Defending UEFA Champions League champions Real Madrid will travel to the Estadio Gavis on Tuesday evening, December 10, for a crucial sixth-round clash with Atalanta. After losing three of their previous five games, Real Madrid need maximum points from the trip to Lomadi to boost their chances of advancing to the last 16.
Serie A leader Atalanta were undefeated in their previous 14 games in all competitions, making life difficult for the All Whites. They pushed and explored throughout the game and even had a higher expected goals than Real Madrid (2.94 vs 1.57). But in the end, they fell short, losing 3-2 to the 15-time European champions.
Kylian Mbappe gets off to the perfect start for Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti made sure his players knew what to aim for on Tuesday. They knew they needed to win and the first 15 minutes showed just how badly they wanted it. Real Madrid took the lead in the 10th minute after several attacks in Atalanta’s third zone, with Kylian Mbappe adding the finishing touch.
The Frenchman did well to open up his body to receive the ball from Brahim Diaz, break into the penalty area and score with a thumping strike. Four minutes later, Mbappe produced another brilliant counterattack, but Marco Carnesechi refused to be beaten.
Mbappe looked in great shape against Atalanta, but an unfortunate muscle strain ruled him out. After Mbappe came off the field in the 36th minute, Real Madrid lost a lot of momentum, which allowed Atalanta to get back into the game. In first-half stoppage time, Mario Pasalic cleverly won a penalty after drawing a foul on Aureliano Chuameni. Charles de Cotrare made it 1-1 with a clean penalty against Thibaut Courtois at the Gervais Stadium.
Goals from Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham secure victory over Atalanta
Vinicius Jr. did not perform at his best against Atalanta due to a fresh thigh injury. However, he still made a decisive contribution when the opportunity arose in the second half. In the 56th minute, Diaz tried to slip Vinicius the Younger Pass the target. Atalanta blocked his pass, but a lucky deflection ensured the ball fell to Vinicius Junior, who was ahead of all defenders in the box. The Brazilian easily received the ball and shot easily, making the score 2-1.
Jude Bellingham doubled Real Madrid’s lead with a brilliant left-footed goal three minutes after Vinicius Junior’s shot. Despite conceding two goals in a row, Atalanta did not admit defeat. They sent for a lifeline and the move paid off in the 65th minute. Ademola Lookman’s thunderous shot from a tight angle hit Courtois’ near post.
In the 4th minute of stoppage time, Atalanta thought they had equalized the score when Lookman made a perfect cross for Retegui to attack. The Italian managed to collect the ball but fired wide from close range, leaving Real Madrid relieved.
The win lifted Real Madrid’s Champions League ranking from 24th to 18th. Atlanta, meanwhile, slipped to ninth place.
