Real Madrid are currently 24th in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League group stage, the final qualifying spot for the play-offs. The defending champions have had a difficult start, losing to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool.
Those results leave the La Liga giants with just six points from five Champions League games. They have three games remaining against Atalanta, Salzburg and Brest to improve their position. Real Madrid will now face Atalanta, who are fifth with 11 points.
A few months ago, Real Madrid beat Atalanta 2-0 in the European Super Cup. But currently, the Italian team is in very good form both domestically and in Europe.
“Obviously, the situation is very difficult for us. At Real Madrid, we are not used to situations like this. The team is used to conquering glory, calmness on this stage. But it is part of football, we have to work harder,” Valverde said before the match against Atalanta.
Madrid have been hit by a string of injuries this season, with defenders Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal set to miss out against the Italian side.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti said strikers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo will have to undergo fitness tests during training, before considering their ability to play.
Vinicius suffered a hamstring injury last month, while Rodrygo missed last weekend's win over Girona.
“Vinicius is fine. We will evaluate him and Rodrygo. Jude Bellingham is fit, he has been fully fit since last week. The match against Atalanta will be very difficult for us. They have improved a lot compared to the Super Cup a few months ago,” said Ancelotti.
The Italian tactician also reserved praise for Bellingham, who has scored five goals in his last five La Liga appearances after failing to score in the opening three months of the season.
"Bellingham is the same, but the team's form has changed. We're better up front with more mobility; he's using that. He's scored again, but his attitude on the pitch hasn't changed. He's a big contributor offensively and defensively, even if he doesn't score every game," he added.
Real Madrid's coach also confirmed that Endrick and Arda Guler will not leave the team on loan in January 2025, and asked everyone to be "patient" with these two young talents.
Atalanta vs Real Madrid match takes place at 3:00 on December 11.
