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#3 Should Casemiro have been sent off for simulation?
Casemiro's customary yellow card for a cynical challenge on Duvan Zapata in the 23rd minute means that Real Madrid will be without their midfield lynchpin for the second leg.
However, the Brazil international should arguably not have seen out the game. He had been guilty of simulation midway through the second half after coming together with Rafael Toloi.
His compatriot had barely touched him, but the Real Madrid number 14 threw himself on the ground and rolled around on the floor seeking a penalty.
Committing such acts in this age of VAR is extremely risky, and Casemiro had all the facial expressions of a naughty child who had been caught with his hands in the cookie jar.
The former Porto man was practically pleading with the referee not to show him his second yellow card for simulation, and the referee duly obliged with just a talk with the Real Madrid midfielder.
The Atalanta players were livid and rightly so, especially in light of the harsh red card shown to Freuler earlier in the game.
#2 Drab game fails to live up to expectations
Atalanta have arguably been the most exciting side in all of Europe for the last three seasons. However, they have dropped off in their intensity this term.
Real Madrid themselves have flattered to deceive and are now known more for their efficiency rather than the flair associated with them in the past.
The absence of several key attacking players has undoubtedly robbed the La Liga champions off their verve, but big things were still expected in this fixture.
It was believed that an exciting match full of goalmouth action was in store. However, both teams seemingly lined up with the intention of playing not to lose rather than trying to win.
Atalanta's early red card undoubtedly helped reduce their attacking impetus but on the overall balance of play, Gasperini's side simply did not do enough in an attacking aspect.
Rather shockingly, the hosts fashioned just two shots in the game, with none of those hitting the target. Real Madrid themselves failed to make their numerical advantage count and needed a moment of brilliance from an unlikely source to get ahead.
This was a game that promised so much but delivered so little and hopefully, the return leg will be a more enjoyable affair.
#1 Vinicius Junior's poor run of form continues
Vinicius Junior was handed a fifth consecutive start in all competitions for Real Madrid. However, he put in another sub-par performance.
The 20-year-old has been accused of stagnating in recent years and on the evidence of his display against Atalanta, those criticisms are justified.
Having been handed extra responsibility owing to several injuries to teammates, the former Flamengo man had a window of opportunity to make a mark on the biggest stage, but he fluffed his lines.
Vinicius failed to make the most of the spaces on the left of the Real Madrid attack, while his poor decision-making in the final third continuously came to the fore.
It came as no surprise that he was the first substitution made by Zidane, with Mariano coming on for him in only the 57th minute.
His blank here means that he has now gone 19 games in all competitions without finding the back of the net. At a club as demanding as Real Madrid, this is a poor return by all standards, and Vinicius Jr is running out of time to prove his worth to the club.
