Real Madrid and Atalanta meet for the second time this season as the pair face off in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Kylian Mbappe scored his maiden Real Madrid goal as the Champions League holders eventually cruised to a 2-0 victory over Europa League victors Atalanta in the Super Cup back in August.
Madrid have since embarked on an up-and-down campaign – one typified by their fortunes over the past week. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were beaten 2-1 by Athletic Club last Wednesday, but they regained control of the La Liga title race at the weekend by overcoming Girona 3-0 before Barcelona were held by Real Betis.
However, the holders have plenty of work to do in this competition. They currently sit in the final play-off spot having amassed just six points from five games. Only a victory against the current Serie A leaders will do if they want to automatically progress into the round of 16.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side quickly ditched themselves of Super Cup disappointment and have dazzled in 2024/25 thus far. The neutral’s favourite are involved in a thrilling Scudetto race domestically and are unbeaten in the league phase, currently sitting fifth in the table and with a great chance of securing a top-eight finish.
Giorgio Scalvini recently returned from an anterior cruciate ligament tear in less than six months and has made two cameo appearances for Atalanta. The defender is not expected to be full tilt until the new year, but there could be another opportunity for the Italy international off the bench on Tuesday.
Gianluca Scamacca remains sidelined having torn his ACL in pre-season and the hosts are also without Davide Zappacosta due to a calf injury and Juan Cuadrado, who’s suffering with a muscle issue.
Madrid will be tasked with taming an Atalanta attack that’s fired on all cylinders this term. Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui have all been in tremendous form.
Atalanta lineup vs Real Madrid (3-4-3): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Retegui, Lookman.
Ferland Mendy is the latest Madrid casualty, although the muscle injury he sustained at the weekend shouldn’t keep him out of action for too long. The visitors have Fran Garcia in reserve.
Vinicius Junior has been named in the travelling squad to Bergamo and should find himself back in Ancelotti’s XI right away having missed Madrid’s four previous outings. Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo will also travel despite recent injury scares.
Vinicius and Rodrygo could work in tandem out wide with Mbappe operating through the centre of Madrid’s frontline. Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz are poised to miss out.
The visitors still have David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga sidelined.
Real Madrid lineup vs Atalanta (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Bellingham, Modric; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
