Real Madrid’s undefeated streak continues. Los Blancos took care of business against Inter Milan in the Champions League, winning 2-0 after beautiful goals from Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio to go with another defensive masterclass from Eder Militao. This Champions League victory comes after another thoroughly professional win over a tough opponent this weekend, as the Merengue club defeated Real Sociedad 2-0 at the Anoeta Stadium.
Los Blancos will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu this coming weekend for an even more pivotal match in the La Liga title race against last season’s champions, Atletico Madrid. In 2020-2021, Real were locked in a battle for the ages with Atleti, and while they never lost to Los Rojiblancos, a late goal from Luis Suarez on the final day of the season led to Atleti securing the title.
On Matchday 17, Real Madrid will be out for a convincing victory in El Derbi that proves they are indeed the clear top team in La Liga. Here is a look at how they could potentially line up.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is riding a streak of three straight clean sheets, though the recent two wins were, thankfully, less eventful for the top keeper than his carry-job against Athletic Bilbao. He will likely have to make a couple of top saves on Sunday night.
LB Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy is undoubtedly Carlo Ancelotti’s top choice at left back and will start in every important match for Real. He should have his hands full against the likes of Marcos Llorente, Angel Correa, and Antoine Griezmann.
CB David Alaba
David Alaba is as consistent as they come in central defense. His leadership skills and quality in adding to the attack will be especially vital against a tough, stingy Atletico Madrid team that always knows how to defend against Real Madrid.
CB Eder Militao
There have been a lot of good performances from Real Madrid players lately, but nobody is in better form than the right center back, Eder Militao. He was a 10 out of 10 against La Real and a 9.5 vs. Inter Milan on Tuesday night. Militao is a wall and the perfect recovery defender. Not only does he read the game well defensively, but he is also great at picking out dangerous long passes to the forwards.
RB Dani Carvajal
After a poor performance the previous weekend vs. Sevilla, Dani Carvajal rested and bounced back. He was phenomenal against Inter, leading the team with four key passes. Carvajal still wants to lay claim to being the best right back in the world. Last year around this team, he was fantastic in El Derbi and scored a banger (technically it was a Jan Oblak own goal). Let’s see if he can have another top-level performance on a big stage.
CM Toni Kroos
Sunday night should be another showcase match for Toni Kroos, who lived up to his nickname with yet another beautiful goal. He beat out his strike against Sheriff with a driven, left-footed smash into the bottom right corner. Kroos is putting up some dangerous shots from outside the box lately, and you would not put it past him to score again this weekend. However, as we saw in the last Derbi, Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid have the players and tactical nous to make life very difficult for Kroos. His control of the game will be imperative to a win for Real Madrid.
DM Casemiro
Although Madridistas were nervous when Casemiro went down with a possible injury against Inter, it seems like we can fully expect him to be ready for El Derbi. And if he is healthy enough to play, he is 100 percent playing. Casemiro was very good against Inter. In the last match vs. Atleti, Case assisted a match-saving point for Karim Benzema, freshly returning from an injury. Perhaps the two will combine again on Matchday 17 of the 2021-2022 La Liga season.
CM Luka Modric
Luka Modric just keeps on starting matches for Real Madrid, but the Croatian is playing so well that it does not even look like he needs a break. While it would be wise for Real to rest him soon, that opportunity will likely come after Atletico Madrid against a less dangerous team like Cadiz. Of course, Real lost to Cadiz last season, but they can survive with Fede Valverde. While Fede is great in rivalry matches, Modric is so trusted by Carlo Ancelotti and in such good form, he will most likely start on Sunday.
LW Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior once created a game-winning goal against Atletico Madrid as a substitute. Now, he is far more than a super-sub. He is a superstar. Nobody is making more of a difference for Real Madrid each and every week than Vinicius. He will be itching to get on the scoresheet against Real’s great crosstown rivals and help his team score a massive win in the title race. If Karim Benzema cannot return, then Vini’s importance to Real Madrid will be further magnified.
CF Karim Benzema
Although I could see Luka Jovic starting and Real Madrid playing things safe with Karim Benzema, the reality is that if there is any chance Benz can play, the legendary Madrid No. 9 will make sure he is in the XI. He is the kind of player who will do anything to help Real Madrid, especially in the biggest matches. And with Barcelona hurting, El Derbi is now the biggest match in the title race for the Merengue club. After what he did in the last Derbi at less than 100 percent, don’t be surprised if Benzema has a big say on Sunday night’s match at the Bernabeu.
RW Marco Asensio
While Rodrygo Goes has been the preferred option in recent matches for Carlo Ancelotti due to the young winger’s consistency and defensive contributions, El Derbi likely calls for the out-of-nowhere magic that Marco Asensio’s left foot can produce. You know, like what we saw with his game-sealing curler off the bench. That is a trademark shot for Asensio, and Ancelotti will surely encourage the Andalusian to go for goal as frequently as possible on Sunday night.
Asensio is one of those players who needs to score in order to help the team. He will have to work hard against Yannick Carrasco, who shredded Real in the last Derbi despite Lucas Vazquez’s best efforts. However, I think Ancelotti will take the possible defensive risk for the upside of a goal against Simeone’s side.