By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 9, 2024

Real Madrid usually deliver in the Champions League when the pressure is on and their trip to face Atalanta on Tuesday is shaping up to be a crucial clash for the troubled holders.

The record 15-time winners have lost three of their first five matches and find themselves 24th in the standings, with places 25 to 36 eliminated at the end of the group phase.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to Bergamo this week before hosting RB Salzburg and then visiting French outfit Brest with their future in the competition on the line.

In-form Atalanta lead Serie A and have not been beaten yet in the Champions League, sitting fifth.

Madrid, meanwhile, have been beset by a string of problems including adaptation difficulties for superstar summer signing Kylian Mbappe and several key players sidelined through injury.

Italian coach Ancelotti has tried to ease the pressure on 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe, who has scored 11 goals in 21 games 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 cause for particular concern, his performances have left plenty to be desired given his status as one of the world’s top players.

Recent penalty misses against Liverpool in the Champions League and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, both matches finishing in defeats, exacerbated the focus on Mbappe, who has also had off-field problems.

The striker was not part of two recent France squads, is battling with PSG over an unpaid salary claim and is also reported to be under investigation in Sweden in a rape case.

“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.

Source Punch Ng

Posted December 9, 2024

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