The remarkable European journey played so far by Atalanta in the Champions League in the year following the conquest of the Europa League comes at the last stage of the first phase with some good news and a hope: the first is that the Goddess has already qualified for the next round, the hope is that this round will be that of the direct Round of 16. To be sure of finishing among the top eight, Atalanta will have to win at the home of one of the totems of European football and one of the best teams, now, in Europe: Barcelona. Unfortunately for Atalanta and all the opponents encountered by the Catalans on their journey (Monaco aside), Barça is giving its best right in Europe where victories full of goals and spectacle but also goals conceded are following one another and it is here that Gasperini's boys will have to hope to find the path that can lead to success. Atalanta's offensive potential has recently been enhanced by a super Mateo Retegui who has returned to scoring regularly after his recent injury, but on the other side, if Flick doesn't rotate, there will be the trident of Yamal, Lewandowski, Rapinha that only a Goddess in Super version could stop. Certainly the performance is within the capabilities of Atalanta who will play a match to remember, a match that, in any case, will not be the last of this Champions League 2024/2025 which for the Goddess, as well as for Juventus,Inter and Milan certainly continues after the first phase.

Barcelona's shape and main statistics

The last match played by Barcelona and won 7-1 against Valencia can be a discreet signal of the Catalans' desire for redemption which, however, can only be achieved concretely in La Liga, where the team is third, seven points behind Real Madrid.

In the Champions League, however, the results are excellent: Barcelona is second, already qualified and has won the last 6 matches played. The impressive data in this ride is certainly the number of goals scored: 26 in 7 matches: an incredible average of 3.71 goals per match which, however, must also be contrasted with the average of goals conceded, 1.57 per match.

In all competitions, Barcelona is unbeaten in 7 matches but, at home, the Catalans have already lost 3 times this season (always in La Liga).

Atalanta's shape and main statistics

The two victories against Sturm Graz in the Champions League and Como in the championship, seem to distance the dull period that was appearing on Atalanta who instead restarts and faces this match from an excellent seventh position in the Champions League standings, the result of 4 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.

Away from Bergamo, Atalanta, however, has been on a good positive streak for some time (12 games in a row without losing) and, right away from home, Atalanta is, together with Liverpool, the only team that has won all its away matches in the Champions League where, the best scorers are, with 4 goals, Lookman and De Ketelaere.

Speaking of goals, Atalanta has the second best attack in the entire Champions League with 18 goals scored, second only to that of Barcelona while on the goals conceded, Gasperini's team "wins" having conceded only 4 goals so far in the competition.

Match Prediction and Tactical Overview

Barcelona is already mathematically qualified for the Round of 16 and this fact could enhance the somewhat unscrupulous or at least offensive conduct of the Catalans which, in reality, should be added to that of Atalanta. This is because, with reasonable probability, to enter the top eight, the draw would not be useful to the Nerazzurri who therefore, will seek victory. The consequence that we draw from this is that of a match more easily rich in goals: the BetMines algorithm prediction suggests a match with more than 2 total goals.

• The BetMines algorithm prediction for the Barcelona – Atalanta match predicts an Over 2.5 goals at 61%
• The BetMines algorithm prediction for the Barcelona – Atalanta match predicts an Under 2.5 goals at 39%

Barcelona – Atalanta predicted lineups

Barcelona (4-3-3): Szczesny; Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Gavi, Casado, Lopez; Yamal, Lewandowski, Rapinha. All: Flick.

Atalanta (3-4-3): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Retegui, Lookman. All: Gasperini.