Champions League: Real Madrid struggle past Atalanta

Madrid entered the game as the big favorite despite a slew of injuries, and Atalanta's chances diminished further when midfielder Remo Freuler was sent off.

Bergamo: Real Madrid struggled to break down 10-man Atalanta before Ferland Mendy netted an 86th-minute winner to give the Spanish giant a 1-0 win in the first leg of the round of 16 of Champions League.

Madrid entered the game as the big favorite despite a slew of injuries, and Atalanta’s chances diminished further when midfielder Remo Freuler was sent off in the 17th minute after being adjudged to have denied a scoring opportunity.

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“The match was ruined,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said. “I don’t know what the result would have been, we might have still lost, but it would have been a much different and better match.” Madrid missed players including forward Karim Benzema, midfielder Eden Hazard and captain Sergio Ramos.

In Budapest, midfield playmaker, Joao Cancelo set up goals for Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus in a 2-0 win for the Premier League leaders in a one-sided first leg in the last 16 against Borussia Monchengladbach, who certainly couldn’t handle the Portugal international.