- Date and Time: Sunday, December 10, 2024, 21:00 GMT+1
- Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy
| Odds via 22bet | |
| Atalanta vs Real Madrid | December 10, 2024, 21:00 GMT+1 |
| Atalanta odds | 2.74 |
| Real Madrid odds | 2.365 |
| Draw | 3.76 |
| Over\Under | Total 2,5: 1.58/2.384 |
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Preview
Atalanta
Atalanta often turns heads in Europe, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini excelling at revitalising overlooked or underappreciated players.
Atalanta is one of only three undefeated teams in the Champions League this season, alongside Inter and Liverpool. La Dea held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in Bergamo, evidence of Gasperini’s success despite the unorthodoxy of his team.
Atalanta is known for going all-in when attacking, and it’s been a headache for most teams. They drew with Celtic (0-0) but won against Stuttgart, BSC Young Boys and FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) December 8, 2024
La Dea now leads Serie A, overtaking Conte’s Napoli after a pivotal 2-1 win over AC Milan. Atalanta has been unbeaten in all competitions since a 3-2 defeat to Como on September 24th. Before that, their only other losses this season came against Inter and Torino. Both were at the beginning of the season.
For the record, La Dea won every single of their last nine games. Their campaign features unbelievable scores, such as the 5-1 victory against Genoa or the 6-1 win against Verona. In only 15 games, Atalanta scored 38 goals.
| Recent Form | WWWWW |
| Key Player to Watch | Matteo Retegui |
| Team Strengths | Diversified sources of goals, clear style of play, excellent in adding men in the penalty box, scoring efficiency |
| Team Weaknesses | Lack of rest defence, over-emphasis on transitions |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Juan Cuadrado, Gianluca Scamacca, and Davide Zappacosta |
Real Madrid
While Real Madrid’s crisis hasn’t taken an immense toll in La Liga, the situation is different in the Champions League. Los Blancos are known to be the competition masters, but this season has been different.
They started with a victory against Stuttgart (3-1) but lost to Lille (1-0). They won against Dortmund (5-2) but were demolished by Milan at the Bernabéu (1-3). At Anfield, they were invisible and lost to Arne Slot’s Liverpool (2-0).
The game against Atalanta is a must-win, considering Madrid are 24th —the last spot to qualify for the KO round. In five matches, Los Blancos scored nine goals and conceded nine, with five coming in a single game against Dortmund. This inconsistency highlights their struggles to break down opponents and maintain defensive stability.
👍😁🛫@Zegna | #RealMadridxZegna pic.twitter.com/4DXymSjTyy
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 9, 2024
It’s undoubtedly one of Real Madrid’s worst seasons in Europe and La Liga. Los Blancos struggled to overcome Girona’s press last weekend in the first half but came out victorious in the second half (0-3). However, the passive attitude worries fans, as it hasn’t been the first time.
Mbappé faced criticism for his perceived lack of impact in recent matches, prompting the Frenchman to respond that he is ‘not a robot, but only human.’ The scrutiny comes amid his slow adaptation to Madrid’s system.
| Recent Form | WLWLW |
| Key Player to Watch | Kylian Mbappé |
| Team Strengths | Strong individual players |
| Team Weaknesses | Injuries, lack of midfield replacement for Kroos, lack of pressing and doubts on their identity |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Éder Militão, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Daniel Carvaja, Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo. |
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head Statistics
As Atalanta’s rise to the European elite is recent, the two teams haven’t met often. The first encounter dates back to 2021, with Real Madrid winning the first game in Bergamo, as Ferland Mendy delivered the winner in the 86th minute.
The second leg, at the Bernabéu, also ended with a Los Blancos victory (3-1). The two teams last met in August during the UEFA Super Cup Final. Once again, Real Madrid won the match (2-0) as Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde scored for Los Blancos.
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Player Focus
As Scamacca is injured and out for a while, fans wonder whether Matteo Retegui will step up. Retegui’s instinctive positioning and clinical finishing make him a standout in the penalty area, but questions have been raised about his ability to fulfil defensive responsibilities in Gasperini’s high-press system.
Gasperini believes in total football, where attackers become defenders and will press throughout the 90 minutes. However, Retegui did exactly that—without sacrificing his output in front of the goal.
🔋⚽️🔛⛓️
🔜 #UCL pic.twitter.com/RjjkVitftR— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 8, 2024
In Serie A, Retegui has scored 12 goals and assisted 3 in 15 games. The Italian forward scored two goals in five matches in the Champions League. If there’s one player Real Madrid will have to track in the box, it would be him. It wouldn’t be surprising if Antonio Rüdiger is tasked with man-marking Retegui.
For Los Blancos, Jude Bellingham would be the obvious choice. He’s taken on multiple roles, and he has effortlessly adapted to deeper positions in the midfield. However, he left the pitch injured against Girona, which leaves his availability in doubt.
While he’s been the most criticised player of the squad, Kylian Mbappé would be my choice. He showed signs of improvement against Girona, as he was less restricted to one specific zone. Instead, he took on more central positions, which allowed him to play a closer role to what he occupied in Paris. Real Madrid need him more than ever, with Rodrygo and Vinicius unavailable against Atalanta.
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Analysis
Real Madrid’s issue remain the lack of cohesion when pressing. The problem is multiplied when facing a team like Atalanta, famous for being everywhere on the pitch at once.
There’s no denying that Mbappé’s runs will decide the match, but it’s also true that he will greatly help La Dea’s counter-attack once dispossessed. It’s no fluke that Atalanta average about two goals per match in Serie A. Los Blancos cannot pinpoint one threat in the penalty box, as La Dea is known for having different goalscorers instead of only one.
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Prediction
- Football pick: Real Madrid to win
- Odds: 2.365 (22Bet)
- Score prediction: Atalanta 0-2 Real Madrid
Atalanta don’t need to win: They’re in the top six. The same cannot be said for Real Madrid, whose qualification could be jeopardised if they fail to win in Bergamo. Atalanta’s inability to beat Real in their past meetings tilts the scales toward Los Blancos.
However, with Madrid struggling to find form in Europe this season, Atalanta could have a good opportunity to secure a landmark win. Their Champions League speaks for themselves, while Mbappé is still improving. This is his opportunity to prove his doubters wrong.
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Betting Tip
- Football Pick: Kylian Mbappé to score
- Odds: 2.25 (22Bet)
The match against Girona demonstrated that Mbappé’s slow adaptation is an ongoing process. Despite the criticism, he’s scored 9 goals over 15 appearances in La Liga, proof that it’s not a skill issue but a mental one.
He’s been allowed to roam between the left wing and the centre, which helps him gain confidence. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him score, considering he’s the perfect anti-Atalanta plan due to his pace and their love for risk-taking.
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