UEFA Champions League: Can Atalanta’s current form help them fend off Real Madrid?

UEFA Champions League: Can Atalanta’s current form help them fend off Real Madrid?

New Delhi: Atalanta are on a run where they look unstoppable both in the Serie A as well as Champions League this season. The Serie A table toppers are having a great time after a bumpy start to their campaign, as they kicked it off with a 4-0 win against Lecce, before losing two on the bounce, first against Torino and then getting battered by the hands of defending champions Inter.

The Europa League winners were struck hard after these two defeats and the fans faced further disappointment after their loss in September against newly promoted side, Como.

However, that loss sparked a different side of Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta side, as since then, they have remained unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions. Their most recent outing against AC Milan suggested that they are truly ready for the challenge that will be imposed in their next fixture against the 15-time Champions League winners, Real Madrid, who did lose their Champions League fixture against Milan.

This will be the second time that Atalanta will face the Spanish Giants, as the last time these two met was before the season began, back in August. The Super Cup clash ended in favour of Real Madrid, where they beat their Italian opponents 2-0.

Atalanta’s European run and current form

Atalanta’s form should be talked about more 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/qKE6MiLbAI

— The Football Crew (@theftblcrew) December 8, 2024

The Italians are enjoying their European success to the fullest, as currently they sit 5th in the Champions League table, yet to lose a single match. With 11 points on the board, Atalanta came up victorious on three occassions out of the five matchdays, while they drew the other two.

Gasperini’s side’s most recent European outing saw them demolishing the Swiss side, Young Boys 6-1, where their forward sensation Matteo Retegui scored his first and second ever Champions League goals. He wasn’t the only one who had a great night on the pitch, as the Belgian midfielder, Charles De Ketelaere also scored his brace to blow the Swiss champions away.

Previous European wins against Shakhtar Donetsk and Stuttgart also put them in a strong position, as they shared the spoils against Celtic and Arsenal. Gasperini will be demanding the same audacity and determination, as the Italians have a great chance to go all the way and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

After Napoli’s loss against Lazio last night, Atlanta sit top of the Serie A table after a convincing win against AC Milan. This can turn out to be a massive confidence booster for La Dea before their tricky fixture against the Spanish champions. They will be looking to carry the momentum into their next fixture and produce the performance that is required of them.

What to expect from Atalanta against Real Madrid

Matchday 6 is here! 🙌#UCL pic.twitter.com/H6w2ztU5F9

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 9, 2024

Atalanta’s record so far has been unbelievable, considering their past performances in European competitions. This has without a doubt been the best start they have had to a Champions League camapaign and they will surely be looking to maintain their form against a very tough competition. Talking about competition, Atalanta playing against the 15-time winners of the competition would be their biggest test of this season, considering the fact that they have already lost once against Carlo Ancelotti’s side this year.

The Italians are in a much better position than where they were at that time, as Gasperini has finally managed to get the best out of the squad and some of their talents would be willing to make an impact in the game against Real Madrid. Matteo Retegui has been in red hot form this season, topping the Serie A scoring charts and fresh off from scoring a brace against Young Boys. The 25-year-old has been sensational with 17 goal contributions to his name in all competitions.

Other than the Italian, the hero from Europa League final’s triumph, Ademola Lookman has also started to fire in all cylinders with 15 goal contributions in all competitions. The Belgian international, Charles De Ketelaere has also been tremendous for La Dea, as he has re discovered his form under Gasperini with 14 goal contributions to his name this season. The squad has the talent to go all the way against the big guns, and this can be a huge factor for Atalanta against Real Madrid.

 It has been a fantastic run of form for Gian Piero Gasperini and Atalanta, so can they carry this momentum to cause an upset against Real Madrid?  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today