Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid - Combined XI

Over the last decade or so, the Madrid derby was a pretty one-sided affair. They were matches which ended in a win for Real Madrid, irrespective of the kind of form that Atletico Madrid were in. But the arrival of Diego Simeone has changed all of that and has transformed Atletico into a side that challenges their city rivals for honours; both domestic and abroad.Atletico and Real come into the Round of 16 clash on Thursday knowing that a win will put them one step closer to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. With both sides packed with star-studded players, what would a combined XI of the two look like?Here is how a combined XI from the two sides will look on current form.Formation: 4-4-2

#1 Goalkeeper: Miguel Angel Moya

The loss of Thibaut Courtois was always going to be a big problem for Atletico, but the fact their big summer signing, Jan Oblak hasn't played a single game so far is even more surprising. Simeone's decision to play the experienced Moya, who only came to the club along with Oblak, has so far paid dividends.

The Spaniard has made some crucial saves and has a proven to be a formidable final line of defence and the 30-year-old will need to be on his game on Thursday if his side are to emerge with an advantage going into the second leg.

Although Iker Casillas is Real's No.1, the Spaniard still looks a shadow of his former self and the hosts will be looking to capitalise on that and put pressure on the 33-year-old.

#2 Right Back: Dani Carvajal

Arguably the most difficult pick of the XI is the right back slot. In Dani Carvajal and Juanfran, both sides have the two best right backs in La Liga and picking one among the two is harder than you might think.

But Carvajal just gets the nod because of what he offers while going forward. While many full backs can rampage forward, very few have the defensive awareness to pick and choose the forays forward and the 22-year-old does thatperfectly.

Carvajal's ability to sniff out danger at the back was crucial to Real's 22-game winning run. And not only can he do that, his ability to time his forward runs so as to maximise the chances of creating is something that Real will be hoping to use to great effect against Atletico.

#3 Centre Back: Sergio Ramos

Love him or hate him, you simply cannot deny that there isn't a better attacker of a football than Sergio Ramos. While some shy away from the pantomime villain status, the Spanish centre half almost seems to relish it.

His partnership with Pepe at the heart of the Real defence might not be for everyone, but it is something that works. In their 22-game winning run, they conceded just 10 goals and one of the major reasons for that was Ramos' ability to attack the aerial balls, not just in the opposition box, but also his own as well.

Atletico will need to mark him tightly or else he could do what he did in the Champions League final, score and break Atletico hearts.

#4 Centre Back: Diego Godin

One of the reasons why Atletico Madrid have the second-best defensive record in La Liga and are so difficult to break down is because of their inspirational skipper and defensive bedrock – Diego Godin. If there ever was a defender who lead by example, by not just making crucial tackles and interceptions, but also scoring pivotal goals in the most important games, then you will find it difficult to find someone better than the 28-year-old Uruguayan centre back.

Although he isn't the quickest, he more than makes up for it with his understanding of the game and his ability to marshal his troops. While Real have been scoring goals for fun, with Godin at the helm, it certainly won't be easy for them to keep their incredible scoring run going.

#5 Left Back: Marcelo

Last season, Atletico had the League's best left back in Fillipe Luis, who combined an attacking threat going forward with a discipline that isn't common among modern full backs. Although two left backs have taken his place, both Cristian Ansaldi and Guillherme Siqueira have struggled to fill in his boots and that is why the left back slot goes to Marcelo.

The Brazilian full back has continued the legacy of the buccaneering Brazilian full backs. With Ronaldo in front of him, looking to cut inside all the time, the 26-year-old has provided his side with some much-needed width on the left flank, where he has well and truly overtaken Fabio Coentrao as the side's premier left back.

#6 Central Midfield: Gabi

In central midfield is Atletico's 31-year-old Spanish midfielder Gabi. For anyone who is simply obsessed with stats, this might seem like a curious selection as he hasn't scored a goal this season and only has 5 assists to his name.

But the truth is that the work he does in the centre of the park is crucial towards building a solid platform for the attack. Gabi's aggression, ability to concentrate on what is around him and time his tackles perfectly often goes unnoticed, but those are exactly the sort of things that has made Atletico so lethal under the stewardship of Simeone.

And in Gabi, the manager has a midfield general, who can attack, defend and also lead his side when the situation demands it.

#7 Central Midfield: Toni Kroos

Although Toni Kroos cost Real Madrid £24 million in the summer, Los Blancos knew what they were getting in the form of the World Cup winning central midfielder. And the German has already shown just why he might be a bargain, even though he cost the club around £20 million.

The 25-year-old is second behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the assists chart and of all the players to have started at least 3 games, nobody has a better pass accuracy than Kroos. Not only has he been passing the ball well, he has showcased his versatility by undertaking the role of a defensive midfielder, deep-lying playmaker and a box-to-box midfielder already this season. And he has excelled in each of those roles.

His ability on the ball and eye for a pass is second to none and there is no wonder why some are calling him the best central midfielder in Europe at the moment.

#8 Right Midfield: Antoine Griezmann

When Antoine Griezmann made his €30 million move from Real Sociedad to Atletico Madrid, there were some who questioned if the Frenchman could fit into Simeone's style of play. He has the work rate that the manager demands from all his players and, in a matter of few months, the 23-year-old has put all those rumours to rest.

With 8 goals already this season, he is the side's top goal scorer and has provided the side with a versatility that they didn't have last season. Whether it is playing on the left, right or through the middle, Griezmann has shown that he has what it takes to succeed at Atletico and that is why, on current form, he pips Gareth Bale to a spot on the right wing.

#9 Left Midfield: Koke

They say wingers need pace to succeed. They say wingers need to have the ability to beat their man to be regarded as a success. But Koke is redefining all of that as he continues to thrive, operating as what is essentially a left winger.

Although he is neither particularly quick or a great dribbler of the ball, thanks to his vision and ability to pick out a teammate, Koke has quickly made a name for himself and has risen through the ranks in the international level. The 22-year-old leads La Liga in assists and although he has scored just a single league goal, his set-piece delivery and technical ability means that he takes his place on the left wing.

#10 Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo

What can be said about Cristiano Ronaldo that hasn't been said already? The 29-year-old has made goal scoring look routine that now it is a surprise if you don't see his name on the scoresheet at the end of each game.

Not only is he the La Liga’s leading goalscorer with 26 goals, he is also the leading creator in the league with 8 assists. One of his biggest flaws early on was his unwillingness to pass the ball to his teammates and now that he has corrected that as well, the Portuguese forward is one of those once in a lifetime players who have no flaws in their game.

If he keeps up his scoring rate, he will easily beat the current record for most league goals in a season, which is currently held by Lionel Messi (50 goals in the 2011/12 season).

#11 Forward: Karim Benzema

Taking up the other striking slot, ahead of Mario Mandzukic is Karim Benzema. Whenever there is talk of the Real Madrid's attack, it is the likes of Bale and Ronaldo who hog the limelight. But if there is one player who is just as influential as those two, it is the 27-year-old French striker.

Almost under the radar, the Frenchman has managed 8 goals and 7 assists and sits in second place, behind Ronaldo in both charts. His intelligent movement and ability to create space for the other two to run into is what makes him so good. A selfless player who creates as much as he can, he is the striker that every club dreams of having, albeit one that isn't hugely appreciated by the club and the fans.