Federico Valverde admitted it is “tough” to see Real Madrid struggling in Europe — a situation they “aren’t used to” — as the Champions League holders prepare to face Atalanta on Tuesday.
Madrid are in 24th place in the league phase standings, the final qualifying spot for the playoff round, after a difficult start to the campaign which has included defeats to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool.
Those results have left the LaLiga giants with just six points from five Champions League games ahead of their last three league phase matches with Atalanta, Salzburg and Brest.
“It’s tough, obviously,” midfielder Valverde said in a news conference in Bergamo on Monday, when asked how it felt to see Madrid 24th in the 36-team table. “At this club we aren’t used to these moments, we’re used to being near the top, and being more…
