A chastening defeat at Anfield leaves Real Madrid in a precarious position in the Champions League table ahead of another tough European away day.
Atalanta have enjoyed a supreme start to the 2024/25 campaign. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are unbeaten through five continental duels and sit atop the Serie A table after downing Milan on Friday night.
Madrid overcame La Dea in the UEFA Super Cup back in August, but Atalanta have moved through the gears since and are aiming for another statement victory in midweek.
Carlo Ancelotti has been boosted by the returns of several big names in time for Tuesday’s clash and here’s the starting XI he could pick in Bergamo.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – After picking up a rare clean sheet at Girona on Saturday, Courtois will be aiming to shut down one of Europe’s most potent attacking trios on Tuesday night.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – With Dani Carvajal out for the long haul, Ancelotti needs veteran Vazquez to step up on these occasions. The converted winger will see plenty of Ademola Lookman in Bergamo.
CB: Aurelien Tchouameni – The France international returned from injury last week and started at centre-back on Saturday. Ancelotti likes him there and he could keep his place in the backline on Tuesday.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Rudiger’s positioning was one of the interesting sub-plots of the Super Cup in August, although his partner will likely be tasked with marauding forward in a bid to disrupt Atalanta’s man orientation without the ball given his comfort in more advanced areas.
LB: Fran Garcia – Ferland Mendy’s muscle injury will sideline him for a little while and hand Garcia another run in the team.
CM: Luka Modric – The Croatian superstar got through 90 minutes on Saturday and is unlikely to do the same here, but his ability to put his foot on the ball and slow things down will be crucial against an intense Atalanta outfit.
CM: Federico Valverde – The Uruguayan has endured an up-and-down campaign thus far, but Ancelotti is unlikely to lose his faith in Valverde anytime soon. The midfielder’s doggedness will be needed at the Gewiss.
CM: Jude Bellingham – Bellingham enters this contest in red-hot scoring form after a slow start to the season and the pivot behind him should offer the England international plenty of chances to break in behind.
RW: Rodrygo – Rodrygo has endured an injury-hit campaign so far and he missed Saturday’s win over…
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