Atalanta fought valiantly against Real Madrid in Bergamo, delivering a performance worthy of admiration despite a 2-3 defeat. Gasperini’s side showcased courage and quality, earning the applause of their fans in a thrilling encounter. Up against global stars like Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham—who scored Madrid’s goals—the Nerazzurri refused to back down. De Ketelaere converted a penalty, and Lookman added a brilliant near-post strike in a match where Ederson shone as a midfield powerhouse. However, a stunning late miss by Retegui, off a Lookman assist, denied Atalanta a well-deserved draw in the dying moments.
In Leverkusen, Inter’s unbeaten run in the Champions League came to an end with a narrow loss to Bayer. Simone Inzaghi opted for a heavily rotated lineup with just four regular starters, focusing on conserving energy for the upcoming league clash with Lazio. The strategy appeared effective until the final moments when Mukiele’s goal sealed the match for Bayer. While the loss dampened the evening, Inter remains in a strong position to advance in the tournament.
Italian Teams Look to Bounce Back Tonight
Following Atalanta and Inter’s tough night, the spotlight shifts to Milan, Juventus, and Bologna. Fonseca’s Milan hosts Red Star Belgrade in a relatively straightforward clash, ideal for regaining momentum after controversial refereeing decisions in Serie A. Bologna seeks its first-ever Champions League win against Benfica, who boasts three victories and two losses in this group stage. Finally, Juventus faces Manchester City in a high-stakes showdown in Turin. Once a dream matchup, injuries have plunged both sides into turmoil, with the English champions in open crisis and Thiago Motta’s future in doubt if results don’t improve. Football’s unpredictability, as ever, looms large.
