The Colombian Luis Muriel arrives at the meeting this Wednesday against Real Madrid in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League in the best form of his career, following a record streak of nine consecutive goals from the starter and an outstanding performance this Sunday against the Naples.
The forward from Santo Tomás is the top gunner of the Atalanta with 14 goals in the A series Italian and overwhelmed Napoli with a great goal, an assist and a series of plays of technique, speed and pure power that represent a clear warning for him Madrid.
Containing his momentum, his change of pace and getting him as far away from the penalty area as possible will be an important key for the Frenchman's men Zinedine Zidane to stop one of the great game sources of Atalanta next to the Slovenian Josip Ilicic.
After having the lack of continuity as the only, important, limit, for much of his career, Muriel He has reached full maturity this year and has become one of the best strikers in Europe, powerful, complete and decisive in the important moments.
This Sunday at the Gewiss Stadum of Bergamo, broke the equality with the assist for his compatriot's 1-0 header Duvan Zapata and drove in the 2-0 goal with a tremendous dribble between three rivals in a three-quarter position.
He was successively in charge of making the 3-1 target, with a dribble to the defense of the Naples Amir Rrahmani and a left-footed shot from the squad that struck the goal Alex Meret.
It was his ninth consecutive goal from the starter, setting an absolute record for Atalanta in Serie A and improving on the previous mark held by Duvan Zapata.
“It was very important to win today (on Sunday), victory weighs a lot to qualify for 'Champions'and it's a push for Wednesday. We want to regain positions in Serie A, we gave everything and we deserved to win, “he said Muriel at the end of the game.
“I think if the Atalanta He plays as he did this Sunday, with this balance, it will also be very difficult for Madrid. We will try to compete well, we have a unique opportunity, “he added.
And it is that the goals of Muriel they are being decisive for the European ambitions of Atalanta, currently fourth in the standings.
Last week he signed another goal to give the team of Gasperini a 1-0 victory in the Cagliari field in the last gasp, breaking the defensive wall erected by the Uruguayan Diego Godin.
With Argentine Alejandro Gómez passed to Sevilla in the last winter market Muriel Y Shoe They are in charge of putting the goals for the team of Gasperini, which replaced the “Papu” with Matteo pessina, a midfielder with a more defensive vocation.
Duvan accumulates fourteen goals this campaign, among all competitions. He signed nine in Serie A, three in the Champions League and one in the Italian Cup, in which the Atalanta will play the final against Juventus.