Atalanta vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Atalanta have been magnificent and are in extremely good position in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League as they welcome the wobbling 15-time European champions Real Madrid.

Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 10th December, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+

Atalanta Preview: Brilliant Bergamasci

Gian Piero Gasperini has once again evolved his Atalanta side as he approaches a decade in charge of the Italians and the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League winners are very much involved in the Serie A title race as they also perform very well in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

The Bergamasci, after a slow-ish start to the campaign, have since been relentless and they now come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat of AC Milan at the weekend. That means they have now won 12 and drawn one of their last 13 matches across all competitions.

Real Madrid Preview: Lost looking Los Blancos

Following some key departures as well as the big name arrival of Kylian Mbappe over the summer, Real Madrid have struggled to adapt this season with Carlo Ancelotti under pressure despite Los Blancos maintaining a steady title race behind league leaders Barcelona in Spain.

The Spanish and European champions did earn a 3-0 win over Girona in Catalonia at the weekend but they are under pressure for a top 24 finish in this competition after starting with two victories and three defeats following a 2-0 loss to Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.

Atalanta Team News: Impressive depth

With their wage bill increasing in recent seasons, Atalanta have now put together a very impressive and deep squad. The primary focus for this one will be on the likes of Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere to hurt a vulnerable Madrid side.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Koussounou, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui

Unavailable: Zappacosta (Injured), Cuadrado (Injured), Scamacca (Injured)

Questionable:

Real Madrid Team News: Return of Vinicius

Key man Vinicius Junior has been injured for the last couple of weeks but has raced back to full fitness and has been named in the Real Madrid squad for this week. France international Eduardo Camavinga remains sidelined for the visitors, though.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

Unavailable: Jacobo (Injured), Militao (Injured), Alaba (Injured), Carvajal (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Camavinga (Injured)

Questionable: Rodrygo (Injured), Vinicius Jr (Injured)

Key Stats

Atalanta are without a win in their last five UEFA club competition matches against Spanish teams (D1 L4).
Atalanta are unbeaten in their last 11 UEFA club competition group/league phase matches (W7 D4).
Atalanta have lost only two of their last 19 UEFA club competition matches (W11 D6).
Atalanta’s previous two matches at home in the league phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League finished 0-0.
Atalanta have not conceded a goal in their last three UEFA club competition matches at home.
Real Madrid have won all the previous three UEFA club competition matches between these two teams. Most recently, a 2-0 victory in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup.
Real Madrid have won their last eight UEFA Champions League matches away from home against Italian teams, since a 2-1 defeat against Juventus in the semi-finals in May 2015.
Real Madrid have lost their last two UEFA Champions League matches. They have only lost three successive European Cup/UEFA Champions League matches on two occasions (22/04/1981 – 17/09/1986 and 26/02/2020 - 21/10/2020).
Kylian Mbappé needs one goal to become the ninth player to reach the total of 50 goals scored in the UEFA Champions League competition proper. At the age of 25 years and 356 days, he would become the second youngest to reach the landmark, after Lionel Messi who was 24 years and 284 days when he achieved the feat.

Atalanta vs Real Madrid Prediction

Atalanta have an abundance of attacking talent but there is real quality all over the park with former Salernitana midfielder Ederson now grabbing a lot of attention. Real Madrid can pull off victories in circumstances when it is unlikely and whenever there is a general feeling they may actually lose, that is when they tend to click. However, even with Madrid beating Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup in August, there is a general feeling it would be a bit of a surprise if the visitors won in Bergamo in this one.

Atalanta vs Real Madrid Tip: Double chance – Atalanta to win or draw