Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: 5 key matchups

Real Madrid host their city rivals in what is sure to be a heated clash. Here are five matchups that could have a huge bearing on the result.

The first major clash of the Liga season sees Atletico Madrid travel across town to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, hoping to overtake their city rivals in the table. The fixture has a storied history, and in recent times has offered an intriguing clash of styles. Real have a major financial (and less major talent) advantage, but Diego Simeone has certainly found ways to negate that advantage in his seven years in charge.

After Real’s shock loss to Sevilla on Wednesday, Atletico pulled within two points of their rivals (and first-place Barcelona) and after a slow start are beginning to look like legitimate title contenders. Real, meanwhile, will be desperate to atone for their Super Cup loss in August, and for finishing behind Atleti last season. So much for the stakes. These are the matchups that are likely to decide the result.

Antoine Griezmann vs. Casemiro

This has been a key matchup every time these teams have played over the past few seasons, and it will be significant again on Saturday. Julen Lopetegui has used a variety of different lineups this year, not all of which have included Casemiro, but the Brazilian should start this weekend. His ability to break up opposition attacks will be vital against a counter-attack as strong as Atletico’s. His involvement might make Real slightly worse in possession, but he ensures balance in the midfield, and provides much-needed cover for Dani Carvajal and, in particular, Marcelo.

Antonie Griezmann is pivotal to Atletico’s attacking play. He acts as the conduit through which they counter or hold onto possession, depending on the scenario. His decision-making is key in determining how they react to in-game situations.

Casemiro’s main task will be to cut service to him and harass him whenever he has possession, which will sometimes mean tactical fouls. Griezmann is also one of Atletico’s biggest threats in the final third, capable of creating chances for himself and teammates with his quick footwork, vision and shooting.

Real Madrid’s attacking set-up means there will be gaps to exploit, and space in behind their high defensive line, but Griezmann will have to be efficient with his touches and passing if he’s to evade Casemiro’s attempts to shut him down.

Sergio Ramos vs. Diego Costa

These two take their individual battle to the next level whenever they face each other, playing on the very edge of the rules. Costa bullied Ramos in the Super Cup, scoring twice in the win. His sheer tenacity, work rate, physical strength and innovation in the final third was on display for both those goals, as well as in the build-up to the fourth.

That match showed how decisive Costa can be when he’s in top form. He’s a player who excels even with limited service. Los Blancos can’t afford to give him space in the penalty box.

Ramos, for better or worse, will relish the challenge of nullifying Costa. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see either of these sent off, especially now that VAR has been introduced in La Liga. If Ramos can get the better of Costa, he will go a long way toward shutting down Atleti’s attack, who would become over-reliant on Griezmann to move them up the field.

Costa can have just as big an impact on Real’s build-up play, though, because of how involved the center-backs are in circulating possession. Ramos is adept at passing through tight windows to find players in space. If Costa can pressure him and Raphael Varane effectively, Real’s buildup from the back, such a crucial part of their style under Lopetegui, will be stunted.

Juanfran and Koke vs. Marco Asensio and Marcelo

The clash of styles these teams represent will be most obvious down Atletico’s right/Real’s left. Koke, a central midfielder playing wide, helps solidify Atletico’s defensive structure by pushing the play wide and helping initiate his team’s press.

His attacking output shouldn’t be overlooked either. He’s averaged 60.2 passes per game this season, the most on his team, and 1.8 key passes, second behind Griezmann, per WhoScored. That sort of versatility is essential to Simeone’s team. In this match, Koke’s main task will be to shut down Marcelo (there’s a chance Simeone starts Thomas to play this particular role, though that would be a very defensive approach).

Marcelo is one of Real’s best attacking outlets, and he’ll likely combine with Marco Asensio, starting in place of the injured Isco. They combine well in tight space, which drags defenders to their side of the pitch and leaves more space for, among others, Gareth Bale, on the opposite flank.

Koke, then, is likely to have a busy game. He’ll need to track back diligently to ensure Real don’t have an overload situation. He’ll be working in tandem with Juanfran, a vastly experienced full-back whose intelligence more than makes up for his declining physical ability. He was rested against Huesca, probably in order to save him for this clash.

Nevertheless, he’ll still have a tough task on his hands in shutting down Asensio, who may be less technically gifted than Isco, but is more adept at driving at players with the ball at his feet, and has a deadly shot when given the space.

Luka Modric vs. Saul Niguez

Modric and Saul are the beating hears of their teams, contributing in all phases and setting the tempo in possession. Lopetegui has rotated effectively so far this season, meaning Modric should be well rested for this match. Saul, in contrast, has played full minutes in every game aside from the one against Huesca.

It’s early in the season but this could still have an effect near the end of the match due to Atletico’s energy-sapping style as well as Real’s ability to retain possession. Playing against tired midfielders makes it easier for Real to keep up sustained pressure.

The Croatian midfielder is the glue that holds the team together, linking up with the forwards, breaking up opposition attacks and driving his team up the pitch from deep through his dribbling and passing. He has a large area of influence on the pitch, much like Saul. The 23-year-old has more of a rigid role due to Simeone’s defensive style, but he contributes heavily in all phases of play.

This match should follow a similar pattern to the Super Cup in that Los Blancos will dominate territory and possession, so Atleti will look to transition quickly with occasional periods of sustained pressure.

Saul’s main work will be defensive — cutting out passing lanes and shutting down attacks by forming cul-de-sacs with his teammates in central areas or shifting play out wide. However, he’ll also be tasked with joining quick transitions as a supporting runner for cutbacks as well as a late aerial threat. His goal against Croatia in the Nations League was a great example of this.

Diego Simeone vs. Julen Lopetegui

Simeone and Lopetegui face each other for the first time in the Super Cup. Simeone came away with the win, his first in a European tie against Real Madrid. It was a bad way for Lopetegui to start his tenure at the club, but Real Madrid’s form recovered with an impressive five wins out of six. Real’s recent 3-0 loss to Sevilla was worrying, though. A strong response is needed.

Simeone player has had plenty of success against various Real managers over the years, especially in the league. Lopetegui offers something completely different to his predecessors. He’s in the process of implementing a bold, possession-based attacking philosophy which follows the principles of positional play. It’s remarkably similar to the style of play Barcelona have become famous for over the last few decades.

Lopetegui showed during his time in charge of the Spanish national team that he’s a shrewd tactician, using a number of innovative systems to bring the best out of the remarkable talent at his disposal. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to lead them at the World Cup due to the fallout over his decision to become Real Madrid manager post-tournament and the lack of respect that was shown to the RFEF.

This is Lopetegui’s biggest test in the league so far. A second consecutive loss to Atletico (and a second consecutive loss in the league) would ramp up the pressure on him even though he has only been in the job a few months. His style has been pleasing to watch, although that won’t matter one bit if it doesn’t bring the necessary results.

Simeone has the advantage in that the majority of his side has fully adapted to his methods, with summer signings such as Thomas Lemar starting to settle in. Real, as ever, have the advantage in terms of individual quality.