Real Madrid aim to assure Spanish presence in Champions League quarters

Madrid, Spain | THE INDEPENDENT | Real Madrid look to ensure at least one Spanish side in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals when they meet Italian side Atalanta on Tuesday.

As FC Barcelona and Sevilla have already been out of the tournament and Atletico Madrid faces an uphill struggle to get past Chelsea after losing 1-0 at home to the Premier League side three weeks ago, Real Madrid is clearly La Liga’s best bet to make the last eight.

Zinedine Zidane’s side won 1-0 in Bergamo thanks to a late goal from Ferland Mendy after playing against a rival who was reduced to 10-men in the 17th minute after Remo Freuler was shown a controversial direct red card.

Playing with 10 men clipped the wings of a rival noted for their attacking style of play, Atlanta has little option other than to attack in Madrid.

Zidane was able to rest midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos for an hour of Saturday’s league win at home to Elche and the pair will both start on Tuesday. Their contribution will be vital given that Casemiro – so vital in the holding role – is unavailable through suspension, and the energetic Fede Valverde will probably replace the Brazilian.

Sergio Ramos has recovered from injury and will start in defense, although Dani Carvajal is still out at right-back, with Lucas Vazquez continuing to cover.

One of Zidane’s big decisions is whether Eden Hazard will start in attack after playing the closing minutes of Saturday’s game. The Belgian has suffered a string of injuries in recent months and the Real Madrid coach will have to decide whether to risk the winger from the start or to play either Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo or Isco, with Marco Asensio providing another attacking option.

Duvan Zapata started on the bench in Atalanta’s 3-1 win against Spezia in the league on Friday but should return on Tuesday, while Cristian Romero will be back in central defense.

Mario Pasalic will probably replace Freuler, while former Sevilla striker Luis Muriel partners Zapata in attack.

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