It was only four months ago that Atalanta and Real Madrid met each other in the UEFA Super Cup with Los Blancos emerging 2-0 winners in a game that was defined by Kylian Mbappé’s first competitive goal in all-white.
By Graham Ruthven
A European rematch
At that time of that Super Cup triumph, many anticipated that Mbappé’s debut goal would accelerate his integration into Carlo Ancelotti’s team, but the Frenchman has struggled to find a role in his new side despite scoring 11 goals in all competitions.
Having won just two of their five fixtures so far in this season’s Champions League, Real Madrid need points on the board to be certain of their place in the next round. Those points will be hard to come by in Bergamo.
Atalanta are currently leading the way at the top of Serie A and are growing into genuine Scudetto challengers. Gian Piero Gasperini has been Atalanta manager for eight years, but La Dea look stronger than ever under his stewardship.
Friday’s 2-1 victory over AC Milan was Atalanta’s ninth successive win in all competitions. They have also dropped points in this season’s Champions League just twice – against Arsenal and Celtic.
Key players
Real Madrid might have a team of Galacticos, but Atalanta have some stars of their own, particularly in the attack where they have the talent to put the defending European champions to the sword.
Mateo Retegui is the top scorer in Serie A this season with 12 goals in 15 appearances while Ademola Lookman is a consistent threat off the left wing with his dribbling ability and eye for goal.
Charles De Ketelaere is in exceptional form having registered 12 direct goal contributions in his last eight games (all comps) including a goal in the 2-1 win over former club AC Milan that sent Atalanta top of Serie A.
Jude Bellingham has looked like his old self in recent outings for Real Madrid, scoring in each of his last three games. Meanwhile, Mbappé has been more comfortable recently with Vinícius Júnior on the sidelines through injury.
Fede Valverde will likely start in Real Madrid’s midfield unit after filling in at right back recently with the Uruguayan’s energy and work ethic important in the centre of the pitch.
At the back, Raúl Asencio is expected to partner Antonio Rüdiger. The former Castilla defender has eased Real Madrid’s defensive injury crisis and has looked the part at the back recently.
Team news
Juan Cuadrado, Gianluca Scamacca and Davide Zappacosta will all be unavailable for Atalanta’s home match against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Otherwise, Gasperini has a fully fit squad to choose from. Retegui could come back into the lineup after starting the win over AC Milan on the bench, although Mario Pašalić could keep his place after impressing.
Vinícius could make a return from injury, but David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and Éder Militão remain unavailable for Real Madrid. Ancelotti will have no choice but to once again use a makeshift backline.
Prediction
It could be revenge time for the impressive Serie A leaders, so Atalanta 2-1 Real Madrid.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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