Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: 5 factors that will determine the outcome

Here we go again. That might have been the first reaction of both Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone as the draw came out for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have met each other six times already this season in La Liga, Spanish Super Cup and in the Copa del Rey, with Real still seeking their first win over their fierce rivals.Atletico's defensive record at home is nothing short of spectacular, especially in Europe, and it remains to be seen whether they can shut out Real's attack for the fourth successive time at home this season. For all the things they have going for them, Simeone's side will know that they have never beaten Real and gone through in Europe. With Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Godin, Gabi, there are plenty of world-class players on offer from both sides in what promises to be a fascinating derby to decide who goes through to the final four.So who will take the upper hand from the first leg at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday? Who will go through to the semi-finals of the Champions League?Here are five thing that will determine the outcome of this local derby with global repercussions.

#1 Can Atltico continue to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet?

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal scoring record this season has been simply ridiculous. He is one shy of a completing a half-century of goals for the season and has scored seven goals in his last three games. Yet his record against Tuesday's opponents this season is particularly great. He has scored just two goals in six games and one of them was from the penalty spot.

Neither of his goals were enough to help his side win and the Portuguese forward has at times been made to look like a kid who got lost in the market when up against Atlético. Whether it is by crowding him out on the flanks or cutting his supply line, Simeone's side have done a very good job of keeping him out of the game.

If they can do that in both legs, then their chances of progressing into the semi-finals increase exponentially as they will essentially be eliminating Real's single-biggest goal threat.

#2 Central midfield battle

The return of Luka Modric from injury will be a huge boost for Real – they will finally be able to name their first-choice XI in the Champions League this season. With Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez likely to line up alongside the Croatian, it will be interesting to see how Atlético can cope with the passing between them. Although the home side have their own central midfield pairing of Gabi and Tiago, who have been excellent this season, neither are players you would call visionary footballers.

Throughout all their encounters against Real this season, Simeone's men have shown a willingness to be physical and, at times, bully the midfielders in possession of the ball. With Modric and Rodriguez back in the side, the visitors will have the option of not merely passing out of midfield, but also dribbling out if necessary. And that is something which might prove crucial if the hosts aren't able to get a handle on the situation.

Despite their dominance this season, the midfield battle is by no means a foregone conclusion and it will certainly be interesting to see how that pans out. For that will decide the outcome of the clash between the reigning Spanish and European champions.

#3 Who will Diego Simeone play up front?

Apart from their last meeting against Real where they won 4-0, Raul Garcia has started five of the six the games against their bitter rivals this season. Of the five matches, he was the Man of the Match in three and scored twice against Los Blancos.

The real question is not whether Garcia will start, which he surely will, but where he will play. Although he has tended to play on the right, there might just be a temptation to play him up front.

Mario Mandzukic hasn't scored since late February in a 3-0 win over Almeria and is only just returning to full fitness. By picking the 28-year-old, Simeone will be able to play both Arda Turan and Koke on the wing. That will not only provide a physical presence up front, to go along with Antoine Griezmann's pace, but will also increase the problems for Real defensively.

Garcia's recovery from a wrist injury has come at the perfect time for the Atlético boss who has been desperate to find a solution to the Croatian striker's goal scoring drought – a problem which has cost them in the league.

#4 Will Karim Benzema turn the corner against Atltico?

While everyone talks about Ronaldo and the goals that he scores, nobody makes even a passing mention of Karim Benzema and the work he does for the side. While many strikers struggle to do much apart from scoring goals, the Frenchman has developed into a selfless striker – a playmaker of sorts – who plays up front, but is more than happy to pass on the limelight to either Bale or Ronaldo.

Despite extending his run of scoring at least 20 goals in each of his last five seasons, the 27-year-old hasn't always had a good time against Atlético. In fact, his record of just two goals from 18 appearances against Atletico highlight just how difficult he has found playing against a physically imposing defence. It is not his lack of goals, rather his inability to play like he usually does against the Rojiblancos.

As is often the case, if the striker is kept quiet, Ronaldo no longer has someone to play off near the edge of the box. So it is imperative that Simeone's side take care of defending against Benzema, for he has the ability to not only score but also create chances for the most lethal finisher on the pitch.

#5 Iker Casillas

Although both teams are very different in terms of their style and the way they approach the game, they do have one similarity – the goalkeeping department. Neither Real nor Atlético have a world-class goalkeeper on current form. While they both have two very good keepers each, they don't have someone in the mould of Manuel Neuer, who can command their box and calm the nerves of the defence in front.

While Jan Oblak is still young and is learning quickly, the veteran Casillas has no excuse for some of his performances this season. While some have highlighted that he still has what it takes to stay in goal for Real, he has largely been derided by fans and rightly so.

While his reflexes are still very good, his ability to command the box is worse than it has ever been and Atlético will be hoping to capitalise on this by putting him under as much pressure as they possibly can. If they exert enough pressure, the Spanish shot-stopper will certainly crumble and provide a way into the game for Simeone's side.