Crucial derby clash at the top of La Liga could have serious repercussions on the Spanish title race.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid go head to head this weekend in a derby that promises to be as feisty as it is important to the standings in La Liga…
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Whilst Real have won 17 of their last 18 matches in La Liga, Atletico have failed to win just once in their last 31 league matches at the Vicente Claderon.
And Real have failed to beat their fierce rivals in the last five Madrid derbies, losing in the reverse fixture in February before being knocked out of the Copa del Rey last month.
It’s set to be a quite titanic bout and here are five battles that could prove decisive.
Raphael Varane v Mario Mandzukic
With Ramos out injured for an extended period, the spotlight now turns to Varane to step up in his stead.
The Frenchman has been almost a constant in the Real backline this season but will have to be at his intelligent best to handle the power of Mandzukic.
Whilst Varane excells with defending in the air, he’ll come against a whole other kind of beast in the big Croat with around a third of his goals in La Liga so far scored with his head.
Antoine Griezmann v Sami Khedira
Just two starts for Khedira this term but he may be called on to fill a role in the middle as Real struggle with a number of injuries.
He’ll come up against a man bang in form with the French forward having scored 14 goals in all competitions this season. Khedira will have to get a hand on the tricky 23 year old whose goals in August won Atletico the Supercopa over Real. He also provided two assists in a recent 2-2 draw at the Bernebeu that knocked Real out of the Copa del Rey.
Toni Kroos v Tiago
The battle in the middle could define which side is able to take a hold of this match.
Kroos has been the metronome of the his side but disrupt his passing and you can disrupt Real’s rhythm. If Tiago can frustrate and harangue the German and use his strengths to block and intercept to great effect, he could frustrate Real’s attack.
Cristiano Ronaldo v Diego Godin
His quite incredible 34 goals this season haven’t yet been able to help Real to any success over their derby rivals this season with all coming in draws or defeats for Los Blancos.
It seems Atletico know how to handle the three time Balon d’Or winner and Godin is a key component of that rebuff.
His ability to clear the ball under pressure and concentration make him an ideal counterpoint to Ronaldo’s direct, dribbling style and it will be fascinating to see if the Portuguese has managed to find a way past the Uruguayan.
Gareth Bale v Siqueira
Bale will want a performance to put him back in the good books of the Bernabeu faithful and another goal against the ultras most hated rivals could see him go from zero to hero.
But he will have to contend with the marauding Siqueira who isn’t afraid to dribble up the wing and force his opponents back due to his dangerous crossing.
The Welshman may have to invoke some of his former skills as a left back to ensure none of the Brazilian’s crosses reach the likes of Mandzukic upfront.
All statistics from WhoScored unless stated otherwise.