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A fiercely contested derby is a sight to behold, and Saturday, the 18th of November, sees two of Madrid's biggest clubs go head to head in what is promising to be an intriguing battle between the two sides.
Real Madrid haven't been in the best form lately, and find themselves 3rd in the league on 23 points. They find themselves 8 points behind eternal rivals Barcelona, with losses to Real Betis and newly promoted Girona and draws against Valencia and Levante.
Atletico Madrid haven't fared very well this season either. Los Colchoneros are currently 4th in the table, and level on points with Real Madrid. Their goalscoring form has taken a hit in the past few weeks, and they have scored only 4 goals in the last 5 games.
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Real Madrid have historically dominated the fixture, but recent years have seen an upturn in Atletico's fortunes. Both sides have surprisingly struggled to break defences down this season, and need to regain some form before it is too late.
Saturday's derby is sure to be a well contested match, with several underperforming star players on either side out to prove a point. Let's have a look at 5 intriguing personal battles that are set to take place on the pitch come Saturday:
#5 Juanfran vs Marcelo
Often overlooked in a Real Madrid side filled with attacking talent, Marcelo is one of their most potent threats going forward. The left-back has a nearly telepathic relationship with Ronaldo and has set up several of his goals in the past. Marcelo hasn't been at his marauding best this season, and will need to up his game against Atletico Madrid.
The Brazilian will be up against former Real Madrid youth academy product, Juanfran. Juanfran has been an integral cog in Diego Simeone's defence, bailing the team out by thwarting danger on many an occasion. Juanfran has, as always, been a solid presence at the back for Atletico Madrid this season.
Juanfran is an apt match for Marcelo, who is beginning to find his feet against on the offensive side of the pitch after scoring a thunderous goal for Brazil during the international break.
Marcelo has had the better of the Spaniard in the past and will look to regain some form. Juanfran is no pushover, however, and Marcelo will not have the easiest of games against the experienced campaigner.
#4 Luka Modric vs Saul Niguez
Generally viewed as the machine that drives Real Madrid, Luka Modric has been one of the club's most important players in the past several seasons, and has played an instrumental role in all their successes, including their consecutive Champions League title victories.
The Croatian wizard is well known for his ability to exert his influence throughout the game, and is tenacious off the ball as well.
Modric will be up against a 22-year-old in-form Saul Niguez, who has often been considered the future of Spain's thriving midfield. Saul is an important part of Simeone's team, and has had several good matches playing in midfield for them this season.
The first half against Barcelona saw Saul trouble a formidable Barcelona midfield. He also scored an excellent goal against them, curling his shot past a diving Ter Stegen.
Modric and Saul may be at opposite ends of their careers, but while Saul's energy is seemingly inexhaustible, Modric more than makes up for it with his presence of mind. Derbies such as these don't always go the way of the team that controls the midfield, but a battle between these two technically gifted players is surely worth a watch.
#3 Gabi vs Isco
Unlike most of his other teammates, Isco has had an absolutely brilliant start to the season. The creative midfielder has been impeccable for his team, dribbling past opponents with consummate ease and creating chances seemingly at will. It is difficult to find a bad moment for Isco in the current season.
The 25-year-old has scored 4 goals and registered 3 assists in the league so far and has been the best player for Real Madrid by a considerable distance.
Dribbling past the Atletico Madrid captain Gabi, however, is no cakewalk. The veteran has earned a reputation as a stereotypical midfield destroyer, and while his methods may not be pleasing to the eye, it certainly does the job for the team.
He was quite effective against an in-form Lionel Messi, but has been lucky not to be sent off in a couple of matches this season.
Atletico Madrid are a defensively robust team, and Gabi often acts as the first line of defence, snuffing out attacks before they even begin. He will have to be additionally wary of Isco, however.
The prodigious Spaniard is known for his quick feet, and will draw several fouls from Gabi. Both these players have completely opposite playing styles, and this clash will, therefore, be one of the most interesting of the lot.
#2 Antoine Griezmann vs Sergio Ramos
Antoine Griezmann hasn't been in the best of form lately, and that has unfortunately proven why he is Atletico Madrid's main man. The side have struggled to find the back of the net without his inspired performances, and with their French superstar unable to scale the expectations he sets for himself, they seem clueless at times in the final third.
As we have seen many times before, Griezmann will come shoulder to shoulder with Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos on Saturday. Ramos hasn't been in the best defensive form either, and has made more than just a few defensive errors this season, most notably against Real Betis.
Griezmann must not be taken lightly, irrespective of the form he is in, and Ramos will certainly have his hands full during the match.
Griezmann was a threatening presence in the opening minutes against Barcelona, taking every opportunity to torment Gerard Pique. One would expect him to attempt the same against Pique's compatriot Ramos.
Real Madrid will be wary of the Frenchman's threat, but Ramos, when in form, is not easy to get past. Both players have a point to prove, and a face to face encounter will leave fans, as well as neutrals enthralled.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Diego Godin
To say that Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't had the best of seasons, so far, is an understatement. Real Madrid's most important player has missed more chances than he has created this season, and has an uncharacteristically dismal shot conversion percentage.
While it would be unfair to blame all of Real Madrid's failings this season on their talisman, Ronaldo has done himself no favours by bottling several simple and important chances this season.
If the Portuguese plays in his preferred centre-forward role, he is likely to come up against a feisty Diego Godin. As Messi could well testify, the aggressive Uruguayan simply doesn't give in, and is the heart and soul of the Atletico Madrid defence.
Made of a similar mould as Carles Puyol, Godin has proven that while positioning and technique are important, football is still a game of the heart.
At the end of the day, however, Godin is up against one of the two best players in the world. Ronaldo has several critics to prove wrong, and is his most dangerous when he is wounded.
Godin is the ideal match for Ronaldo, and will be at his best in what is a match of great significance. This battle is one of mind as well as soul, and should be the most intriguing of them all.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and they do not necessarily represent the views of Sportskeeda.
Stats updated up to 16/11/2017
