Champions League team news and prediction: Atalanta vs Real Madrid

Despite Real Madrid's lengthy absentee list, they are not to be underestimated in the Champions League. The experience in this competition is second to none and against the inexperienced Atalanta, they'll be looking fall back on their Champions League knowledge to gain a first leg advantage in Italy tonight. 

Ahead of this tie, we provide the need-to-know pre-match information, including where and how to watch the game, key team news and probable XIs. 

When is kick off? 

Wednesday 24th February, 20:00 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo 

Where can I watch it? 

BT Sport 3 

Form Guide 

Following a three-game winless run, Atalanta come into tonight's welcome of Real Madrid on a three-game winning streak, including an enthralling 4-2 win over Napoli on Sunday, though at one stage that was par for course for Italy's great entertainers. Their sole defeat in their last 20 matches came in a 3-1 home loss to Lazio, a run of fixtures that saw them secure a spot in the Coppa Italia final. The Serie A outfit ended up finishing second in their group having earned a 1-0 win at Ajax on matchday six to book their spot in the last-16. 

Real Madrid haven't been their bulldozing self this season, but at least come into this Champions League tie on a four-game winning run, and a streak of three away victories on the bounce. Such has been their excellent form, they are now within touching distance of rivals Atletico Madrid when a title challenge looked to be out of the question. In one of the tightest groups, Los Blancos finished top with 10 points, this despite successive defeats at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk. 

Team News 

Bar the absence of regular right wing-back Hans Hateboer, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has a fully fit squad to select from, with January arrival Joakim Maehle expected to deputise for the Dutchman. Key defensive duo Cristian Romero and Berat Djimsiti are one booking away from missing the second leg, so need to tread carefully tonight. Atalanta have been faring well following the January departure of Papu Gomez. 

Where to start for Real Madrid? Zinedine Zidane has an injury crisis on his hands with no fewer than nine senior stars ruled out. Mariano is set to start in the absence of Karim Benzema in attack, while Nacho should partner Raphael Varane in defence with captain Sergio Ramos and Eder Militao sidelined. Wingers Eden Hazard and Rodrygo miss out, so too do right-backs Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola, which means Lucas Vazquez will continue at full-back. Federico Valverde and Marcelo make up the list of absentees. 

Probable XIs 

Atalanta (3412) - Gollini; Roloi, Romero, Djimsiti; Maehle, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Ilicic; Muriel, Zapata

Real Madrid (433) - Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Mariano, Vinicius Junior

Key Battle: Cristian Romero vs Raphael Varane

Ahead of tonight's meeting in Italy, Cristian Romero has garnered the third best WhoScored rating in the Champions League this season, returning an 8.17 for Atalanta this season. While Real Madrid aren't at full strength in Bergamo tonight, the Argentine needs to be at his ball winning best, which should be easy enough for Romero having averaged more interceptions per game (4.8) than any other player in the Champions League this season. If he can cut out those through balls from the midfield, then Los Blancos will struggle to create chances for this makeshift frontline.

Sergio Ramos is the glue that holds the Real Madrid backline together and his partnership with Raphael Varane, when the duo are on song, is considered one of the best in the game. However, the former's absence means there is greater pressure on the latter to shut out the Atalanta attack. The Frenchman is fortunate in that Papu Gomez is no longer an option for the Serie A side, but Varane has committed more errors leading to an opposition goal (4) than any other player since the start of the 2019/20 Champions League campaign. It is as many as he has managed in his entire LaLiga career. Apply the pressure to the 27-year-old and the chances of breaking down this Real Madrid side increases.

Score Prediction - Atalanta 2-1 Real Madrid