Real Madrid vs Atalanta Champions League preview: where to watch, predicted line-ups, team news

Real Madrid host Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg on 16 March at 21:00 CET.

What happened in the first leg?

Atalanta played the majority of the game with ten men after Remo Freuler's 17th-minute red card, but held out until four minutes from time, when Ferland Mendy's goal earned Real Madrid a slender advantage.

Where to watch the game on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

Form guide

Real Madrid
Form: WDDWWW
Latest: Real Madrid 2-1 Elche, 13/03
Where they stand: 2nd in Liga

Atalanta
Form: WLWWLW
Latest: Atalanta 3-1 Spezia, 12/03
Where they stand: 4th in Serie A

Possible line-ups

Real Madrid: Courtois; Vázquez, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Kroos; Isco, Modrić, Valverde, Vinícius; Benzema

Atalanta: Sportiello; Tolói, Romero, Djimsiti; Mæhle, De Roon, Pessina, Gosens; Pašalić; Muriel, Zapata

Expert predictions

Joe Walker, Madrid reporter: There’s just something about this competition and Real Madrid, isn’t there? Far from their sparkling best in the first leg, they did enough to gain a priceless away victory and will be confident of finishing the job back in the Spanish capital. Add into that the return of captain Sergio Ramos just in time for this game, and Madrid fans might even be excused for believing things are just starting to fall into place for them to go all the way.

Vieri Capretta, Atalanta reporter: La Dea are on fire in the league, but will need a special performance to win at Real Madrid. Atalanta have beaten Ajax and Liverpool away from home this season, demonstrating that they have what it takes to score a few against Los Blancos and progress. Whatever happens, they will aim to attack and score at least twice; concede a single goal at this stage won't make that much of a difference.

View from the camps

Zinédine Zidane, Real Madrid coach: "We need to start the game from scratch. We have not won anything yet, and we need to show a lot in order to get through this tie. We can't think we've already got it sewn up just because of the first leg result. We're only thinking about this game. It's a final. We need to play a great game if we want to go through against opponents who have a lot going for them."

Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta coach: "Real Madrid were favourites before [the first leg]; now even more so. But we are still capable. We want to have a great game, and I hope that will be enough against one of the world's most successful teams. The first few minutes will be vital. We have to stay in contention for as long as possible."

Thibault Courtois, Real Madrid goalkeeper: "The away goal means a lot but the return leg will be a different game. The Champions League is always tough."