Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: 3 Key Battles that will decide the Madrid Derby

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Diego Godin

Diego Godin will have his hands full with Cristiano Ronaldo playing as a centre-forward

14 goals in 30 matches. That is the number of goals Atletico have conceded so far this season - the best defensive record in La Liga. Heck, it's the best record in Europe's top five leagues.

With Gareth Bale doubtful of starting the game and Karim Benzema drawing blanks this season, the burden of scoring against the best defensive side in Europe may ultimately fall on Cristiano Ronaldo's shoulders.

The Portuguese forward no longer plays on the wings but more like a centre-forward. He has already grabbed a brace against another top defensive side in midweek which included a wonder goal against Juventus. Zidane needs a repeat of that performance.

But getting past 36-year-old Andrea Barzagli is arguably easier than trying to score past 32-year-old Diego Godin. The Uruguayan defender has won 45 aerial duels (Ronaldo has won only 31) and 44 tackles in the league this season.

The reverse fixture in November saw Ronaldo fail to score from 7 shots on goal of which 4 were blocked. Nobody else in the game had taken even half that many shots. Godin had made 9 clearances (another game high).

But this is Ronaldo who has scored 23 goals for Real since the turn of the year. And if there is one thing we have learned, it is that you do not write off Ronaldo.