These top teams are already under pressure in the Champions League

The first few months of this season were disappointing for Real Madrid. The often criticized performances have not had any major impact in the championship so far. In terms of lost points, the Spanish champions are even ahead of the leader FC Barcelona. In the Champions League, however, coach Carlo Ancelotti’s star ensemble lags miles behind expectations in terms of results.

Only two points separate Real Madrid from a place outside the top 24, which will qualify for the knockout rounds. The lack of form has to do with bad luck with injuries. A top-class sextet was missing at the weekend with Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militão, Rodrygo, David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga.

Kylian Mbappé is often cited as the main reason for the slow first part of the season. Even after 21 games for the Madrid club, the French striker still often seems like a foreign body, and the eleven goals are a disappointing result for a goalgetter of his class.

Atalanta’s soaring

A lot has come together for Mbappé in the last few months in order to keep the focus entirely on scoring goals.

In Sweden, investigations are underway into allegations of rape against him, he is in a dispute with his former club Paris Saint-Germain over an amount worth millions, and in France, two skipped national team meetings have left a bitter aftertaste. The fact that he recently failed twice from the penalty point fits into the picture.

A Mbappé who is more like the one who led France to the World Cup final twice would suit Real Madrid. On Tuesday, one of the most difficult tasks awaits the record winner of the Champions League: a guest appearance at Atalanta Bergamo. The Serie A leader, who dispatched the Young Boys 6-1 in the previous round, is aiming for their tenth win in a row.

Immediately behind Real Madrid is Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions have only picked up one point since their opening win against Girona and have also recently weakened in the domestic championship with two draws in a row. In Salzburg, three points are mandatory for the team, otherwise Luis Enrique’s coaching chair will soon be shaken.

The situation is almost hopeless for RB Leipzig. Before the home game against Aston Villa, Marco Rose’s team is still without points.

Xhaka welcomes summer

Things are looking better for the two Bundesliga rivals in action on Tuesday: Bayern Munich can aim for the top 8 in Gelsenkirchen against Shakhtar Donetsk, in which Leverkusen currently finds itself with Granit Xhaka. On Tuesday evening, Xhaka will be reunited with his former Nati teammate Yann Sommer, who is visiting Leverkusen with Inter Milan.

Edimilson Fernandes with Brest (against Eindhoven) and Ardon Jashari with FC Brugge (against Sporting Lisbon) are the other Swiss who will be in action with their clubs on Tuesday. (riz/sda)