Real Madrid returned to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League by defeating Serie A leaders Atalanta with a thrilling 3-2 win that saw Los Blancos lead until the final whistle. Kylian Mbappé struck early before being forced off with a groin injury, but Charles De Ketelaere equalized with a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Vinícius, returning from injury, scored a goal early in the second half and set up another for Jude Bellingham. Ademola Lookman reduced the deficit and ensured a nervous end for the Spanish team.

Three answers

1. Would Vinícius be fit to start?

After missing four games, Vinícius Júnior returned to action from the start when Carlo Ancelotti put him straight into the starting lineup for this must-win game. Right from the start it was clear that Vini’s mere presence made a difference for the Real Madrid team. He fended off Raoul Bellanova as he went wide, forcing Atalanta to double him in an attempt to control the Brazilian, who appeared to be in peak physical condition. In the early stages of the second half, he scored a successful goal and an assist for Jude Bellingham in just three minutes. This team with and without Vinícius is like night and day, and having him back is the biggest possible boost for a team lacking confidence and grit.

2. Would Aurélien Tchouameni continue in defense?

Following Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to drop Raúl Asencio for the win over Girona at the weekend, it remained to be seen whether this move would be permanent or whether Asencio could return to the team. This showed that Tchouameni will now play central defense in Ancelotti’s strongest team for the foreseeable future. The Frenchman looked efficient and comfortable in central defense. He conceded an unfortunate penalty and cut off Sead Kolasinac, but was otherwise excellent defensively, fending off nine balls. On the ball, he made a difference with a pass rate of 98%, misplacing just one of his 56 attempted passes, helping Real Madrid maintain composure and develop from the back. His strong presence brought with it a confidence that Asencio lacks, and he looks more comfortable without a runner behind him than in a leadership role. This could be a win-win solution.

3. Can Real Madrid get their Champions League campaign back on track?

The result means they cannot finish this matchday lower than 21st, currently sitting in 18th until Wednesday night’s games. This also reduces the gap to the top eight to just three points. It’s not impossible to make up that number, although Real Madrid will almost certainly rely on other results being good and their rivals losing points. The remaining games are against RB Salzburg (currently 32nd) and Brest (currently 5th, despite being 11th in Ligue 1). Los Blancos should claim six points from these two games and that should be enough to send Real Madrid into contention. This win was by far the toughest game remaining and the first away win in Europe this season was crucial in putting the team on the right path to qualification.

Three questions

1. How bad is Kylian Mbappé’s injury?

Just as Kylian Mbappé seemed to be enjoying one of his best performances to date in a Real Madrid shirt, he left the shirt and hobbled down the touchline to sit back on the bench. It sparked fears that the Frenchman could suffer a more serious injury, although Carlo Ancelotti was quick to play down the concerns, saying: “He has a strain, a discomfort in the groin area.” We will have to see him in the next few days. It doesn’t seem like anything serious, but he had to stop because he couldn’t sprint…it bothered him a little. So we decided to change him.” With three games left before the winter break, it could come at a good time. Rayo Vallecano’s away game against a team that has won just two of its seven home games seems as good an opportunity as any to give Mbappé a break and not take any risks. The Intercontinental Cup final next midweek and the last league game of 2024 against Sevilla at the Bernabéu seem to be more realistic back dates.

2. Why can’t Real Madrid keep a clean sheet in the Champions League?

Real Madrid have not kept a clean sheet since the 2023/24 Champions League final against Borrusia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium. Real Madrid have conceded in each of their six games this season, with Stuttgart and Lille conceding one goal each, Liverpool, Dortmund and Atalanta twice and Milan three. Real Madrid’s goal difference in the Champions League is currently just +1 with 12 goals scored and 11 conceded, and only Dinamo Zagreb has conceded more goals out of the 24 teams currently in the qualifying places. This is a worrying record for Real Madrid. The defensive injury crisis has had an impact, much more so than in La Liga, where Real Madrid have the third best defensive record with 0.81 goals conceded per 90, while in the Champions League it is 1.83, equaling the 1.68 xG per game exceeds. In elite competitions, a second string defense is not enough.

3. Should Brahim Díaz start more often?

One of the puzzling questions of the last few weeks has been why Brahim Díaz hasn’t appeared more regularly. Normally he appeared to be the fourth option behind Rodrygo, Vini and Mbappé, but with the two Brazilians out at different times over the last month or two, he was largely used from his best position, acting as a makeshift centre-forward against Liverpool and Getafe before returning to the bench. It is also true that Brahim has not had a standout performance as he has had no goal involvement for Real Madrid, picking up an assist after replacing Rodrygo when the latter was injured against Osasuna in early November. Against Atalanta we saw arguably his best performance of the season as he started on the right and attacked with flair but worked diligently, recording nine successful duels, more than anyone else, in addition to creating two chances, one of which Kylian Mbappé set up points after 10 minutes. He has played his way back into the race.