Champions League: Pressure Builds on Real Madrid

Atalanta vs Real Madrid

They have crept up to within two points of the La Liga summit and now Real Madrid’s attention turns back to Europe where things aren’t going quite so well.

Champions League: Atalanta vs Real Madrid, is one of the eye-catching clashes of the week; not least because Los Blancos still have plenty of work to do to book a place in the knockout phase. Meanwhile Atalanta can take a huge step forward as they have started much better than the reigning champions. 

La Dea sits in fifth place in the table, with 11 points from five games while Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are down in 24^th place with six points. That is as low as Los Blancos can fall and still be in a play-off spot, so a bout away to Gian Piero Gasperini’s uber-confident Atalanta is not the sort of date they would have picked.         

Atalanta beat AC Milan at the weekend to climb to the top of Serie A 2-1, with Napoli still to play on Sunday while Real Madrid won 3-0 away to Girona to keep the pressure on the Blaugrana.  

 

Talking Points

Atalanta’s strikers are razor sharp

La Dea had her eyes on top spot when Milan visited on Saturday, and she won the prize thanks to a late goal from Ademola Lookman.  Atalanta opened the scoring through Charles De Ketelaere who headed home a free kick from Martin De Roon. I Rossoneri levelled when Rafael Leao teed up Alvaro Morata but then Lookman popped up on 87 minutes to grab all three points. It was the former Fulham man’s tenth goal of the season from 16 appearances and he isn’t even La Dea’s most lethal striker at the moment. Italy striker Mateo Retegui, signed in the summer from Genoa has settled into life in Bergamo superbly, scoring 12 goals to lead the race for the Capocannoniere. Gasperini even managed to rest the 25 year old for that vital clash with Milan, bringing him on late in the game when Atalanta were chasing the winner.

Both Lookman and Retegui have two goals in the Champions League and then there is Belgian wide man De Ketelaere who has two goals and four assists in Europe this season. This is a front line with the best traditions of Atalanta’s attacking reputation and it’s certainly one for Real Madrid to be wary of.              

And with the array of attacking talent available to Ancelotti, the Atalanta vs Real Madrid highlights are sure to be well worth a watch.     

 

Good and bad news for Madrid

In the run up to this crucial Champions League clash Los Blancos passed a tough test away to an in-form Girona, thanks to goals from Jude Bellingham, who is getting back to his best form, Turkish Wunderkid Arda Guler and summer signing Kylian Mbappe. That Bellingham scored again was a real boost to a Madrid side which has, at times, looked disjointed in attack; and when he looked to have picked up an injury in Catalonia, fans feared the worst. But Ancelotti has said the England midfielder is fine. Bellingham’s fitness is vital for this game after Los Blancos picked up back-to-back losses to AC Milan and Liverpool; and there is more good news for Ancelotti as the Brazilian pair of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are both available for selection. Vinicius has been out of action for last four games but he will be in the squad for the trip to Atalanta.

On the downside, French fullback Ferland Mendy picked up a thigh injury and he will not be ready for Tuesday’s clash. He came off in the second half against Girona and tests at the club revealed muscle damage will which will take time to repair.      

Now joint fourth favourites for the title at SBOTOP odds of 7.50, Los Blancos are still well in the hunt to defend their title, but the Atalanta vs Real Madrid betting odds say this game will be a serious test; and another defeat for Ancelotti’s men could spell serious trouble.   

 

History

Los Blancos have won all three of their previous encounters with Atalanta, most recently winning the UEFA Super Cup 2-0 in August with Kylian Mbappe on the score sheet.   

But, in terms of recent form the hosts have plenty to be optimistic about. La Dea has won the last nine  games and is unbeaten in 14 while Real Madrid have won four and lost two of the last six.

 

Betting Tip

Atalanta are priced at 2.48 with Real Madrid at 2.53 and the draw is 3.30, so this is certainly a game which could go any way; but I think Atalanta, in such hot form, will be devilishly hard to contain.  

   

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