5 important match-ups for Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

Karim Benzema vs Stefan Savic

Karim Benzema scored his first goal of 2020 and in six matches as he came on against Real Zaragoza from the bench.

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The Frenchman has scored only thrice against Atletico Madrid in La Liga throughout his career but he will be hoping to better that tally being Zidane’s only potent goal-scorer from the 19-man squad announced for the clash.

Benzema will need to get the better of Stefan Savic inside the box while being at the end of crosses and if he drops deeper to help in the build-up play as he always does, then he may look to drag one of Atletico’s central defenders out of position and create place for his teammates in the box in order to smash shots past Jan Oblak.

Ferland Mendy vs Kieran Trippier

Ferland Mendy seems to have convinced Zinedine Zidane of handing him a starting berth over Marcelo, so that could see Diego Simeone deploy his more attacking option of Kieran Trippier ahead of Sime Vrsaljko. How the full backs shape up against each other will talk a lot about which side gets the upper hand whilst attacking down the flank.

The former Lyon man is a defensive unit, so if he can keep the England international’s attacking threats at bay then it would be a massive favour to the Madrid forwards. While the battle between the two players will not be very fruitful for the outcome of the match, the way in which the attacking players use the ball will be vital when the full-backs are dragged out of position by each other.

Do you think Diego Costa’s absence will make it a decaffeinated match in terms of physicality?