Introduction
The apertience is no longer weak, the master is in shambles. Today it’s one of the biggest games of La liga as Real Madrid take on league leaders Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s high flying Atletico isn’t gonna play second fiddle this season and they have made a significant lead at the top of the table. Real Madrid, The Big brother of Madrid on the other hand are struggling.
Zinedine Zidane’s men clawed their way back from the brink of Champions League elimination in midweek, as two goals from the irrepressible Karim Benzema helped them overcome Borussia Moenchengladbach in a must-win game. Ateltico Madrid too qualified for the next round in Europe after defeating Salzburg 2-0. But it’s in the league where Simeone’s men have impressed most, they are undefeated and have conceded the last number of goals.
Form
Real Madrid form guide in La Liga: W-L-D-L-W
Atletico Madrid form guide in La Liga: W-W-W-W-W
Team News
Real Madrid were graced with the return of their captain Sergio Ramos as they defeated Monchengladbach mid week. Fede Valverde is back from Injury and that provides a much needed boost for the Los Blancos. Hazard and Odegaard are still out injured.
Meanwhile, Atletico will be without Uruguayan centre-back Jose Gimenez, veteran striker Diego Costa and young left-back Manu Sanchez, who are all nursing injuries.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Predicted XI
Real Madrid Predicted XI (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior
Atletico Madrid Predicted XI (4-4-2): Jan Oblak, Kieran Trippier, Stefan Savic, Felipe, Renan Lodi, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Saul, Carrasco
Luis Suarez, Joao Felix
Players to watch out for
Karim Benzema
Benzema was on song as he scored twice to guide Real Madrid to the round of 16. He still is the most potent goal scoring threat for the whites. With Atletico playing the deep block, it’ll be interesting to see how Benzema mangages to find spaces for him and for the other attackers.
Luka Modric
The 35 year old has played 7 games without rest on a trot and it’s quite astonishing as to how he has been performing. He was the best player on pitch in the UCL clash with Monchengladbach and even at his age he is pulling the strings for Real. It’ll be fun to see how he performs against the tenacious Ateltico side
Joao Felix
Felix has been almost rejuvenated this season as he has helped Atletico to remain at the top of the table with his goal involvements and other aspects. The last time he was up against Ramos and co, they shut him down quite easily. It won’t be that easy this time around.
Marcos Llorente
He has been revamped by Diego Simeone, from a defensive midfielder to almost a number 10. It’ll be interesting to see how he plays against his former club. Can he make Real regret the decision of letting him go?
Our Prediction
We say: Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid
We think Real Madrid might edge out Atletico this time as well. Ramos is back in the team and that makes Real ever more solid and while a point apiece would not be the worst result for either side, it might be Zidane’s men who will take the early lead and secure the win.
Conclusion
Real Madrid have not been at their best this season with question on Zidane’s job as well, while Atletico are having the season of their life. This is a very crucial match which will determine the fate of the La Liga trophy.
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First line of the blog is supposed to be apprentice* I suppose