Real Madrid: 3 key battles to watch at Atleti on Matchday 26

Real Madrid will travel to the Wanda Metropolitano this weekend to face Atletico Madrid. It is a must-win matchup for Los Blancos, considering how tight the La Liga title race is. While Real did not do themselves any favors by dropping points to Real Sociedad on Monday night at home, sharing the spoils with Imanol Alguacil’s side is hardly a deal-breaker.

Atleti present a difficult proposition for a Royal White side that is still less than 100 percent, but Real did defeat them handily at home 2-0.

Here are three key matchups to watch on La Liga’s Matchday 26 when Real Madrid face Los Rojiblancos at the Wanda. Selections are based on MARCA’s probable lineups.

Real Madrid CB Raphael Varane vs. Atletico Madrid ST Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is second in La Liga with 16 goals and has been the main reason why Atletico Madrid currently lead the league. The former Barcelona man has always caused Real Madrid massive problems, but recent fixtures have been a departure from the Uruguayan’s usual dominance.

In fact, Suarez was such a non-factor at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano earlier in the 2020-2021 campaign that Diego Simeone was forced to take him off the pitch.

This Sunday, expect Suarez to be back with a vengeance. But while Real do not have their own La Liga veteran superstar in Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho Fernandez have been more than good enough in his absence. The chess match between Varane and Suarez could be one of the big storylines of the match.