Atalanta is among the teams I'm tipping to win the champions league this season if it misses Liverpool and Barcelona. Like you said, Atalanta is in their best form, even better than last season when they disgraced Bayern Leverkusen in the Europa League final. I see danger for Real Madrid because they need to win that match to remain in the round of 16 automatic qualification because PSG is seriously following them. Using the performance Madrid, I will bet Atalanta to win that match
That's too far for me.
Although I do recognise that up until now after some early season drama Atalanta have been one of the dark horses for the Champions League and domestic Serie A. But to say Atalanta are one of the candidates for the championship I think is going too far.
The Champions League is not the Europa League where every surprise can always happen especially when talking about the club lifting the trophy, although currently Atalanta appear solid but in the end the Champions League especially to become a champion is not an easy thing for a club that still has limitations in terms of players and experience so even though Atalanta are currently impressive and most likely they will be able to qualify for the next round but when talking about champions and Atalanta being a candidate I think it's too far away.