Real Madrid, the 13 times record Champions League winner, barely managed to grab an away victory against the Italian side, Atalanta, who got reduced to 10 men in the 17th minute when Remo Freuler got sent off for denying Mendy a clear goalscoring opportunity.
On a good day, such an early advantage should help Zinedine Zidane’s go rampant on their opponent. Still, the Spanish giants were without several key first-team players through injury, including captain Sergio Ramos, strikers Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard and defender, Dani Carvajal and their absence was quite evident throughout the game.
The hosts, however, held their own to ensure a goalless first half.
Though they weren’t the best side of the night, Atalanta looked like they were set to run away with a point after Real had missed a couple of great chances, but all that hope went crashing down in the 85th minute when
Ferland Mendy came to the rescue giving the visitors a much-needed victory to mark their 100th Champions League knockout game.
Despite the defeat, there’s still a lot to play for when both sides meet again on the 16th of March for the return leg.
