Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Atalanta is certainly a cause for celebration.
However, there is one important factor that has emerged from the match: Lucas Vazquez, the team’s only natural right-back, will be unavailable for the next UEFA Champions League game against RB Salzburg due to suspension.
Vazquez, who had already been at risk of suspension alongside three other players, was booked in his confrontation with an Atalanta player.
As a result, he will miss the upcoming clash with Salzburg, which will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 22.
Salzburg, who have had a challenging Champions League campaign with only one win in six matches, will be eager to improve, especially after their defeat to PSG.
The match against Atalanta was a tough one for Vazquez, who found himself up against one of the most difficult opponents he could face – Ademola Lookman.
The Atalanta winger was full of energy and determined to make an impact from the very first minute. Vazquez, despite his experience, struggled at times to keep pace with Lookman’s pace and trickery.
He tried to anticipate his movements and hold him off, but Lookman’s skill often outsmarted him.
As the match progressed, Vazquez managed to settle and reduce the damage, with some support from his teammates Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos.
However, Lookman proved difficult to contain, and in the second half, he found the back of the net.
With a brilliant piece of skill, Lookman dribbled past Vazquez and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the near post, the ball going through Vazquez’s legs.
With Vazquez now suspended, it seems likely that Real Madrid will turn to Federico Valverde to fill in as right-back against Salzburg.