It’s derby day in Madrid on Saturday and the beautiful Wanda Metropolitano is ready to host the first Madrid derby of 2019.

A defeat to Real Betis in the previous league outing leaves Atletico Madrid with an immediate need to get things right again and put pressure on league leaders Barcelona.

Real Madrid have managed to string four wins in a row in the league and will be looking to extend it and head into the mid-week Champions League fixture against Ajax with full confidence.

The reverse fixture saw a pallid goalless draw at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the stakes are higher now, as a win could send Madrid to second spot in the league table.

We take a look at the tactics Diego Simeone will look to employ in this big-ticket affair.

MORATA TO DUPLICATE COSTA’S ROLE FROM THE SUPER CUP

When Atletico last beat Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup last year, it was Diego Costa who was the star performer who propelled them to glory. The Spaniard scored a brace, but his role in Atletico’s win was not limited to just inscribing his name on the score sheet.

Costa was physically manhandling the Madrid centre-backs in Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos. After strangling the backline with immense pressing and physically dominating them, Madrid approached the Costa-situation with extra caution. Ultimately, space was created in the half-spaces for Thomas Lemar to thrive in.

Alvaro Morata should attempt to duplicate Costa’s role and force Madrid’s backline into making poor decisions. The ex-Chelsea man has looked beaten down this season and he will have to step up big time and impose himself on the Madrid defence.

Alvaro Morata

BETTER CALL SAUL AND LEMAR TO THE PARTEY

This is a game that can be won or lost on the wings. One major takeaway from Madrid’s draw against Barcelona in El Clasico would be their conflicting performance on the wing.

Vinicius Junior created all sorts of problems on the left wing and played a huge role in Madrid achieving that early lead. At the same time, they looked vulnerable on the wings in defence, with left-back Marcelo having one of his worst games.

The key, for Atletico, would be in maintaining balance between attack and defence on the wing. Saul Niguez can provide some defensive depth and must hence start on the right to keep a check on Vinicius. Although the Spaniard prefers playing on the left, he has shown versatility in accustoming himself anywhere in midfield.

Thomas Lemar can start on the left, where the defensive burden is comparatively light. The Frenchman can be crucial in hurting Madrid on the break, by virtue of his pace.

Saul Nigez

Also, it would certainly help Atletico if forward Antoine Grezmann drops deeper and allow midfielders Rodri and Thomas Partey to shift wide and help out in defence. The wings will surely be the focal point in the Derby and the hosts must prevent Madrid from creating overloads at any cost.