Reigning Champions League titleholders Real Madrid are set to check their mettle in opposition to Serie A frontrunners Atalanta BC in a pivotal showdown at Stadio di Bergamo on Tuesday night time.
With contrasting fortunes in Europe this season, the stakes couldn’t be larger for each groups.
Los Blancos have had an uncharacteristically turbulent Champions League marketing campaign, sitting precariously in twenty fourth place with simply six factors from 5 matches.
While their home kind has been redeemed of late, highlighted by a powerful 3-0 win over Girona that retains them second in La Liga, Real Madrid have struggled to impose their famed dominance on Europe.
Their latest continental outings embody three losses, together with stumbles in opposition to AC Milan and Liverpool.
However, historical past favors the Spanish giants: They have received their final eight matches on Italian soil and have a storied legacy, boasting 15 European Cups, the newest secured in opposition to Borussia Dortmund earlier this 12 months.
Ancelotti’s arsenal bolstered
The return of attacking trio Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham offers Carlo Ancelotti a well timed increase.
Vinicius, sidelined with a muscular problem for 4 video games, is again sooner than anticipated and is prone to begin.
Meanwhile, Bellingham has recovered from a health scare, and Rodrygo has shaken off a latest knock.
Defensively, nonetheless, accidents stay a priority.
Ferland Mendy joins the unavailable listing, alongside Eder Militao, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga.
Fran Garcia is anticipated to fill the void at left-back.
Atalanta’s meteoric rise
Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions, are having fun with a dream season.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet leads Serie A with 34 factors from 15 matches, using a nine-game profitable streak throughout all competitions.
A 2-1 conquer AC Milan on Friday underlined their credentials as one in all Europe’s elite.
Their Champions League journey has been equally spectacular.
With 11 factors from 5 video games, La Dea sits comfortably in fifth, because of an aggressive strategy that has seen them web 11 targets in three away wins.
However, their house kind has been much less convincing, with scoreless attracts in opposition to Arsenal and Celtic.
Key gamers
The hosts will depend on the deadly Mateo Retegui, who boasts 14 targets in 21 appearances this season. Ademola Lookman (10 targets, 5 assists) and Charles De Ketelaere (5 targets, 9 assists) are additionally pivotal of their attacking arsenal.
Despite lacking Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta, and Juan Cuadrado, Atalanta’s depth ensures they continue to be a formidable opponent.
Historical edge
This would be the second encounter between the 2 sides this season, following Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory within the UEFA Super Cup again in August.
Atalanta’s observe report in opposition to Spanish opposition stays shaky, with simply two wins in seven matches.
For Real Madrid, the problem is evident: keep their unbroken streak of 28 consecutive {qualifications} for the Champions League knockout levels.
A victory in Bergamo may set the tone for the rest of the group section, which incorporates matchups in opposition to Red Bull Salzburg and Brest.
Source: www.dailysabah.com