Mariano ready to replace Benzema and more Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid storylines

Andy West 22:10 28/09/2018
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  • Strikers Mariano and Antoine Griezmann could make big impacts.

    The first truly heavyweight battle of the La Liga season takes place on Saturday night as in-form Atletico Madrid travel to face under pressure Real at the Bernabeu (10.45pm kick-off)

    Diego Simeone’s men are just two points behind the hosts after recovering from a poor start to the season to string together a run of three straight wins, while Real are eager to bounce back following a shocking 3-0 defeat at Sevilla on Wednesday.

    It promises to be a thrilling showdown and here we examine three of the big storylines ahead of the game.

    Benzema to stay up front?

    A big selection headache for Los Blancos boss Julen Lopetegui comes from the fact that frontman Karim Benzema has been desperately struggling for form in recent weeks. Not only has the Frenchman failed to score in the last three games, he hasn’t even managed to register a single shot on target, delivering a series of displays which can most accurately be described as powder-puff.

    Benzema has been substituted around the hour mark during his last three outings by Lopetegui, who has clearly not been satisfied with the striker’s output and must be seriously considering relegating him to the bench in favour of summer signing Mariano Diaz.

    The former youth team product is in his second spell with the club after being recaptured following a highly successful season with Lyon. Indeed, his performance from the bench in Seville posed far more of a goal threat to the opposition defence than Benzema had offered.

    True, Mariano does not possess the same ability as Benzema to drop deep into midfield and link up with his teammates, but is that what’s really needed against Atletico? Los Rojiblancos are generally happy to cede possession and territory outside the penalty area, and would probably be happier to see Benzema drifting around the halfway line rather than Mariano invading the penalty area. At the very least, if Benzema does start but fails to perform, Lopetegui will not delay in making a change.

    Mariano re-signed for Real at the end of last month.

    Costa and Griezmann starting to gel?

    A notable aspect of Atletico’s poor start to the season was an apparent lack of understanding between star strikers Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa, who often struggled to anticipate each other’s movements as their team slipped to a worrying defeat at Celta Vigo and an unimpressive home draw against Eibar.

    During that brief but concerning period Griezmann and Costa were spending more time glaring at each other with shrugged shoulders rather than combining to threaten the opposition goal, and more alarm bells were ringing when Atletico’s Champions League campaign got underway with hosts Monaco racing into an early lead.

    But then came the much-needed turning point, both for the duo and the team in general, when a perfectly weighted pass from Griezmann allowed Costa to race clear and produce a smart finish for the leveller. A header from Jose Maria Gimenez soon followed, and Atletico were on their way.

    From being on the brink of crisis just two weeks ago, they have now won three consecutive games and the partnership between the front two is starting to gel – as illustrated by the opener in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Huesca, when Costa unselfishly squared for Griezmann to slide home.

    A further development in their chemistry at the Bernabeu would be most welcome, especially if it allows Costa to get a monkey off his back by registering his first league goal since February.

    Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid against SD Huesca at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 25, 2018. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP) (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

    Antoine Griezmann was on target against Huesca.

    Marcelo missed?

    With Isco already ruled out through appendicitis, Real have suffered another injury blow with the news that Marcelo will be out of action for two weeks with a thigh strain.

    However, it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise because the veteran Brazilian international has started the season in very poor form, delivering an especially flawed display in Wednesday’s loss at Sevilla when he was at fault for all three goals.

    Although Marcelo’s attacking ability is undeniable, his lack of defensive instincts provide a clear attacking route to opposition teams, who frequently expose the space left behind by Marcelo to launch raids down the right.

    His expected deputy Nacho is a far more conservative player, and the absence of Marcelo could well make Real a more balanced outfit.

    Set for spell on sidelines? Marcelo.

    Marcelo is set for a spell on the sidelines.

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