Atalanta vs Real Madrid: Team news, squads, head-to-head stats

Real Madrid take on Serie A side Atalanta in Bergamo in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg tie a few hours from now. Gian Piero Gasperini’s free-flowing Atalanta will be looking to do some damage to Zinedine Zidane’s injury-hit Real Madrid. The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 PM CET. While the tension to the much-awaited tie builds up, let’s take a look at the team news, their recent form, and head-to-head statistics.

Team News, Atalanta BC

Heading into the game, Atalanta have just one injury concern with Hans Hateboer set to miss out due to a foot injury. Other than that, Gasperini has the full squad at his disposal and will probably opt for his usual 3-4-1-2 system of play.

Probable Lineup: Gollini; Toloi, Romero, Djimsiti; Maehle, de Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Ilicic; Zapata, Muriel

Rafael Toloi, Cristian Romero, and Berat Djmsiti are ought to form the three-man backline with Joakim Maehle and Robin Gosens stretching the pitch, operating as the wing-backs. Marten de Roon and Remo Freuler will be tasked with holding the fort in the centre of the pitch while Josip Ilicic and Duvan Zapata are expected to start up front for La Dea.

Domestic Record: 12 wins-7 draws-4 losses,

43 points (1.87 per game), currently 5th in Serie A

Last Match: Win 4–2 vs Napoli

Goals Scored: 53 (2.30 per game), Goals Against: 31 (1.35 per game),

xG (expected goals): 43.4, xGA (expected goals against): 27.3

Recent Form : D D W W W

Champions League form: D L W D W

Team News, Real Madrid CF

Lady luck seems to have cruelly hit Zidane’s men as Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Eden Hazard, Alvaro Odriozola, Rodrygo Goes, Federico Valverde, Marcelo and Eder Militao all miss out due to injuries.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Diaz, Vinicius

With only 12 recognized senior players in the squad for the game, I think it’s fair to say that Zinedine Zidane’s lineup picks itself. Raphael Varane, Nacho Fernandez, Ferland Mendy, and Lucas Vazquez form the 4 man backline while Zidane’s prestigious Toni Kroos-Luka Modric-Casemiro trio starts in midfield. Vinicius Junior, Mariano Diaz, and Marco Asensio complete the three-man attack line. While Zidane could shake things up and start Isco in a 4 man midfield diamond, the 4-3-3 from the Real Valladolid is expected to be deployed.

Domestic Record: 16 Wins-4 Draws-4 Losses,

52 points (2.17 per game), currently 2nd in La Liga

Last Match: Win 1–0 at Valladolid

Goals Scored: 42 (1.75 per game), Goals Against: 19 (0.79 per game)

xG (expected goals): 37.6, xGA (expected goals against): 24.3

Recent Form: L W W W W

Champions League form: D W W L W

(All statistics from Fbref.com)

Key Stats

— Both teams have won 50% (3/6) of their games in the Champions League this season.

— Real Madrid have scored 1.83 goals per game and have conceded 1.50 goals per game whereas Atalanta have scored 1.67 goals per game and conceded 1.33 per game in the Champions League this season
— Real Madrid have won each of their last five Champions League away games against Italian opposition.

— Atalanta have scored 3+ goals in four of their last five home matches domestically.

— Atalanta have lost only once in their last 20 games in all competitions.

— Real Madrid currently are on a 4 game winning streak.

— Real Madrid have kept three clean sheets in their last three league matches

— This is the first competitive game between Atalanta and Real Madrid.  Atalanta’s only previous meeting with a Spanish side in European competition was in last season’s Round of 16 when they faced Valencia, which they won 8-4 on aggregate.

— Atalanta are the only remaining side in this round of 16 yet to win a single home game in the  Champions League this season (2 Draws,1 Loss).
— Zinedine Zidane has prevailed as Real Madrid manager in 12 of his 13 UEFA Champions League knockout ties.

— Zinedine Zidane has been knocked out of the Champions League only once.

Atalanta and Real Madrid go head-to-head for the first time on Wednesday, and even though the visitors boast 13 Champions League titles, with several key players missing, it could be a very tricky tie for the Spanish champions.