Real Madrid: 3 advantages over Atalanta in the Champions League Round of 16

The Raphael Varane, Ferland Mendy factor

Real Madrid have two experienced veterans filling in for Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal in Nacho Fernandez and Lucas Vazquez. Both men have held up well in recent matches, but before making any bold proclamations, we have to admit that they will be tested in a much different way on Wednesday night in Bergamo against a step-up in competition from the likes of Duvan Zapata, Robin Gosens, and 14-goal man Luis Muriel.

But there are two defenders in Real’s back four whom Madridistas can have supreme confidence in: Ferland Mendy at left back and Raphael Varane at right center back.

If there’s a single player you’d back to hold his own against Zapata or Muriel, then it is Varane. His intelligence, aerial ability, and speed are all extremely difficult to match. Varane sees things develop quickly and is always there to sniff out the danger. He is Real’s unsung hero in so many matches, and it is time he claim the spotlight in the Champions League.

Mendy will go up against the silky skills of Josip Ilicic, who is Atalanta’s creative muse. The Slovenian international is Atalanta’s leader in key passes and dribbles completed per game. But Mendy is a brick wall in defense who is not outsmarted, out-ran, or out-hustled by the competition. He is the most secure defensive fullback in all the land, and that is an advantage out wide that Atalanta cannot even comprehend.

The midfielders are the big stars for Real Madrid, but Mendy and Varane could reach new heights if they can play to their talents and help shut down Atalanta’s vaunted front line.