Real Madrid will approach their UEFA Champions League match against Atalanta with the idea that it will be nothing less than a final.
Indeed, the stakes could not be higher for Los Blancos, who find themselves in a precarious position after a disappointing start to the group stage of the new Champions League format.
Real's struggles are evident, with three defeats in their first five matches, which places them 24th out of 36 teams. A top-eight finish, which would allow teams to advance to another knockout round, seems almost out of reach at this point.
Even more alarming, Real are on the brink of elimination, a scenario that was unthinkable at the start of the campaign.
Today's game in Italy should be seen as a life and death situation and a result of less than three points could put them in trouble, further complicating their path to qualifying for the competition.
A difficult opponent
Atalanta, however, is not an easy opponent. They are currently one of the most in-form teams in Europe, with a nine-match winning streak and an unbeaten run since the end of September.
This is a completely different team to the one Real Madrid beat in the European Super Cup earlier this year, where Los Blancos won 2-0. This time the challenge is important and Real knows it well.
Real Madrid are no strangers to adversity The Champions League group stage.
In the 2020-2021 season, they also struggled at the start of the season, with a loss to Shakhtar Donetsk and a draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach, before recovering to reach the semi-finals.
However, this year's situation looks more critical. The new Champions League format has added complexity and a growing injury list has left Real breathless.
As the team prepares for this crucial meeting, it is clear that their journey to This season's Champions League could hinge on the outcome in Bergamo. The pressure is on and the stakes are higher than ever.
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