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Bergamo "Atalanta" team will try to create a surprise in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The "Serie A" club will play away against Madrid's "Real" team, which has a minimal lead of 1:0 after the first match in Italy. The only goal of the match was scored on February 24 in the 86th minute by Ferland Mendy, while the hosts had to play without expelled Remo Freuler from the 17th minute - this moment caused a lot of discussion among fans.
Expert Thoughts
Joe Walker, "Real" expert: "This tournament is simply linked to the Spanish team, isn't it? Despite the imperfect game in the first match, an invaluable victory was still achieved and now we intend to confidently finish the job in the Spanish capital. Adding returning Sergio Ramos to the pitch and "Real" fans may again start to see things returning to normal."
Vieri Capretta, Italian journalist: "Our players demonstrate a great form in the Serie A league, but a special performance will be needed to win against the Madrid team. This season, "Atalanta" has already beaten the Amsterdam "Ajax" and "Liverpool" teams away, thus proving its ability to score against the "Real" club. Whatever happens, the goal of the guests will be to attack and score at least two goals - conceding one accurate shot in the current situation will not matter."
Coaches' Comments
Zinedine Zidane (Real): "We must start the match confidently because we haven't won anything yet and we will have to try very hard to get to the next stage. We cannot think that we are already in the quarter-finals because we only won the first match, so all thoughts will have to be directed to the upcoming match. This is the final match and my players will have to demonstrate a powerful game against a strong opponent."
Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta): "Real" was already the favorite before the first match in Italy, and now the opponents have strengthened this status even more. However, we are also capable. We want to play great matches and hope that it will be enough against one of the most successful clubs on the planet. Everything will be decided by the first minutes of the match - we have to keep the intrigue going for as long as possible."
Predicted Starting Lineups
Real: Courtois; Vázquez, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Kroos; Isco, Modrić, Valverde, Vinícius; Benzema. Atalanta: Gollini; Tolói, Romero, Palomino; Maehle, De Roon, Pašalić, Gosens; Pessina; Muriel, Zapata.
Referee and Time
The match will start at 22:00, with the Dutch referee Danny Makkelie officiating at the "Alfredo Di Stefano" arena.
