Hello and Welcome to SportzPoint for another UEFA Euro 2024 Live. The quarter-final match between the Netherlands and Turkiye will kick off at 12.30 am IST. Stay tuned for all the live updates. We will see Liverpool superstar Virgil Van Dijk representing his nation Netherlands against Real Madrid wonderkid Arda Guler's Turkiye in Berlin.

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UEFA Champions League 2024-25 is heading into its sixth match-week of the group phase as the qualification race is shaping up. The sixth match-week of the breathtaking UCL nights will commence with some nail-biting clashes on the very first matchday. Defending champions Real Madrid are going to take on a formidable Atalanta side at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy on 11 December 2024. The two teams recently faced off in the UEFA Super Cup Final in August, where Real Madrid won 2-0.

From possible starting XIs to Fantasy predictions, here is everything you need to know about the League match of Atalanta vs Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League 2024-25. 

Match Details 

Match: Atalanta vs Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2024-25 League Match

Date: 11 December 2024

Time: 1:30 AM IST

Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy 

How to watch the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 League Match between Atalanta vs Real Madrid

The match will be streamed Live on the Sony Liv app and website. Viewers can also watch the game live on TV on Sony Sports Network. 

Team News

Atalanta

Atalanta have proved themselves as one of the most formidable sides to face this season, having won nine out of their last nine games across all competitions. The Nerazzurris have faced their last defeat against Como in the Serie A in September. Since then, Atalanta have beaten stalwarts such as Napoli, AS Roma, and AC Milan in the Serie A. Currently, they are leading the Serie A table with 34 points in 15 games. 

Atalanta are coming to their sixth UCL outing this season after back-to-back huge wins against AS Roma and AC Milan in their last game. They are remarkably one of three teams to stay undefeated so far in the Champions League this season. Atalanta is currently positioned 5th in the UCL table, having earned 11 points in 5 matches with 3 wins and 2 draws on the way. The Nerazzurris have won their last two UCL outings against Stuttgart and Young Boys, which will boost their confidence before taking on the reigning champions. 

🏃🔋🔥#AtalantaRealMadrid #UCL #GoAtalantaGo ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/pLSLoLOJxx

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) December 9, 2024

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has the same squad from the AC Milan game at his disposal, and there can be some changes in the starting eleven as well. Gasperini still can not acquire the services of Gianluca Scamacca, Juan Cuadrado, and Giorgio Scalvini who are suffering from long-term injuries. Davide Zappacosta is on the squad but he is also doubtful for the game against Madrid.

I 22 convocati per la sfida ai Blancos ⚔️

Our squad list for tomorrow's clash 🔥#AtalantaRealMadrid #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/gx5GwI4p9Q

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) December 9, 2024

Atalanta are on a 9-match winning streak; which will surely be feared by the opponents and the Italian side will capitalize on their home advantage. They will also look for revenge for their defeat against Madrid in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup final in August. 

Last 5 Matches:  W W W W W 

Real Madrid

Real Madrid are in a turmoiled situation in the Champions League scenario this season, with 3 defeats in 5 games so far. However, no one can scrap them on a UCL night, especially when they are on the brink of despair. The Los Blancos always excel under pressure and they will try their best to do so after two consecutive defeats against AC Milan and Liverpool in the Champions League. 

🎯 #UCL 🎯
📺 INSIDE TRAINING 👉 #RMPlay
🔗 https://t.co/MzhEDGLTvC

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 9, 2024

Madrid are heading into the Atalanta game after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Girona in the LaLiga, as they are currently second in the league with 36 points in 16 matches. However, the face-off against Atalanta is a crucial game for the Blancos, as they are standing in the 24th position in the UCL table with 6 points in 5 games; with 2 wins and 3 defeats on the way. To elevate their chances of qualifying, Real Madrid must take three points from Gewiss Stadium tonight. 

Coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to field the starting eleven without the services of David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy who are all sidelined due to long-term injuries. 

📋✅ ¡Nuestros convocados!
🆚 @Atalanta_BC#UCL pic.twitter.com/KShyrkhW1B

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 8, 2024

Real Madrid will leave no stone unturned to prove themselves again on the biggest stage of European club football. The team is familiar with their opponents tonight and they will try to replicate their performance from the Super Cup final.

Last 5 Matches: W L W L W 

Head-to-head 

Matches played: 3

Atalanta Wins: 0

Real Madrid Wins: 3

Draws: 0

Possible Playing XI

Atalanta

Marco Carnesecchi (GK); Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, Sead Kolasinac; Raoul Bellanova, Marten De Roon, Ederson, Matteo Ruggeri; Charles De Ketelaere, Mario Retegui, Ademola Lookman

Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois (GK); Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Federico Valverde, Aurelin Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.

Atalanta and Real Madrid: Fantasy XI Prediction

Courtois, Djimsti, Rudiger, Bellanova, Vazquez, Ruggeri, Valverde, De Ketelaere, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Lookman 

Real Madrid secured a vital victory at Montilivi, defeating Girona 3-0 to keep pace in the La Liga title race. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute, continuing his fine form with goals in five consecutive league games.

First Half

Girona started strongly but created few clear chances. Van de Beek’s early effort went over the bar, while Real Madrid began imposing themselves midway through the first half. Brahim Díaz came close in the 34th minute, forcing a sharp save from Gazzaniga. Moments later, Bellingham capitalized on a loose clearance to break the deadlock.

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Second Half

🙌 @KMbappe 🙌#GironaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/1rXP336KW2

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 7, 2024

Madrid intensified their attack after halftime, with Tchouaméni’s header and Güler’s strike testing Girona’s defense. Arda Güler doubled the lead in the 55th minute, calmly slotting home from Bellingham’s precise pass. Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory in the 62nd minute, finishing brilliantly from Luka Modrić's pinpoint through ball.

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Despite Gazzaniga’s heroics, Real’s relentless pressure was too much for the hosts. This commanding win keeps Madrid in the title race and highlights their offensive depth and clinical edge as they continue their strong league campaign.

The club will be excitedly heading into next week's Champions League match.

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Final Score

Real Madrid- 3 (Bellingham 36', Guler 55', Mbappe' 62)

Girona- 0

This fixture holds so much history in the League fondly called the Merseyside derby it was one of the most fiercely contested games. As these two iconic clubs clash again, the stakes are as high as ever, with city pride and crucial points on the line. Everton will look to break Liverpool’s dominance in recent meetings, while the Reds aim to assert their superiority and keep their season's momentum alive.

Match Details

Match: Everton vs Liverpool

Date: 07/12/2024

Time: 6:00 pm (IST)

Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England.

Match Preview

Everton will bid farewell to Goodison Park at the end of the season, a stadium that has been their home for decades and the venue for 244 Merseyside derbies. The 245th derby, set for tomorrow, will be the last held at Goodison before the club transitions to their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock.

This historic occasion adds extra intensity, as Everton will be determined not to lose their final derby at the iconic ground to their fierce local rivals. Bragging rights and legacy will be on the line.

Everton manager Sean Dyche heads into the match with confidence following a dominant 4-0 win over Wolves midweek, a performance that highlighted their set-piece strength, with players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Tarkowski posing significant aerial threats.

Their physicality in midfield will also be key to disrupting Liverpool’s flow, potentially creating a hostile environment that the Reds have struggled with in the past.

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On the other hand, Liverpool manager Arne Slot will aim to rally his team after a frustrating draw against Newcastle, where they dropped two crucial points. Slot's side faces pressure from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea closing in behind them in the standings. 

Liverpool, however, have match-winners aplenty, with Mohamed Salah in exceptional form. His pace, sharp runs, and finishing ability will test Everton's defensive resolve. Liverpool also boasts creativity throughout the squad, capable of turning even the most random moments into goal-scoring opportunities.

While Liverpool may be favorites, Everton’s determination to make their last derby at Goodison unforgettable could set the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling encounter.

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Head- to- Head Stats

The two sides have played 64 times with Liverpool dominating the fixture. in the last 5 meetings, the visitors have won 3 times, while Everton has won once and the other has ended in a draw.

Matches played- 64

Liverpool win- 28

Everton win- 11

Draws- 25

Team News

Everton

Armando Broja made his Everton debut late in Wednesday's victory and had a promising impact, creating two opportunities that Jack Harrison failed to convert.

Broja's return adds competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who reclaimed his spot from Beto midweek and contributed to the two own goals scored by Craig Dawson.

Meanwhile, Youssef Chermiti is expected to return in a week or two to further strengthen Everton’s attacking lineup. In midfield, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are also working to regain fitness ahead of the demanding winter schedule.

Michael Keane is doubtful while Youssef Chermiti (foot), Tim Iroegbunam (foot) and James Garner (back) remain sidelined.

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Liverpool

Liverpool's defensive pair, Ibrahima Konate, and Conor Bradley, remain unavailable, and their absence was evident on Wednesday, with Joe Gomez struggling at the back, Jarrell Quansah may be the preferred option to partner Virgil van Dijk in defense.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is nearing a return, although Slot has indicated that he won’t rush him back due to Caoimhin Kelleher’s strong form. However, following Kelleher's costly mistake on Wednesday, Alisson could return sooner than expected.

Alexis Mac Allister will miss the match due to a suspension after his booking at Newcastle, and it seems unlikely that Diogo Jota or Federico Chiesa will feature in such a high-intensity game.

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Possible Lineups

Everton's possible starting lineup:

Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Ndiaye, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin

Liverpool's possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the restructured global club football competition will bring together 32 teams from across the world to vie for the title of world champions.

The draw, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Miami, showcased an impressive lineup of continental and domestic champions from every corner of the globe.

Among the standout contenders are Spain's Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League winners, Brazil's Botafogo, the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions, and Egypt's Al Ahly, who are consecutive CAF Champions League winners.

New Format

Traditionally featuring six to eight teams, the FIFA Club World Cup will now adopt a new format, hosting the largest number of participants in its history. Teams earned qualification by winning their respective continental club tournaments, such as the UEFA Champions League, and based on the confederations' four-year rankings.

South America (CONMEBOL) includes six teams, whereas Europe (whose confederation is UEFA) has twelve, making up the largest representation of the 32 teams.

There are four teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Africa (AFC), and Asia (AFC).

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was given a spot, as the domestic champions of the host country, Oceania (OFC) got one spot as well. The top two from each of the 8 groups will advance to the knockout stages after a round-robin group stage.

The final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July.

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FIFA Club World Cup Groups

When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States of America.

How many teams will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

A total of 32 teams from 6 continents will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Kylian Mbappe has issued an apologetic statement on Instagram claiming responsibility for Real Madrid's frustrating 1-2 defeat against Athletic Bilbao in LalIga last night. Bilbao keeper Julen Agirrezabala saved Mbappe's attempt from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, ruining a huge chance for Madrid to grab an equalizer. Following the defeat, Mbappe posted a message to the fans on Instagram to convey an apology. 

Kylian Mbappe has issued this message after #RealMadrid's 2-1 defeat at Athletic Club this evening (via IG). pic.twitter.com/IkGrQaG8zM

— Football España (@footballespana_) December 4, 2024

Real Madrid faces a tough defeat 

Real Madrid spoiled a golden opportunity to decrease the points gap between them and league-leaders Barcelona, who are currently atop with 37 points in 16 matches. Real Madrid has accumulated 33 points so far, playing one game less than their eternal rivals. 

🔚 FINAL I GOOOOOAAAAAAZEEEEEEEEEN!

Enorme victoria del Athletic sobre el @realmadrid en un auténtico partidazo en San Mamés.

👏 ZORIONAK, MUTILAK! #AthleticRealMadrid #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/uOq8lnB1lo

— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) December 4, 2024

The match against Athletic Bilbao has been a rollercoaster ride for Los Blancos, as Kylian Mbappe's early goal was ruled out for offside in the 12th minute. Both teams failed to produce any goal in the first half. Alejandro Remiro scored in the 53rd minute to hand Bilbao the lead. 15 minutes later, Kylian Mbappe took the penalty in search of the equalizer but Julen Agirrezabala came out on top to deny his strike. Jude Bellingham found the equalizer in the 78th minute of the game, but all their efforts remained unfruitful as Gorka Guruzeta scored the winning goal for Bilbao, only two minutes after Bellingham found the net. 

Real Madrid have already faced 5 defeats across all competitions this season, compared to their two defeats in the whole 2023-24 season. Athletic Bilbao has also found the winning ways against Real Madrid since March of 2015. 

Mbappe's woes continue

What should have been a dream take-off, turned into a dreadful dream for Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar has struggled to find his form for the Los Blancos. Although he has scored 10 goals in 20 games across all competitions, it does not equal or surpass the calibre he once provided in PSG and France shirts. 

This penalty miss against Athletic is Mbappe's second missed penalty in his Real Madrid career, while the first one came last week against Liverpool in Madrid's Champions League outing. On the other hand, Mbappe found the in the 12th minute but the flag was up for offside. Mbappe has been caught offside 22 times so far this season including last night!

However, these lackluster and inconsistent performances from Kylian Mbappe since the start of this season have taken a toll on his mental health. According to L'Equipe's reports in November 2024, Kylian Mbappe has been dealing with a psychological problem and emotionally devastated. Antoine Simonneau, a correspondent for 'L'Equipe' in Madrid, revealed to Carrusel Deportivo that Mbappe is the focus of many people’s anger in France. 

Mbappe also faced an unpleasant experience while dealing with France's national team coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps dropped Mbappe from France's squad for their UEFA Nations League clashes against Israel and Italy in November due to his poor form. 

However, Mbappe has issued a message via his Instagram story and offered hope for the fans. He said:

"Bad result. A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take FULL responsibility for it. A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show WHO I AM”.

Ancelotti backs Mbappe

Real Madrid gaffer Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his confidence in Mbappe. However, he admitted that the French superstar has yet to showcase his utmost potential. 

"He is at a lot more than just 1% (of his potential), but he's not at his best," Ancelotti told a press conference.

"However, we have to give him time to adapt (to Real Madrid). He has scored 10 goals and is working hard to improve and to do better.

"I haven't spoken to him yet. It was a complicated, even, hard-fought, competitive game. We missed a penalty... I don't evaluate a player's game because of a missed penalty... sometimes you score and sometimes you miss. Obviously, he's sad, disappointed, but we have to keep going."

via The Business Standard