Atalanta take on the visitors Real Madrid in the round 6 match of UEFA Champions League group stage. The match will be played on Tuesday, December 10th at Gewiss Stadium (Bergamo).
Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta has firmly established itself among Serie A's elite. After a few difficult seasons, Gasperini's persistence paid off last year when the team secured a 4th-place finish in Serie A and clinched the Europa League title, marking a triumphant return to the Champions League. Despite a slow start to this season, largely due to a restructured squad, Atalanta has found their rhythm. While they played to a goalless draw at home against Celtic and suffered a loss to Arsenal, their away performances in the Champions League have been remarkable: dominant wins over Shakhtar Donetsk (3-0), Stuttgart (2-0), and an impressive 6-2 thrashing of Young Boys. The Bergamo side looks solid, especially in attack, and has the confidence to challenge top-tier teams. Atalanta’s strong form in Europe, coupled with Real Madrid’s recent struggles, tips the balance in favor of the Italians.
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Real Madrid remains a paradox this season. The reigning Spanish champions and Champions League holders had a promising start, defeating Atalanta 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup thanks to a decisive goal from new star signing Kylian Mbappé. However, cracks in the squad have emerged, exacerbated by the departures of key players like Nacho and Toni Kroos, with no adequate replacements brought in. In La Liga, their campaign has been erratic, highlighted by a humiliating 0-4 loss to Barcelona in El Clásico. However, Barça's own struggles have allowed Los Blancos to stay competitive in the league. In the Champions League, Real Madrid has been unpredictable: they secured gritty wins against Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund but suffered setbacks against Lille and AC Milan. Their last match, a 0-2 loss to Liverpool, included a missed penalty by Mbappé, raising questions about their reliability in big moments. Real Madrid’s inability to field a consistent backline has often cost them dearly in high-pressure situations.
Before their Super Cup clash this summer, Real Madrid dominated Atalanta in the 2021 Champions League knockout stages, winning both legs convincingly. Expect Atalanta to play on the front foot, leveraging Gasperini's high-pressing style. Real Madrid will likely aim to exploit counterattacking opportunities through their speedy wingers. This game presents a golden opportunity for Atalanta to assert themselves and secure a memorable win against a vulnerable Real Madrid side.
Prediction for the match: Atalanta to win with 0.0 handicap.
