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Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid : Five things to watch for

By Vijay Vemu

LA CORUNA, SPAIN - MAY 14: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring goal during the La Liga match between RC Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid CF at Riazor Stadium on May 14, 2016 in La Coruna, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
LA CORUNA, SPAIN - MAY 14: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring goal during the La Liga match between RC Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid CF at Riazor Stadium on May 14, 2016 in La Coruna, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 27: Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid takes on Juan Bernat, Thiago Alcantara and Xabi Alonso of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Bayern Muenchen at Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 27: Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid takes on Juan Bernat, Thiago Alcantara and Xabi Alonso of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Bayern Muenchen at Vincente Calderon on April 27, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

4. Saul vs. Toni Kroos

The Champions League always has a big breakout star in each tournament and this year the award goes to Atletico’s Saul Niguez. The midfielder has been spectacular for Atleti and even scored the game-winning goal in the first leg against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. He took on and beat a flurry of Bayern defenders and curled a shot past Manuel Neuer for a key goal that helped propel Atletico against the German giant.

He also stepped up in the second leg as he essentially played as a third centre-back when Atletico parked the bus after Antonie Griezmann’s key away goal. Saul may be young but he has proven to be a bright spot in the midfield and has filled in for the injured Thiago and Arda Turan, who left for FC Barcelona this summer. His play has even made him a transfer target for some big clubs.

He will likely sit in front of the backline and help control play, helping out in attack from time to time. Toni Kroos will also be in the similar role for Real Madrid. The German midfielder probably touches the ball the most out of any Real Madrid player and every play goes through him.  It will be a good battle to see who can help their team the most in the midfield.

Next: 3. Atletico Counterattack

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