Real Madrid’s confirmed line-up vs Atalanta in Champions League: Vinícius returns

Forward Vinícius Júnior has returned to the Real Madrid line-up for today’s crucial Champions League clash with Atalanta, as head coach Carlo Ancelotti makes three changes to the team that beat Girona at the weekend.

Vinícius has missed Madrid’s last four games with a hamstring injury, but comes back into Los Blancos’ team in Italy and will partner Kylian Mbappé in attack.

Who else has come into Madrid’s team vs Atalanta?

Defender Fran García and midfielder Dani Ceballos have also been brought into the visitors' XI at Gewiss Stadium.

Arda Güler and Luka Modric make way for Vinícius and Ceballos, respectively, while García is in at left-back in place of the injured Ferland Mendy.

In central defense, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni remains as a makeshift center-back alongside Antonio Rüdiger, relegating Raúl Asencio to the bench once more.

In Madrid’s 3-0 weekend win over Girona, Tchouaméni impressed with a solid display that also illustrated what he brings to the team in terms of distribution from the back.

Real Madrid’s confirmed line-up vs Atalanta:

Courtois, Vázquez, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, García, Ceballos, Valverde, Brahim, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé.

Atalanta vs Real Madrid: when, where, how to watch?

Atalanta host Real Madrid at Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday December 10, 2024, with kick-off in Bergamo scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the US can watch the game on TUDN USA, UniMás, Paramount+ and ViX. You can also stream the action on the online platform fubo, which offers a free trial.

In a matchday-six game that Ancelotti has described as Madrid’s “toughest assignment between now and the end of the year”, the defending champions are under pressure to win after consecutive Champions League defeats. Losses to AC Milan and Liverpool have left Los Merengues languishing in 24th in the 36-team ‘league phase’ standings, whose bottom 12 teams will be eliminated after eight games.

Only the top eight teams will qualify automatically for the Champions League’s last 16, while the clubs finishing in ninth to 24th will have to negotiate a playoff round to reach the knockout stage proper.

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