Real can breathe easier after crucial victory

BERGAMO - Carlo Ancelotti hopes that Real Madrid's win over Atalanta will help his team push for a top-eight finish in the Champions League and, with it, a direct passage into the last 16.

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The reigning European champions came through a tough battle on Dec 10 in Bergamo to beat Serie A leaders Atalanta 3-2, with goals from Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, and get their title defence back on track.

Real are now three points from the top-eight positions - ahead of a round of fixtures on Dec 11 - with matches against RB Salzburg and Brest remaining in their league-phase campaign.

"I don't know if we can get into top eight, but the goal is obvious - we need to win both the matches that we have left," Ancelotti told reporters at Stadio di Bergamo.

"This win will give us a lot, it's a great win because it was based on quality play and hard work.

"It's given us some breathing room... Let's hope we have more players available (in January), but we're more relaxed about it after today, absolutely."