3 reasons why Atletico Madrid would defeat Real Madrid

#1 Managerial superiority

Diego Simeone is one of the most revered managers in the world

Real Madrid's most successful manager of the modern era in Zinedine Zidane left the club in ambiguous circumstances after guiding the club to an unprecedented third consecutive Champions League triumph last May.

For his replacement, Real went into secret talks with then Spain coach Julen Lopetegui and announced his appointment two days to the start of the World Cup, which led to the termination of his contract by the Spanish Football Federation.

Till date, Lopetegui has had an average managerial career, yet to win a major title as a coach, and his biggest club role coming when he led FC Porto for two trophyless seasons (despite being given the club's biggest transfer budget up until that point). He has not shown the tactical acumen required for a club the stature of Real Madrid.

His adversary this weekend, on the other hand, is one of the most tactically astute coaches on the planet. The transformation Atleti have undergone from being a fledgeling mid-table La Liga club to becoming one of the bonafide superpowers of European football in the seven years under Simeone has been truly exceptional.

The 48-year-old former Argentine international has guided the Rojiblancos to seven major title triumphs under his watch, including two Champions League runners-up medals, and has given the club an identity of being a hard nut to crack and the most defensively stable unit in Europe.

The difference in class between both managers is supremely evident and manifested itself in the UEFA Super Cup where Lopetegui was outwitted by Simeone's assistant German Burgos.

Epic clashes between two heavyweights such as this are sometimes too tight to be decided on the field, and it requires a stroke of genius from the bench to swing the game in a club's favour. And if it comes to that, Atleti undoubtedly have the upper hand.