Serie A leaders Atalanta are all set to host Spanish giants Real Madrid at the Stadio di Bergamo on Tuesday evening.
Reigning UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid find themselves in unfamiliar territory as qualification to the knockout round is not a given, and they will be eager to make amends with a win against Atalanta who are inside the top eight and can secure a direct spot in the round of 16.
The home team are fifth on the UEFA Champions League table with 11 points in five outings thanks to three wins and two draws. Atalanta have won their last two European fixtures and are heading into this fixture on the back of nine straight wins in all competitions.
La Deal have been on a dominant run since the start of the season and find themselves at the top of the Serie A. While everything seems to be going their way and they are heading into this fixture on the back of a win over AC Milan, Real Madrid could present a completely different challenge.
Los Blancos are second in La Liga, they are two points behind league leaders Barcelona with a game in hand. While things are slowly back on track for Real Madrid in the league, their UEFA Champions League campaign has not been good enough so far.
The Merengues are 24th on the table having lost three out of their five games. Their last two Champions League outings against AC Milan and Liverpool have both ended in a defeat. If they fail to win against Atalanta, their qualification hopes will take a major hit.
The two teams met earlier in the season for the UEFA Super Cup, and that game ended in favour of Real Madrid, who secured a 2-0 win. But, this could be a completely different affair given how things have changed in recent months. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad does not have any fresh injury concerns heading into this fixture. However, they remain without the services of Juan Cuadrado, Gianluca Scamacca and Davide Zappacosta.
The home team will line up in a 3-4-3 formation, where Marco Carnesecchi will be in goal. The back three will consist of Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac. The centre-backs will be looking for a clean sheet and they will receive significant support from Raoul Bellanova and Matteo Ruggeri, who will feature as wing-backs.
In the centre of the park, the highly sought-after Ederson will partner with Marten de Roon. The duo will look to control the tempo and ensure Madrid midfielders do not end up having the majority of the ball.
Mateo Retegui will return to the starting XI, and he will be leading the line for Atalanta against Real Madrid, with Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere on the flanks.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Retegui, Lookman
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti’s team have received a massive boost ahead of this all-important fixture as Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes are all back available.
The Real Madrid number 7 is back sooner than expected and should be in the starting XI alongside Rodrygo as well as Bellingham. However, Ferland Mendy has joined Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga on the sidelines.
Real Madrid will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia will be the full-backs, with Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger in the heart of the defence.
Aurelien Tchouameni will be the defensive midfielder, with Bellingham and Federico Valverde in his support. They will look to dictate the pace and ensure they have the majority of the possession. Finally, Vinicius will take up his spot the left flank with Rodrygo on the right and Kylian Mbappe down the middle.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, F Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Key Stats
Tuesday’s clash will be the fourth meeting between Atalanta and Real Madrid. Los Blancos have won each of the previous three, including one already this season (2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup in August).
Atalanta are on a nine-match winning streak across competitions.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have only won two out of their last seven games against Spanish teams.
Los Blancos have only won 12 out of their last 38 away matches against Italian clubs.
Charles De Ketelaere has been directly involved in six goals in five appearances for Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League this season (two goals, four assists). No player has ever been involved in more in a single campaign for the Serie A club, with six being the joint-most, alongside Duvan Zapata from 2021/22.
Player to Watch
Vinicius Junior
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The Brazilian international missed Real Madrid’s last four games because of a muscular problem. However, he is back before time and will be looking to help Los Blancos save their UEFA Champions League campaign. The 24-year-old has scored 12 goals and also eight assists in his 18 outings so far, and he will be looking to add to his tally against Atalanta.
Prediction
Atalanta 1-3 Real Madrid
The Spanish giants have a terrible record in the UCL this season having lost three out of their five games. Having lost their last two European fixtures against AC Milan and Liverpool, their backs are against the wall heading into this fixture against Atalanta, who are inside the top eight.
While La Dea seem to be the favourites at this stage, Los Blancos have a lot at stake, and they will go all-out attack for all three points. Ultimately, Carlo Ancelotti’s men should find their level, with the returning Vinicius Junior making the difference. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 for the away side.