'%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)
Although it has only been two games, Real Madrid take on Atletico Madrid on Saturday in a must-win game for the home side, after their disastrous 4-2 loss against Real Sociedad in their previous League match after leading 2-0. Atletico already hold the advantage in the head-to-head this season, having beaten their local rivals over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup and will be hoping to claim their first away win of the season.
The last time both these sides met at the Santiago Bernabeu, Atletico emerged victorious for the first time in 17 attempts. Diego Simeone's team lost a few key players from that line up, but have been bolstered significantly, especially in attack, by the arrival of Mario Mandzukic, Raul Jimenez, Antoine Griezmann and Alessio Cerci.
Although Real didn't sign as many players, they still added some quality into their ranks. The club’s two big-money signings in the summer, Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez have already taken a liking to La Liga and the club will be hoping that the duo go onto star for the rest of the season as well.
As we look forward to the first League encounter between the reigning La Liga winners and the Champions League winners, let us take a look at who will get into a combined XI of both these sides.
Goalkeeper
Iker Casillas
Carlo Ancelotti's preference for Iker Casillas means that the World Cup sensation Keylor Navas is likely to occupy the bench yet again. Although the 33-year-old Spaniard has already been ousted by the national team, his influence at the club means that unless performances take a turn for the worse, he is likely to remain the club's No.1. So, he just gets the nod over Moya, a player who was signed this summer to replace Thibaut Courtois after the Belgian moved back to his parent club. Casillas to his credit, has started this season well, but the defence in front of him hasn't and that is one of the reasons why he has already let in four goals.
Defence
Juanfran – Sergio Ramos – Diego Godin – Marcelo
The defence sees two players from both teams take their place. At right back, the reliable Juanfran gets the nod over Dani Carvajal but only just. The 29-year-old who was graduate of the Real Madrid youth academy, has been the Atletico's Mr. Consistent ever since he signed for the club in 2011. The Spaniard's ability to not just hold his own in defence, but also get forward with great effect is one of the reasons why he takes his place at right back.
Although Real Madrid have gotten off to a shaky start at the back, one man who has continued to impress one and all, has been Sergio Ramos. The 28-year-old has arguably been the club's best defender in the last 18 months and has shown considerable maturity in leading the defence. While he is still prone to bouts of recklessness, there is no doubt, he is one of the finest centre halves in the game right now.
Alongside Ramos is someone who is perhaps the polar opposite of the Spaniard. Diego Godin's calm and assured presence in the centre of defence, has been the foundation on which Atletico's success over the past few years has been built. While both players have a similar propensity for scoring crucial goals, where they differ is their approach to the game. Godin's pace, positional awareness and ability to read the game is second to none and the club are lucky that they were able to hold onto the player over the summer.
Arguably one of the easiest selections is who plays at left back. Marcelo gets the nod, as the departure of the dependable Fillipe Luis has meant that Atletico have had to experiment with two new players this season. Marcelo's forays in the opposing half have become more and more frequent over the past few years and his link-up with Cristiano Ronaldo has only gotten better with time.
Midfield
Gabi – Toni Kroos – Koke
Given the abundance of quality central midfielders on both sides, arguably the toughest decision is the choice of who plays in central midfield. The first of the three central midfielders in Atletico's club captain Gabi. The Spaniard has been a revelation ever since he came back to the club in 2011 and has made the defensive midfield role his own. His reading of the game and timing of his tackles and interceptions are simply sublime and you can certainly see why the fans love him.
Taking his place alongside Gabi, is Real Madrid's new signing Toni Kroos. The German midfielder signed from Bayern Munich in the summer already has two assists to his name and only just pips Luka Modric who had a fantastic season last time around. Although Kroos' performances in Brazil caught the eye, it was merely an extension of what he had been doing over the past couple of seasons for Bayern.
If there is one player that Atletico Madrid wanted to keep hold of more than anyone else, it was Koke. The Spaniard was in sublime form last season and had all the makings of a world-class midfielder. Although played predominantly on the left, Koke is just as home in the centre of the park and his ability to create goal scoring opportunities for his team-mates and keep the ball moving is one of his biggest strengths. And that is precisely why he takes the last and final place in this tightly contested midfield.
Attack
Gareth Bale – Mario Mandzukic – Cristiano Ronaldo
On the right flank, the World's most-expensive player takes his place on the back of a stunning debut season that saw him get into double digits in both goals and assists in the League. Gareth Bale will be keen on improving on his 15 goals and 12 assists from last season and has already got off the mark this time around with a goal against Real Sociedad.
On the other flank, the reigning European Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo takes his place in the side. Although he has been plagued by a recurring injury at the start of this season, he now looks fit and raring to go. The Portuguese forward broke the 50-goal mark for the fifth straight season and already has three goals from his four games this season.
The loss of Diego Costa to Chelsea looked like a body blow for Atletico, but the arrival of Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich meant that the side had replaced one goal-hungry striker with another. Although the Croatian scored close to 50 goals in his two seasons in Bavaria, he didn't look too happy and a move to Madrid and a regular run as the club's first-choice striker will do him no harm at all. Two goals, including the fastest goal in the history of the Spanish Super Cup, means that the Croatian has already started his Atletico career with a bang and the club will be hoping for more of the same.
