DBasia.news Real Madrid will host Atalanta at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, Wednesday (17/03) at 03.00 WIB, in the second leg of the Champions League top 16. Atalanta trailed 0-1 on aggregate to the value of Madrid’s away goals.
Seeing the aggregate, Atalanta can still chase it with a 2-0 win or at least equalize the aggregate without conceding a goal. Atalanta has more than enough ability to do so, even against a team that has the status of king of Europe.
Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini were famous for their offensive abilities. Currently alone in Serie A Atalanta has recorded 63 goals and is in fourth place, only losing to Inter Milan who scored 65 goals.
Atalanta can score a lot of goals but conceded a lot of goals. That is what will make the match at Madrid headquarters even more exciting. Gasperini has already made a firm statement.
“Real Madrid are the favorites, and now they are even more. We can still qualify, we want to be as competitive as possible,” said Gasperini. “We will see how the game develops, we will play our game, with our identity and our ideas.”
“We are aware that Real Madrid can use a different system but are ready to face different situations. We will not change our style.”
“We’re sorry we couldn’t play the first leg as we wanted. We have to play a defensive game, but we can’t think about that game. It’s in the past.”
In the first leg Atalanta did have to accept the bitter fact of playing to survive because Remo Freuler received a red card. No doubt their real game is yet to be seen.
However, in the second leg Atalanta, who played carefree, tried to catch up with that not too far behind. Even Karim Benzema, Madrid striker has asked his team to be aware of La Dea – Atalanta’s nickname.
“Atalanta are a good team. They scored a lot of goals. We are in the Champions League, and there is a lot of pressure. We respect our opponents, but we know we are a strong team,” added Benzema.
It is interesting to look forward to the match. Atalanta with their playing philosophy but lack of experience in the Champions League, or Madrid with their great quality and experience who will triumph in the match later.