• News

Real Madrid vs Atalanta: Los Blancos looking to avoid another last-16 exit

Real Madrid vs Atalanta: Champions League
Getty Images
Advertisement

Los Blancos might be the record winners of the competition but their superiority is now a thing of the past, having struggled in recent years.

Champions League returns on our screens on Tuesday with a repeat of two thrilling Round of 16 fixtures.

Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool have already proceeded into the quarter-finals and they will tonight be joined by either Real Madrid or Atalanta and Manchester City or Borussia Monchengladbach.

Here, we take a closer look at the former fixture, which is set to be played at the Alfredo Di Stefano.

Real Madrid go into the second leg carrying a slight advantage, having secured a 1-0 win in the first leg. It was a delightful right-footed strike from left-back Ferland Mendy that gave them the crucial away win at the Stadio di Bergamo.

Real Madrid vs Atalanta Form

Failing to win the two subsequent matches, Zinedine Zidane’s men have looked rather unconvincing since returning from Italy.

Another worrying fact is that they have won less than half of their previous 11 games in the Champions League. 

On the bright side, however, the La Liga champions are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions and come off the back of a 2-1 victory over Elche.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Spanish side have come out on top 11 times in their 12 meetings with an Italian opposition.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, meanwhile, have emerged victorious in each of their last five away outings in the Champions League.

They are also in better shape ahead of the decisive match, having beaten three of their last four opponents and by at least a two-goal margin.

The Serie A side are currently one of the most entertaining and attack-minded teams in all of Europe and will be determined to put their strengths to good use to cause an upset for the record winners of the competition.

Real Madrid vs Atalanta Head-to-head

Real Madrid vs Atalanta Team News

Eden Hazard continues to struggle to put his fitness issues in the past and will yet again be absent. Full-backs Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, and Alvaro Odriozola and striker Mariano Diaz are also out injured while Casemiro is suspended.

Hans Hateboer and Bosko Sutalo remain on the sidelines for the hosts while Remo Freuler is suspended.

Predicted XIs:

Real Madrid vs Atalanta Latest Odds

x