Atalanta vs Real Madrid Review
Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League, gaining crucial points and extending their winning streak to four matches against La Dea. Although Los Blancos and Kylian Mbappé have faced challenges in Europe this season, the French star made an impact early on, receiving a pass from Brahim Díaz and scoring in the bottom corner just 10 minutes into the match, marking his 50th UCL goal. He soon had another opportunity but his powerful shot was saved by Marco Carnesecchi. At the other end, Ademola Lookman posed a threat, with a shot blocked by Aurélien Tchouaméni and a low cross intended for Charles De Ketelaere requiring a crucial intervention from Antonio Rüdiger.
Éderson became the most recent player to have a shot blocked by Tchouaméni, while Lookman missed the target as La Dea intensified their efforts to find an equalizer. However, Real Madrid soon faced disappointment when Mbappé had to leave the game due to injury in the 36th minute, and Rüdiger missed a great chance to extend his team’s lead by heading wide. Frustration grew when Tchouaméni fouled Sead Kolašinac, resulting in a penalty that De Ketelaere confidently converted just before halftime.
Energized by this moment, Atalanta came out strong in the second half, with De Ketelaere heading over the bar after rising above Rüdiger, and Lookman forcing Courtois into a save with a long-range shot. However, in the 57th minute, a deflected ball off Éderson fell perfectly for Vinícius Júnior, who finished clinically. Just three minutes later, Jude Bellingham skillfully maneuvered past Marten de Roon and scored to give his team a two-goal cushion.
Lookman quickly reminded everyone that Atalanta was still in the game by firing a shot through Lucas Vázquez’s legs and past Courtois. Díaz and Rodrygo each squandered an opportunity to extend their lead, but Courtois stopped attempts from substitutes Lazar Samardžić and Mateo Retegui, with Retegui ultimately failing to score from a prime chance.
Real Madrid secured an important victory following their recent consecutive defeats in the UCL, temporarily placing them 18th in the standings. They also handed Atalanta their first European defeat of the season, although La Dea remains in ninth place.
