CF Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema had a night for the ages at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Wednesday, scoring two first-half goals with his head to give Real Madrid a comfortable 2-0 lead that they would not relinquish. He really should have added a third, if we’re being honest, but, as a whole, Benzema was stunning in a do-or-die match for Los Merengues.
This Saturday, Benzema could be just as vital to a Real Madrid victory. He was the matchwinner against Atleti earlier this year in La Liga, and he will need to be the man of the moment again this weekend. Los Rojiblancos are always among the best teams in Europe defensively, and Real cannot count on a single player to score more than Benzema.
CM Luka Modric
Luka Modric has been the most impressive player for Real Madrid in 2020-2021. He has been the best player on the pitch in so many games this season, including, arguably, against Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday (though there are several candidates, such as the aforementioned Benzema).
The Croatian legend has completed 90.8 percent of his passes in La Liga this season, per WhoScored.com, with 1.6 key passes per game and 1.8 dribbles per game. Modric can find the pockets of space and facilitate play around tight areas in the final third, bringing the best of his teammates around the penalty box against a team with the caliber of defending of Atletico Madrid. We may need to see another Man of the Match-type display from Modric on Saturday, noting how excellent Diego Simeone’s men have been in 2020-2021.