Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: Three key battles to keep an eye on | OneFootball

After having dispatched Manchester City in the playoff round for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Real Madrid have another stern test awaiting them as they face Atletico Madrid in the next round of the competition.

The Merengues were able to only get draws in their two outings against the Colchoneros in La Liga this season, and as they are also engaged in a fierce 3-way battle for the La Liga title this season, this UCL draw will be highly exciting for the fans of both sides. The fact that these two clubs enjoy a historic inter-city rivalry further makes this tie a highly exciting affair.

The quality that these two sides possess in their squads will make it difficult for either team to get an easy win, as there are several players in both sides that can turn the tie in their side’s favour by themselves.

The three most exciting and crucial battles in this match will be as follows:

Vinicius Junior vs Marcos Llorente

There is no doubt that Vinicius Junior is one of the best attackers in this Real Madrid squad, and despite his consistencies, he still remains one of the most dangerous players for the Merengues, especially in the big games. He was crucial for Los Blancos with his 2 assists in the tie against Manchester City and will be looking to once again be the difference-maker for his side in the UCL.

The Brazilian has 7 UCL goals to his name this season and is the joint-highest scorer in this competition for his team. He has a particularly heated past with Atletico Madrid, and always looks to put on his best displays whenever facing the Colchoneros.

It remains unclear whom he will be facing on his wing for this game, as Nahuel Molina has been the starting right-back for Simeone, but Marcos Llorente has also been playing on this flank for most big games. The Spaniard took this position in the last league match between the two sides, and is expected to do the same in tonight’s crucial game.

His own past with the Merengues means the midfielder is always at his best when playing against Real Madrid. This will remain the case as the two sides meet tonight, and the battle between him and Vinicius will definitely be one of the most interesting ones.

Kylian Mbappe vs Jose Maria Gimenez

After a difficult start to life, the French superstar is now firing on all cylinders for Los Blancos and will be the main offensive threat for the Mattress Makers. Atletico Madrid will have to be particularly wary about him as he is coming off a mercurial performance in the UCL against Manchester City, against whom he scored a hat-trick in the second leg after having scored another goal in the first leg.

Mbappe will definitely be looking to add another goal to his tally of 7 UCL goals up to now, but he will be facing an experienced and highly skilled defender in Jose Maria Gimenez in this game. The Uruguayan remains the clear leader of the Atletico Madrid defence, making 4.3 ball recoveries in each game this season.

Getting past him will not really be easy, but with the form that he has been showing lately, one can put nothing past the Frenchman.

Antoine Griezmann vs Antonio Rudiger

On the other side of the pitch, will be another Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann, who will be the most dangerous player for his side. Now 33 years old, the veteran forward is still one of the best attacking players in Europe and has already scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists in the UCL so far.

Having already lost the UCL final to the Merengues in 2016, Griezmann will be looking to get some revenge at last with this tie. However, the presence of a defender as skilled and experienced as Antonio Rudiger in the centre of the Real Madrid defence will not make it very easy for him to influence this game a lot.