MADRID, Dec 9, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Real Madrid usually deliver in the
Champions League when the pressure is on and their trip to face Atalanta on
Tuesday is shaping up to be a crucial clash for the troubled holders.

The record 15-time winners have lost three of their first five matches and
find themselves 24th in the standings, with places 25 to 36 eliminated at the
end of the group phase.

Carlo Ancelotti's side travel to Bergamo this week before hosting RB Salzburg
and then visiting French outfit Brest with their future in the competition on
the line.

In-form Atalanta lead Serie A and have not been beaten yet in the Champions
League, sitting fifth.

Madrid, meanwhile, have been beset by a string of problems including
adaptation difficulties for superstar summer signing Kylian Mbappe and
several key players sidelined through injury.

Italian coach Ancelotti has tried to ease the pressure on 25-year-old former
Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe, who has scored 11 goals in 21 games since
joining Los Blancos.

"He isn't at his best level, but we have to give him time to adapt," said
Ancelotti last week. "He can do better and he's working to do that."

While Mbappe's goal rate is not a cause for particular concern, his
performances have left plenty to be desired given his status as one of the
world's top players.

Recent penalty misses against Liverpool in the Champions League and Athletic
Bilbao in La Liga, both matches finishing in defeats, exacerbated the focus
on Mbappe, who has also had off-field problems.

The striker was not part of two recent France squads, is battling with PSG
over an unpaid salary claim and is also reported to be under investigation in
Sweden in a rape case.

"I received nothing, no summons. I read the same thing as everyone else. The
Swedish government hasn't said anything -- I'm not involved," Mbappe told
Canal+ on Sunday.

- Important absences -

Madrid have lost key defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao to long-term
knee injury problems.

Even midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, whom Ancelotti has turned to as an
emergency defender in the past, has also been out hurt, only returning
recently.

Madrid will also be without Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba
for the visit to face Atalanta.

In the good news column they are set to have Brazilian wing wizards Vinicius
Junior and Rodrygo Goes back fit and available.

However Vinicius' expected return re-opens a debate which was in full flow
before he suffered a hamstring injury a fortnight ago.

The Ballon d'Or runner-up likes to play on the left wing, which is also
Mbappe's favourite spot.

After using Mbappe as a centre-forward for much of the season to date,
Ancelotti finally swapped them over for one match before Vinicius was hurt.

The coach cited the French forward's break from international duty as the
reason to put him on the wing, whereas Vinicius had returned from playing in
South America.

Ancelotti suggested Mbappe's struggles were not just down to him but an issue
of consistency affecting the whole team.

Although he accepted criticism for Madrid's form, having lost five games
across all competitions already, after stumbling just twice in the whole of
last season, Ancelotti said his team would fight.

"It's not a funeral -- we're still fighting in all competitions," said
Ancelotti last week, following Madrid's stumble at Athletic, the fifth of
those defeats.

"We have to be optimistic, keeping in mind the problems we're having and have
had.

"But we have to be optimistic because we have a quality squad. We have not
been able to find our best form, but I am convinced we will sooner or later."

With a thumping 3-0 win over Girona on Saturday in La Liga under their belt,
following that up with a show of force at Atalanta would start to ease
concerns in the Spanish capital.