GOOD EVENING
And welcome to the live blog for Atalanta vs Real Madrid!
Tonight’s Champions League clash is highly anticipated, with free-scoring Atalanta welcoming Los Blancos to the Gewiss Stadium.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s La Dea finished second in Group D to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
And Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid made hard work of their efforts to finish top of Group B.
Domestically, Atalanta are some way off title contention but have scored the second most amount of goals in the league (53).
And with the home side scoring at least three goals in nine of their last 11 home games, Madrid’s backline could be in for a real challenge.
Madrid, since they last conquered the competition back in 2018, have been knocked out at this stage of the competition by Ajax and Manchester City.
The La Liga champions have, however, won their last four domestic matches, handing them some much-needed momentum heading into tonight’s clash.
In terms of team news, Hans Hateboer will be missing for the hosts due to injury.
And Joakim Maehle is set to slot in at right-back in his place.
As for Madrid, they have their fair share of injuries and star man Karim Benzema is the latest casualty.
He joins a long list including captain Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Marcelo, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Federico Valverde.
The teamsheets are due to be released in half an hour, so don’t go anywhere!