Vienna tonight.

Their first outing in Europe since 2014, Vincenzo Montella's Milan side will be hoping this is the first step back to the big time. They have spent some Euros this summer, reinforcing their squad with the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Andre Silva, Nikola Kalinic (loan) and Hakan Calhanoglu. They have also snapped up Sunderland's Fabio Borini on loan.

Milan qualified for the competition after comfortably beating Macedonian side Shkendija 7-0 over two legs in the play-offs. After two wins in their opening games of Serie A, they're coming off the back of a 4-1 loss away to Lazio on Sunday.

The Atalanta fans have been in situ for a good hour already - they are not shy of playing in the Europa League.

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Image source, Reuters

Former Everton defender David Weir on BBC Radio 5 live earlier today: "It won’t be easy tonight but there is squad and depth to Everton. They have a good squad with young players. It will be difficult, they have a big game at Manchester United at the weekend, but that’s European football. Europe is something to strive for but the reality can sometimes be different.

"Football translates against all countries and the players play all over the world, so Atalanta will be used to the style of football.

"Wayne Rooney has fantastic experience, he is excited to be back at Everton. They lack experience with some of the young players but he can bridge that gap.

"Everton want to be in Europe every year. They don't want to disregard this competition but there are so many different leagues and cups."