Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Real Madrid will be hosting Atletico Madrid this Saturday in La Liga action just weeks after falling against their city rivals in the Spanish Super Cup. Both teams had wonderful battles last season as Atletico won the league while they lost in the Champions League Final against Saturday’s hosts.
The hosts have not commenced the as they would have hoped after losing their second game on the road against Real Sociedad by a score of 4-2, after they led 2-0 early on.
Atletico Madrid drew their first game before unconvincingly defeating Eibar 2-1 at home.
On Saturday, Real will look to avenge that Super Cup defeat by getting back on track domestically on home soil in front of their fans. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss the game, by new boy Javier Hernandez may get some playing time, perhaps being able to inspire his new club to a much-needed victory.
James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos will have to step up their game just a lot more as they will be relied on a lot in the match. They are two newest signings of the club, and they did not arrive cheap.
Rodriguez has been unable to put his mark on the team as he still searches for his first goal. He inspired Colombia through an astonishing run in the World Cup, but as the number 10 for Real, he has not done much.
Kroos plays in a holding role as he is responsible for containing possession and spreading the ball wide or straight up the field. He has a wicked shot from distance, but he enjoys playing in teammates instead as he is a true team player. He needs to be perfect against a disciplined Atletico side that will be ready for this game.
The defense has not been solid as they dropped a two-goal lead against a Real Sociedad side that exploited every hole on the ground and mid-air without breaking a sweat. Playing like that against a team with Mario Mandzukic and Diego Godin will be unacceptable.
Keys to winning this game for Real Madrid:
Switching back-and-forth between a 4-3-3 while building up and a 4-2-3-1 while defending and hitting on the counter. Atletico Madrid can defend for days on end, but Real are relentless when on top of their game at home.
Rodriguez needs to take every direct free kick as he can evade the wall and the keeper.
Kroos has to control the tempo in the heart of midfield as his vision is best from the central position.
Gareth Bale needs to use his speed on the right flank to burst forward to create for himself and others. He inspired Wales to a 2-1 win in Andorra and can definitely do the same at home with a club full of talent.
Sergio Ramos and Pepe (or Rafael Varane) have to be solid as the center backs by timing their challenges and reading what the opposing offense will look to bring towards their area. They will be vital to keeping the scoring as low as possible.
If Atletico Madrid finds an early goal and their defense can hold firm, Real Madrid will panic late on in teh game if they have not scored and can be even more susceptible at the back.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid