Picking a Combined Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid XI on Form This Season
Barcelona might be running away with La Liga, but that shouldn't put a dampener on this weekend's 212th Madrid derby, which Atletico Madrid enter one point and one place above city rivals Real.
The battle for second place in the table looks like it'll be something that runs and runs for the remainder of the season, but there will be more than that at stake at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Real look to keep a team they've traditionally looked down upon in check.
Both sides have had their good and bad moments this season, but if we were to pick a side based on 2015/16 form to take on the might of Barca, then who would be in the XI?
Here's one opinion.
Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas
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Jan Oblak has had a fine season and helped ensure that Atletico Madrid have set the best defensive record in La Liga, but given the turbulence he experienced in the summer when it looked as though he was heading for the exit door, the reaction of Keylor Navas has been superb.
The Costa Rican might still end up being surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu if Real do eventually get their hands on David De Gea, but he will always have this season to look back on.
Back in September, he broke a record for the number of clean sheets set from the start of the season, while he also set a record for the longest time without conceding a goal since his debut in the UEFA Champions League.
Right-Back: Juanfran
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Danilo, Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Arbeloa have all operated at right-back for Real Madrid this season, but none have done so with the consistency that Juanfran has done for Atletico.
Now 31 and in his fifth season at the Vicente Calderon, the experienced defender has managed to get up and down the right flank in support of his attacking players while also being a key part of the solidity of Diego Simeone's side at the back.
A true Atletico stalwart, he's the type of player you want to have on your side.
Centre-Back: Diego Godin
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He's somewhat quietly become one of the very best centre-backs in world football over his six seasons with Atletico Madrid, even making vital goalscoring contributions at times, and Uruguayan Diego Godin takes his place in our select XI thanks to his no-nonsense approach.
An out-and-out defender who forwards must hate to play against, Godin is a tough, physical presence who gets up close and personal when marking his intended targets, often nicking the ball away from them deftly.
Now 30, he has remained loyal to Atletico and Simeone and is a real hero among the fans.
Centre-Back: Sergio Ramos
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Classy and elegant on the ball, Sergio Ramos would surely be the perfect partner for the more rugged Godin in the centre of our combined XI's defence.
The Spanish international has become a symbol of the modern Real Madrid, scrapping and fighting for everything while the headlines might go to the attacking players.
The scorer of one of the most important goals in Madrid derby history—the equaliser in the 2014 Champions League final—he deservedly takes his place in our side.
Left-Back: Marcelo
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A little like Godin at centre-back, Real Madrid's Marcelo has quietly busied himself with the task of becoming one of the very best left-backs in the world over the past few seasons, and in turn, he's also become a mainstay of his team.
Unlike plenty of other positions in the Real XI, you can be pretty certain that Marcelo will start whenever he's fit, and that's also going to be the case in our side, too.
Like Ramos, the Brazilian scored against Atletico in the 2014 Champions League final.
Defensive Midfield: Luka Modric
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Patrolling the midfield we have Real Madrid's Luka Modric, who continues to hit the heights at the Bernabeu despite his relatively tiny frame.
The Croatian may have taken a while to settle into Spanish football following his move from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, but now he has, he is always one of the first names on the Real teamsheet regardless of who the manager is.
Keeping the game and his team ticking over in the centre of the pitch, Modric has become vital to the way Real play, and he will take up the same role for our combined team.
Central Midfield: Koke
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One of the most gifted of the "next wave" of Spanish internationals to come after the FIFA World Cup and double UEFA European Championship-winning generation, Koke has been a shining star at Atletico Madrid ever since first breaking into the first team in the 2009/10 season.
A player who always seems to be demanding the ball, Koke is seen by many as Diego Simeone's representative on the pitch for Atletico, with his influence usually vital when they look to turn defence into attack.
Aged just 24, he looks to be a vital player for the Spain national team for years to come.
Central Midfield: James Rodriguez
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Although he's had injury and a disagreement with previous boss Rafael Benitez to contend with, James Rodriguez has still been able to show his quality consistently enough this season to suggest that he should take his place at the tip of our midfield three.
The Colombian is often capable of the spectacular, as shown with his recent goal against Athletic Bilbao, and as a gifted player with the No. 10 on his back, it is no surprise to see that Zinedine Zidane has quickly made him one of the focal points of his team at the Bernabeu, just as he would be in this one.
Right Forward: Antoine Griezmann
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This was a tough call because he's had a little downturn in form lately and Gareth Bale has had a very good season, but it's Antoine Griezmann who gets the spot on the right of the front three.
Undoubtedly Atletico's "go-to man" these days, the Frenchman looks set to one day become just the latest superstar forward to eventually step away from the Vicente Calderon for new, more lucrative pastures. But while here's there, the club's fans are going to go on enjoying the displays of the former Real Sociedad forward, who is quickly becoming one of the very best players in the world.
Centre Forward: Karim Benzema
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A haul of 25 goals in 25 games this season means that we really couldn't leave Karim Benzema out of our side, with the Frenchman somewhat defying expectation to forge an excellent career for himself at Real Madrid.
Perhaps many would have expected him to have left the Bernabeu by now, but he remains in the Spanish capital, banging in goals and serving as the perfect focal point for a mobile, exciting front three that is capable of scoring goal after goal.
Left Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
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It had to be, didn't it?
He might not be the player he once was in the eyes of many, with criticism of his performances seemingly growing by the week, but Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most watchable footballers to ever play the game.
This team would be far worse off if he wasn't in it, and so the Portuguese takes his place on the left of a front three that combines pace, power and, crucially, goals.
You wouldn't want to play against this side.
