Rumours of Real Madrid’s imminent Champions League demise had, it turns out, been exaggerated. So had suggestions Kylian Mbappé makes a poor fit for Carlo Ancelotti’s side if an emphatic opening goal is anything to go by, although his later departure with an injury means the question marks will linger. Ultimately the holders could feel relieved at hauling themselves back into contention for an automatic knockout spot and the fact Atalanta, intense and vibrant to the last, were cheered off in defeat said everything about the tenor of a pulsating evening.
It ended with Mateo Retegui volleying over from point-blank range, although a likely offside spared his blushes. The home side would have deserved to extend a 14-game unbeaten run that stretched to late September. Everyone leaves this rebuilt venue, the most cutting-edge in Italy but still dreamily atmospheric, knowing they have been in a game and Real were taken the distance. Atalanta should still reach the last 16 one way or another and there was a sense, as the teams walked off, that they may meet again soon with more at stake.
