Real Madrid traditionally performs well in the Champions League when the pressure is on, and their match against Atalanta on Tuesday is building up to be a pivotal match for the embattled holders.
Real Madrid, the record 15-time winners have lost three of their first five matches and are ranked 24th in the standings, with places 25 to 36 eliminated at the end of the group round.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side travels to Bergamo this week before facing RB Salzburg and then visiting French club Brest, with their competition status at stake.
Atalanta currently leads Serie A and is unbeaten in the Champions League, sitting sixth.
Real Madrid, however, has been plagued by a slew of issues, including adaptation difficulties for superstar summer signing Kylian Mbappe and many key players sidelined due to injury.
Italian coach Ancelotti has attempted to relieve pressure on Mbappe, a 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain striker who has 11 goals in 21 outings 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 major worry, his performances have left much to be desired given his standing as one of the world’s best players.
Recent penalty misses against Liverpool in the Champions League and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, both of which resulted in defeats, heightened the spotlight on Mbappe, who has also had off-field issues.
The striker did not make two recent France squads, is battling PSG over an unpaid wage claim, and is now being investigated in Sweden for rape.
“I received nothing, no summons. I read the same thing as everyone else. The Swedish government hasn’t said anything—I’m not involved,” Mbappe told Canal+ on Sunday.
Real Madrid has lost important defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao to long-term knee injuries.
Even midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, whom Ancelotti has previously relied on as an emergency defender, has been injured and has only recently returned.
Real Madrid will also be missing Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba for the game against Atalanta. In the good news column, Brazilian wing magicians Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are set to return fit and available.
However, Vinicius’ impending return reignites a debate that was in full swing before he suffered a hamstring injury a fortnight ago.
After utilising Mbappe as a centre forward for much of the season, Ancelotti ultimately switched him across for one game before Vinicius was injured.
The coach cited the French forward’s hiatus from international duty as the rationale for moving him to the flank, whilst Vinicius had returned from South America.
Ancelotti said that Mbappé’s troubles were due to a lack of consistency that affected the entire team.
Although Ancelotti accepted criticism for Real Madrid’s form, which has already resulted in five losses across all competitions after falling only twice all season, he stated that his club would fight.
“It’s not a funeral—we’re still fighting in all competitions,” said Ancelotti last week, following Madrid’s stumble at Athletic, the fifth of those defeats.
“We have to be optimistic, keeping in mind the problems we’re having and have had.
“But we have to be optimistic because we have a quality squad. We have not been able to find our best form, but I am convinced we will sooner or later.”
With a 3-0 win against Girona in La Liga on Saturday, a strong performance at Atalanta would begin to alleviate fears in the Spanish capital.
