Real Madrid may not be perfect, but in crucial moments, they always know how to become a great team

Real Madrid affirms timeless class

Real Madrid may not be perfect, but in important moments, they always know how to become a great team.

Real Madrid’s spirit

Despite facing great difficulties, from unstable performance to huge pressure from opponents, Real Madrid once again affirmed their strength to triumph. Against the rising home team Atalanta, “Los Blancos” still got 3 points after a narrow 3-2 victory.

Real Madrid entered the match against Atalanta not only with the pressure to win but also to prove the value of a great team. They may not have shown beautiful or convincing football, but determination and the spirit to overcome adversity are never lacking in this team.

Carlo Ancelotti made bold calculations to exploit the weaknesses in Atalanta’s defensive system, especially the individual marking. Ancelotti’s strategy focused on stretching Atalanta’s defense.

He used Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe as the main strikers, exploiting the space behind the high defenders. Right from the first minutes, Vinecius Jr. often dropped deep to receive the ball, creating opportunities for Bellingham to move forward. It was the flexibility in these combinations that helped Real Madrid open the scoring.

However, after taking the lead, Real Madrid revealed their familiar weaknesses: losing the ball quickly and lacking the ability to control the tempo of the match. This is puzzling when they have players with good control of the game like Luka Modric or Eduardo Camavinga. The disjointedness in Madrid’s play created opportunities for Atalanta to rise strongly.

Atalanta also did not hide their intention to play offensively against Real Madrid. Their full-backs and centre-backs often pushed up, putting their opponents in a dangerous defensive situation. Lookman, one of the brightest stars in the Atalanta squad, constantly exploited the weakness in Lucas Vázquez’s individual defense.

However, Real Madrid’s defense, especially Thibaut Courtois, spoke up at the right time. The Belgian goalkeeper was not only the one who “carried the team” with spectacular saves, he was also the main reason Real Madrid kept the rhythm of the match in the most dangerous moments. Besides Courtois, Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni also played with a fierce spirit, blocking dangerous penetrations from Atalanta.

The difference comes from the stars

While Real Madrid still had moments of wobble, their squad always had individuals capable of changing the game. Vinícius, despite still limping, still made important plays to help Real Madrid escape the pressure.

Jude Bellingham, not only scored but also showed his role as a complete leader on the pitch. Mbappe also played a starring role, constantly putting Atalanta’s defence in with his dizzying runs.

Courtois, however, was the one who stole the show. His unplanned saves kept Real Madrid on their toes, opening up opportunities for them to finish the game with their usual flair. According to WhoScored, the former Chelsea star made seven saves against Atalanta.

The win over Atalanta helped Real Madrid improve their Champions League position in the 2024/25 season, and boost their confidence for the next stage. However, the team still has a lot of work to do if they want to go further in the season.

The fragility of their playing style and the ability to maintain momentum throughout the match can be a weakness when facing bigger opponents. Atalanta failed to capitalize on their opportunities and lost, but on another day, against more formidable opponents, Real Madrid may not have achieved a positive result.

However, despite their shortcomings, Real Madrid is still a team that has a habit of winning in the most difficult situations. With their spirit and character, they will always be the top candidate for the Champions League title.