Real Madrid: 4 questions to answer before the Champions League knockout round

Next week on Wednesday, Feb. 24, Real Madrid will travel to Bergamo to take on Atalanta in the Champions League Round of 16. Los Blancos have been disappointments in the past two Champions League campaigns without Cristiano Ronaldo, and they were bouned out of the Round of 16 last season by Manchester City.

Atalanta are no pushovers, so Real must be at their best next week when Europe’s marquee competition returns. Real are still in the La Liga title race, but only just. Atletico Madrid have a clear advantage, and it is getting to the point where Madridistas are wondering if the Champions League is their only shot at salvaging something from this season. It could, likewise, be a shot at redemption this season for Zinedine Zidane, whose job has come under fire twice.

Real Madrid are out of the Copa del Rey and did not win a game in the Spanish Supercup, so this knockout fixture against Atalanta will be crucial to the confidence of Los Merengues. It has been a grueling, injury-filled season, but Real should have what it takes to get through a Serie A side at serious risk of not qualifying for the competition in 2021-2022.

Here are four questions Los Blancos need to answer before the first leg, with Real Valladolid looming this weekend in La Liga.