Real Madrid, the troubled Champions League holders, are set to face a crucial test when they travel to Atalanta on Tuesday. The record 15-time winners have lost three of their first five matches and find themselves 24th in the standings, with places 25 to 36 eliminated at the end of the group phase.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will travel to Bergamo before hosting RB Salzburg and then visiting French outfit Brest, with their future in the competition hanging in the balance. Atalanta, meanwhile, leads Serie A and remains unbeaten in the Champions League, sitting fifth.
Challenges Facing Real Madrid
Real Madrid has been beset by a string of problems, including adaptation difficulties for superstar summer signing Kylian Mbappe and several key players sidelined through injury. Italian coach Ancelotti has tried to ease the pressure on the 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe, who has scored 11 goals in 21 games since joining Los Blancos.
“He isn’t at his best level, but we have to give him time to adapt,” said Ancelotti last week. “He can do better, and he’s working to do that.”
While Mbappe’s goal rate is not a cause for concern, his performances have left plenty to be desired given his status as one of the world’s top players. Recent penalty misses against Liverpool in the Champions League and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, both matches finishing in defeats, exacerbated the focus on Mbappe.
Real Madrid has lost key defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao to long-term knee injury problems. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, whom Ancelotti has turned to as an emergency defender in the past, has also been out hurt, only returning recently.
Madrid will also be without Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba for the visit to face Atalanta. However, Brazilian wing wizards Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes are set to return fit and available.
Vinicius’ expected return re-opens a debate about where to play him and Mbappe. The Ballon d’Or runner-up likes to play on the left wing, which is also Mbappe’s favorite spot.
After using Mbappe as a center-forward for much of the season, Ancelotti finally swapped them over for one match before Vinicius was hurt. The coach cited Mbappe’s break from international duty as the reason to put him on the wing.
Ancelotti suggested Mbappe’s struggles were not just down to him but an issue of consistency affecting the whole team. Although he accepted criticism for Madrid’s form, having lost five games across all competitions already, Ancelotti said his team would fight.
“It’s not a funeral — we’re still fighting in all competitions,” said Ancelotti last week, following Madrid’s stumble at Athletic. “We have to be optimistic, keeping in mind the problems we’re having and have had.”
Conclusion
With a thumping 3-0 win over Girona on Saturday in La Liga under their belt, following that up with a show of force at Atalanta would start to ease concerns in the Spanish capital.
