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5 reasons why Real Madrid will beat Atletico Madrid to keep unbeaten run

By Atharva Khadilkar

Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone greets Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane before the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 28, 2019. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone greets Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane before the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 28, 2019. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images) /
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ZARAGOZA, SPAIN – JANUARY 29: (L-R) Miguel Linares of Real Zaragoza, Federico Valverde of Real Madrid during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Zaragoza v Real Madrid at the La Romareda on January 29, 2020 in Zaragoza Spain (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen,/Soccrates/Getty Images)
ZARAGOZA, SPAIN – JANUARY 29: (L-R) Miguel Linares of Real Zaragoza, Federico Valverde of Real Madrid during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Zaragoza v Real Madrid at the La Romareda on January 29, 2020 in Zaragoza Spain (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen,/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Federico Valverde’s indispensability will be tested again

Real Madrid have a player in their roster which this Atletico Madrid side desperately misses- a box-to-box midfielder. Federico Valverde is an almost guaranteed starter for the current Whites’ side and will be in the initial eleven versus Atletico Madrid as well. Having rested against Zaragoza, the Uruguayan will be raring to go in this one.

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Whilst all eyes will be on how he squares off versus Alvaro Morata after that infamous tackle in Saudi Arabia, the 22 year old’s challenge will be to contribute in both boxes with his work-rate. That being said, how he takes the ball forward and links with Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Isco will determine how well the Merengues do in the final third.

Isco’s rejuvenation would be crucial in the final-third

One of Zinedine Zidane’s most expert skills is to get the best out of players who seem to have been crossing their best. Marcelo’s attacking characteristics, Toni Kroos, Lucas Vazquez and Isco are all examples of this. The hosts will be without Gareth Bale, Rodrygo and Eden Hazard on Saturday, meaning that Isco may start in his preferred free-roaming role.

Along with Valverde, the Spain international was rested against Zaragoza as well, so how he penetrates the opponent’s defence and plays balls in between the lines to full-backs and wingers, as well as Karim Benzema down the middle could be crucial in determining which way the match goes. Given how well Isco has been playing lately, a lot of good can be expected.

dark. Next. Predicted the Real Madrid XI to host Atletico Madrid

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