Atalanta shall be hoping to take care of Italy’s Champions League curiosity in Tuesday’s final 16 return matches.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s males have the straightforward job of reversing a 1-0 deficit in opposition to Actual Madrid, essentially the most profitable membership within the historical past of the competitors and winner of 4 of the final seven tournaments.

Zinedine Zidane’s males have struggled for consistency in 2020-2021, however the Champions League historically brings out their greatest, whereas Atalanta’s go to is also a celebration to rejoice for Toni Kroos.

Madrid could also be assured of their probabilities, however Manchester Metropolis are in an much more enviable place, having received 2-0 away in opposition to Borussia Monchengladbach of their first leg.

Gladbach has suffered rather a lot because the information of Marco Rose’s departure for Borussia Dortmund earlier than subsequent season, dropping six straight video games in all competitions, and so they may characterize good opposition for Sergio Aguero, who’s chasing a historic purpose.

Actual Madrid (1) in opposition to Atalanta (0): can Gasperini’s males restore nationwide satisfaction in Spain?

Atalanta capitalized on their solely earlier go to to Spain in European competitors, profitable 4-3 for Valencia at this level in final season’s competitors to safe a sensational 8-4 cumulative victory, with Josip Ilicic scoring all 4 targets.

Nonetheless, historical past is just not on their facet this time round. Italian groups have misplaced 11 of their earlier 12 video games in opposition to Madrid and have conceded not less than twice in 10 of these video games. It’s important to return to Juventus in November 2008 to search out an Italian facet that blocked Los Blancos from scoring.

Madrid have progressed eight of the final 9 Champions League knockout video games during which they received the primary leg, besides for 2 years in the past when Ajax shocked them with a win 4-1 on the Santiago Bernabeu. Nonetheless, a newer kind could also be of concern to them.

Madrid have made 4 house knockout video games and not using a win, whereas Atalanta haven’t conceded an away purpose within the Champions League this season and luxuriate in a five-game profitable streak on their travels, the most effective such streak of any staff within the competitors.

Toni Kroos may participate in a decisive sport. The midfielder may solely turn out to be the second German outfield participant to start out 100 Champions League appearances, after Bayern Munich nice Philipp Lahm, who completed in 110.

With Eden Hazard injured as soon as once more, Zidane may do with Marco Asensio to finish his purpose drought. The Spain worldwide has tried 14 pictures in six video games, essentially the most remaining gamers within the competitors who’ve failed to attain a purpose.

Manchester Metropolis (2) v Borussia Monchengladbach (0): Bundesliga hopes for a miracle

Gladbach’s final go to to Metropolis resulted in a 4-0 loss, their heaviest away loss within the competitors. In reality, Metropolis are unbeaten in 5 conferences with opponents on Tuesday and have scored not less than twice in every of their 4 wins.

Pep Guardiola’s first Champions League sport was a 4-0 house win over Gladbach, with Metropolis having received extra video games (16) and scored extra targets (59) at house than another English staff within the competitors at the moment. They’re on a 10-game profitable streak in 11 European video games on the Etihad Stadium, during which they common 3.5 targets per sport.

Gladbach had an outstanding group stage however, since profitable 6-0 and 4-0 back-to-back wins over Shakhtar Donetsk, they’ve misplaced three straight and have failed to attain within the earlier two. It is onerous to look previous a cushty Metropolis win.

Aguero is hoping for one more begin, and if the Argentine scores he’ll attain 20 targets in 29 Champions League appearances underneath Guardiola. This could convey him nearer to Thomas Muller and depart him solely Lionel Messi (43) for essentially the most targets scored within the competitors underneath the previous Barcelona boss.