A true blockbuster of a Champions League contest will take place at Stadio di Bergamo on Tuesday evening, as the reigning champions Real Madrid head to an Atalanta BC outfit that are currently top of the Serie A table.
Real Madrid have struggled in Europe this season, picking up just six points from five matches to sit down in 24th spot in the Champions League table, while Atalanta are up in fifth, boasting 11 points from their first five games.
Match preview
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Atalanta are undoubtedly one of the finest teams in European football at this moment in time, and La Dea will enter this contest off the back of nine straight wins in all competitions, including a 2-1 success over AC Milan in Serie A on Friday, and they are currently at the summit of Italy's top flight, boasting 34 points from their opening 15 matches.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side have also been impressive in the Champions League this season, picking up 11 points from their five matches courtesy of a record of three wins and two defeats, which has left them fifth in the table.
Atalanta are the reigning Europa League champions, but they look capable of making a serious impression in the Champions League this season, and a lot will be learned in the league phase, with a glamour clash against Barcelona also to come on January 29.
The Italian outfit's best European performances this season have actually come on their travels, drawing their two at home, both 0-0, with Arsenal and Celtic, but they have scored 11 times in their three away wins over Shakhtar Donetsk, Stuttgart and Young Boys.
The Black and Blues have only won two of their previous seven games against Spanish opposition, and this will be the second time that they have tackled Real Madrid this season, having suffered a 2-0 defeat in the UEFA Super Cup back in August.
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Real Madrid will enter this match off the back of a much-needed 3-0 victory over Girona in Spain's top flight, with the result leaving them second in the La Liga table, two points behind leaders Barcelona with a game in hand.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have struggled in the Champions League this season, though, only winning two of their five matches, suffering three defeats in the process, including their last two against AC Milan and Liverpool.
Los Blancos are only just clinging onto a playoff spot in the European Cup, and they have three more matches to come in the league phase of the competition, tackling Red Bull Salzburg and Brest in their two after this one.
Real Madrid have won 12, drawn eight and lost 18 of their previous 38 away matches against Italian clubs in Europe, but they have been victorious in 17 of their last 19 games across Italian opposition across the board.
Los Blancos are actually on an eight-game winning run away to Italian teams, and they are the kings of this competition, winning a 15th European Cup against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley earlier this year.
Real Madrid have qualified for the knockout round of the Champions League in each of their last 28 campaigns, so it would be one of the biggest shocks in history if they were unable to navigate their spot into the next stage of the competition.
Team News
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Atalanta will be without the services of Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta and Juan Cuadrado on Tuesday, but the Italian outfit have not reported any fresh injury concerns from their league clash with Milan on Friday night.
Mateo Retegui has been in excellent form this season, scoring 14 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions, and the 25-year-old will be back in the XI here after starting on the bench against Milan.
Ademola Lookman - 10 goals and five assists - and Charles De Ketelaere - five goals and nine assists - are also enjoying excellent campaigns, and the pair will also feature in the final third of the field at Stadio di Bergamo.
As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti's side have received a triple boost heading into the contest, with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham all named in the squad.
Vinicius has missed his side's last four matches in all competitions with a muscular problem, but the Brazilian is back sooner than expected; he has been included in the squad for this match and is expected to start.
Bellingham is also available after a fitness scare against Girona, while Rodrygo returns, having missed Saturday's league game with a muscular problem.
Ferland Mendy suffered a muscular injury against Girona and misses out, meaning that Fran Garcia will operate at left-back, while Eder Militao, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga remain unavailable for selection.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Retegui, Lookman
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, F Garcia; Valverde, Bellingham, Modric; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
We say: Atalanta BC 1-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid really need a positive result on Tuesday, with a defeat unthinkable for the reigning champions considering their position in the table. Atalanta are a high-quality outfit, though, and we are finding it so difficult to back them to lose here; a draw is what has ultimately been settled on, and we are expecting it to be a brilliant game of football.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
