Real Madrid’s Star Power and Grit Shine in Champions League Win Over Atalanta
BERGAMO, Italy — After Real Madrid’s commanding 3-0 win over Girona on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti confidently declared, “We’re back.” But let’s pump the brakes on that statement for a moment. While the victory was impressive, Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Atalanta in the Champions League showed that Madrid still has some work to do before they can truly claim to be a cohesive, well-oiled machine. And losing Kylian Mbappé to injury just 35 minutes into the match certainly doesn’t help their cause, even if they did regain the services of Vinícius Júnior.
To be fair, playing Atalanta is no walk in the park. As Pep Guardiola once quipped, facing Gian Piero Gasperini’s side is “as much fun as a trip to the dentist.” The good news for Madrid? They won’t have to deal with Atalanta—or any team quite like them—again for a while. The bad news? There are still glaring issues that Ancelotti’s squad needs to address.
Real Madrid’s Flaws Exposed
Tuesday night’s match in Bergamo was a mixed bag for Los Blancos. On one hand, it highlighted some of the team’s persistent weaknesses. Dani Ceballos once again proved he struggles as a playmaker when under pressure. Lucas Vázquez, while versatile, is not someone you want defending one-on-one against a player like Ademola Lookman. And then there’s the positional imbalance when Vinícius, Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham are all on the pitch. The trio tends to drift left, creating a lopsided attack. When they do try to maintain proper spacing, as Mbappé occasionally did, it feels forced—like kids trying to follow a coach’s instructions to the letter without fully understanding the game.
But let’s not overlook the positives. This match also showcased two of Real Madrid’s greatest strengths: their star power and their grit. Just take a look at the scoresheet: Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham. Mbappé’s opening goal was a masterclass in control and finishing. Vinícius, while fortunate with his goal, delivered an absolutely jaw-dropping assist for Bellingham’s strike that made it 3-1. And speaking of Bellingham, his intelligent movement, powerful runs, and clinical finishing were on full display. Even Antonio Rüdiger deserves a shoutout for his defensive heroics, including two crucial stops on Charles De Ketelaere in the first half. Yes, defenders can be stars too.
The Grit That Sets Madrid Apart
Beyond the flashy goals and big names, what really sets this Real Madrid team apart is their grit—their ability to grind out results when it matters most. Whether it was Vázquez eating up precious seconds of injury time by staying down after a clash with Odilon Kossounou (and earning a yellow card for his troubles) or Bellingham popping up all over the pitch to snuff out danger late in the game, this team knows how to see out a win.
Atalanta: A Unique Challenge
Let’s take a moment to appreciate Atalanta, a team that continues to punch above its weight. Before kickoff, the Atalanta Ultras unveiled a tifo depicting Gasperini as a medieval knight wielding the Europa League trophy. It’s a fitting tribute to a coach who has turned a collection of castoffs and misfits into one of Europe’s most exciting teams. Players like Lookman (unwanted by RB Leipzig), De Ketelaere (unwanted by AC Milan), and Raoul Bellanova (unwanted by Inter Milan) have found new life under Gasperini’s guidance. This isn’t just good coaching—it’s great coaching.
Atalanta’s fearless, high-energy style of play is a nightmare for opponents. Their man-to-man press can suffocate even the most organized teams, and they’ve tightened up defensively compared to previous seasons. It’s no wonder they’re top of Serie A and capable of going toe-to-toe with giants like Real Madrid.
Mbappé’s Injury: A Cause for Concern?
Unfortunately for Madrid, the win came at a cost. Mbappé left the game after just 35 minutes with a thigh injury. While Ancelotti described the substitution as precautionary, the full extent of the injury won’t be known until further tests are conducted. In the short time he was on the pitch, Mbappé was electric, scoring a goal and creating several other chances. He also showed a willingness to work off the ball, a trait that wasn’t always evident during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
Some might argue that Vinícius’ return from injury lit a fire under Mbappé, but it’s more likely that the French star simply recognizes the need to adapt to Madrid’s unbalanced setup. For 35 minutes, he was everything Madrid needed him to be. Now, the question is how long they’ll have to cope without him.
Éderson: Atalanta’s Unsung Hero
While much of the focus was on Madrid’s stars, Atalanta’s Éderson deserves a special mention. The midfielder was everywhere, dominating Federico Valverde and Ceballos while also contributing in attack. Whether it was beating Vinícius in a foot race, nutmegging Mbappé, or making recovery runs, Éderson was a one-man wrecking crew. It’s hard to think of another midfielder who combines quality and quantity as consistently as he does.
Takeaways
- Real Madrid’s star power remains their biggest asset, but their tactical imbalances need addressing.
- Atalanta continues to impress with their fearless, high-energy style and Gasperini’s masterful coaching.
- Mbappé’s injury is a concern, but his performance before exiting was a reminder of his immense talent.
In the end, Real Madrid’s mix of individual brilliance and collective grit was enough to secure the win. But if they want to truly be “back,” as Ancelotti claimed, there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Originally Written by: Gabriele Marcotti
