After a stunning victory against Girona in La Liga this Saturday, Real Madrid is set to face Atalanta Bergamo at the Gewiss Stadium in the Champions League. However, for Carlo Ancelotti and his players, this trip promises to be a challenging one. Here’s why!
The Champions League has always been Real Madrid’s favorite stage. Renowned worldwide for its rich history in this prestigious European competition, the reigning champions, who defeated Borussia Dortmund in last season’s final, are now navigating a tricky period. Surprisingly, Real’s performances, even with the addition of Kylian Mbappé, have been underwhelming in this new competition format.
Currently sitting at a worrying 24th place, on the brink of elimination, Los Blancos are fighting for survival against Atalanta this Tuesday. This clash, marking the 6th matchday of the regular phase, no longer sees Real as the overwhelming favorites. Despite their victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup more than three months ago, the dynamics have shifted dramatically since then.
The major challenges for Real Madrid
Despite being the world’s most prestigious club, Real Madrid is navigating a challenging period. Since their 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the Super Cup, the situation has changed drastically. The absence of Dani Carvajal, a defensive cornerstone in that win, is being sorely felt. His decisive performance in neutralizing Ademola Lookman is now just a memory, as he has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Éder Militão is also sidelined, and while Raúl Asensio has stepped in effectively as a central defender, the right flank is a much bigger concern.
Lucas Vázquez, now starting in place of Carvajal, has struggled to impress against technical and pacey opponents. His lack of confidence has been glaring in matches against teams like Dortmund (where young Bittens gave him serious trouble), Barcelona, Liverpool, and most recently, Athletic Bilbao. On Tuesday, he faces an even tougher challenge against Atalanta’s explosive Nigerian forward, in what promises to be a difficult duel.
On the left flank, the absence of Ferland Mendy compounds Madrid’s defensive issues. Although Fran García has been shining in La Liga, his performances in high-stakes matches have been less convincing, further exposing Madrid’s defense to potential vulnerabilities.
On the offensive front, Real Madrid faces several questions. Rodrygo Goes, who has been hampered by minor injuries in recent weeks, remains a major uncertainty regarding his fitness level. However, the main concern revolves around Vinicius Junior. Sidelined for several matches due to a thigh injury, the Brazilian winger—crucial to Madrid’s attacking play—has recently returned to full training. Yet, Carlo Ancelotti has not confirmed his availability for Tuesday’s crucial match. With these significant doubts, Real Madrid approaches the trip to Bergamo in a fragile state, especially as the atmosphere promises to be electric in a stadium currently buzzing with intensity.
The outstanding form of Gasperini’s men
Despite the winter season, Atalanta Bergamo is on fire. Since their loss to Como in Serie A on September 24, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team has maintained an impressive unbeaten streak. Over 14 matches, Atalanta has secured 12 victories, including standout wins against giants like Napoli, Roma, and AC Milan, whom they defeated this past Friday. Currently leading the Italian league, the Bergamaschi are also making waves in the Champions League, where they hold a strong fifth position in the regular season standings.
In an excellent position to secure a spot in the top 8, which grants direct qualification to the Round of 16, Atalanta Bergamo appears poised to dominate a Real Madrid side struggling for form. With a young and talented squad featuring players like Odilon Kossounou, Juan Cuadrado, the in-form Charles De Ketelaere, and Ademola Lookman, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have the tools to outplay a Madrid team that has failed to impress in big matches this season. Apart from a remarkable win against Dortmund, largely thanks to Vinicius Junior’s brilliance, Madrid has not delivered against top-tier opponents.
Should Vinicius Junior miss Tuesday’s clash, Real will need to rely on a true collective effort—something that has been sorely lacking this season—to have any hope of leaving Bergamo with a positive result.
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