'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The latest edition of the decorated Madrid Derby will be on display at the Metropolitano on Saturday.
Having endured a topsy-turvy start to their season, Real Madrid looks to have finally hit their straps.
The Los Blancos have stitched a run of good results and came away with an admirable 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou in the Copa Del Rey on Wednesday.
Their cross-town rivals meanwhile, had enjoyed a decent start to 2019 before a defeat away to Real Betis last weekend dented their chase of Barcelona at the perch of the table.
At the moment, only a couple of points separate the eternal rivals and a win for either would substantially tilt the bragging rights in their favour, considering that the last four league games have ended in stalemates.
With the match promising to be an absolute cracker, one can’t help but wonder how a dream XI comprising of players from both halves of Madrid would look like.
Thus, to quench the thirst of such fantasists, we would indulge in jotting down a combined Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid eleven.
The manager of our team would be Diego Simeone and we have gone in for a 4-3-3 formation.
Without further ado, here is a look at the combined XI:
(The players considered are those that are expected to play a part in the game on Saturday. Hence, players like Saul, Koke and Diego Costa have been ignored.)
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
Of all the slots on offer, the goalkeeping spot was the toughest to zero in on. While the Los Blancos can boast of the commanding Courtois in goal, the Los Rojiblancos possess the outstanding Oblak.
The aforementioned keepers are extremely safe options and can be genuine match-winners. Yet, in the end, we have gone for Oblak, due to the all-round composure he brings to the table.
Oblak has kept 11 clean sheets in 22 games, which is three more than the shut-outs Courtois has accumulated over the course of the season.
Blessed with the reflexes of a cat, Oblak has specialised in pulling off last-ditch saves to keep his team in the game. In addition, the Slovakian is calm under crosses and rarely flaps at high-balls.
However, the aspect which gives him the edge over Courtois is his ball-playing ability. The Slovakian is a lot more accomplished on the ball and would provide another dimension to the team.
Though Courtois and Oblak are arguably two of the better keepers in the world, we, unfortunately, had to choose one of the two and in the end, the latter got the nod.
Defence: Dani Carvajal, Diego Godin, Sergio Ramos, Lucas Hernandez
In defence, we have a couple of Atletico Madrid players to complement two Real Madrid mainstays.
At right full-back, Carvajal easily gets in ahead of Juanfran and Arias due to his excellent work-rate and quality in the attacking third.
The left-back spot was a slightly trickier question to handle as the likes of Lucas Hernandez, Filipe Luis, Marcelo and Sergio Reguilon are capable of slotting into our eleven.
However, Hernandez gets in ahead of his peers due to the extra defensive solidity he offers. A tenacious tackler, the Frenchman was a vital cog as France claimed their second World Cup in the summer.
Moreover, in recent times, the left-back has significantly upgraded his offensive play and when fit, is one of the best full-backs in the world.
Of the defensive positions, the centre back pairing was the easiest to pick with Godin and Ramos selecting themselves.
Though there was a question mark over the former’s fitness, he returned to training on Wednesday and is expected to feature for Simeone’s men.
A back four of Carvajal, Godin, Hernandez and Ramos would be a tough nut to crack for any team. Thus, unsurprisingly, they make up our defensive line.
Midfield: Rodrigo, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric
The strength of this team certainly lies in its midfield. The exclusion of Casemiro and Isco driving the point home.
Our midfield comprises of three classy ball-playing midfielders who can help control the tempo of the game and provide the creative spark in the middle third.
However, we haven’t totally compromised on the defensive aspect with the holding midfielder spot going to Rodrigo.
The Spaniard was signed in the summer from Villareal and he has hit the ground running. Dubbed the ‘new Sergio Busquets’, Rodrigo has been putting in splendid displays in midfield and thus, pushes Casemiro out of his preferred position in midfield.
As for the other two, there simply isn’t a better midfield duo in world football currently. Though the pair had a slightly underwhelming start to the season, they have picked up their form recently.
Thus, with Kroos and Modric playing to their potential, our job was made a lot easier. And we ended up with a trio that can pass even the best oppositions into submission.
Forward: Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale
The French pair of Griezmann and Benzema has been setting the La Liga ablaze with their displays since the start of the year.
The duo has contributed a lion’s share of their team’s goals. The former, in particular, has single-handedly ensured Atletico has stayed in the hunt for the La Liga crown.
Benzema, on the other hand, endured a truckload of criticism at the start of the season due to his erratic performances. However, in recent weeks, he has taken his game up a notch and he represents one of the best marksmen on the planet currently.
In our formation, Benzema would play down the middle with Griezmann on the left flank. As for the right wing, we have gone in for a certain Gareth Bale.
A lot was expected from the Welshman after Ronaldo’s move to Juventus. Yet, Bale has failed to deliver on the initial promise he showcased and has again been held back by injuries.
Still, a fully-fit Bale has a lot to offer to our team. Both of Griezmann and Benzema like to come towards the ball and link up the play. Thus, a player of Bale’s pace would be invaluable with his running in-behind keeping the opposing defence on their toes.
On current form, maybe Vasquez might have been the better option. Yet, the Spaniard doesn’t boast of the ‘X-Factor’ Bale does.
Thus, Bale rounds off the front three and our combined XI.
