Los Blancos will resume their Champions League campaign on Tuesday night when they host the Italians in Madrid. The first leg was a bit contreversial, especially with Remo Freuler’s 17th-minute red card. How will the 2nd leg be? This is Real Madrid Vs Atalanta – A Quarter-Final Spot.
Match Preview
Despite the first leg win, Real’s road is not yet safe as they await away-day masters Atalanta. This should be one of the two still undecided fixture in this year’s CL, as Real Madrid and neighbours AtlΓ©tico are in dangerous positions as their round of 16 ties conclude. Who’s gonna have what it takes to go through? One thing for sure, the Italians will not give up and feel as if this tie is still up for grabs. How will both teams approach this game? Let’s take a closer look.
Real Madrid
The Spanish giants welcome Atalanta looking to avoid being eliminated in the last 16 stages of the Champions League for the third year in a row, having lost to Ajax and Manchester City in this round in each of the last two campaigns. Madrid were missing a number of key players in the 1st leg, however, an 86th minute strike from Mendy was enough to secure an away win. They might not be considered as one of the favorites this year, but you can never write them off in this competition. Can they book a place in the Quarters on Tuesday?
Los Blancos will enter the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Elche on Saturday, which saw them move into second position in the table. La Liga could still be open for them, as they are just 6 points away from leaders Atletico. Benzema was the key man behind their comeback against Elche, having scored twice with the winner coming in the 92nd minute. Can he keep his form going in the Champions League as well?
Atalanta
A man down after 17 minutes when Remo Freuler was show a straight red card, Atalanta failed to win for a fourth time at home in this season’s UEFA Champions League. However, don’t rule them out just yet. The Italians have impressively won their last five Champions League away matches. Can they extend that run when they face Madrid for the first time?
As for the league, Atalanta head into this game with more time to rest and prepare while also securing an important 3-1 win against Spezia. They last played on Friday night, with the win bringing them up to 4th place in front of Roma. A second-half brace from Mario Pasalic and a goal from Luis Muriel sealed the deal for Atalanta. La Dea reached the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League in their first ever appearance, can they do it again this year?
Team News
Good news for Real Madrid as Ramos and Benzema are finally back from injuries. However, they will again be without the services of Dani Carvajal through injury, while Casemiro is suspended due to the booking that he picked up in the first leg. Valverde will most probably play alongside Modric and Kroos.
Meanwhile, Atalanta will definitely be without Freuler due to the red card he picked up in the first leg. In addition, Hans Hateboer will also be out due to a fractured foot. Freuler’s place should be taken by Palasic, who scored twice on Friday against Spezia by the way. Will he be able to have the same influence?
Prediction & Current Odds
Real Madrid Vs Atalanta – A Quarter-Final Spot. Bottom line is, the Italians will not back down, as they will take their impressive away record to Madrid and fight for a Quarter-Final spot. On the other hand, Madrid are not playing their best football under Zidane, however they are 2nd in La Liga and recovered some key players heading into this clash. Atalanta are more than capable of making life extremely uncomfortable for Madrid. In the end though, we expect Los Blancos to secure a place in the quarters.
- Over 2.5 goals: 1.72
- Both Teams To Score: 1.61
Stay up to date with bet365.
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