Six questions About Real Madrid Vs Atletico

How will Madrid recover from their loss to Sevilla?

Julen Lopetegui had a clear message at the pre-match press conference and it was one about motivation.

After their unexpected defeat at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the Los Blancos' coach demanded motivation by his team for the Madrid derby as well as in the league generally.

"Apart from playing, we will have to compete," the coach said.

Lopetegui is well aware that Diego Simeone has taken good note of Madrid's recent loss and knows that if there is a match in which the lack of attitude can be decisive, it is the derby.

Will Simeone want to dominate at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu?

The Argentine coach is tempted to follow Pablo Machin's approach and tactics, which was the use of high pressure, frustrating Luka Modric and Toni Kroos' ability to dictate possession.

However, it seems like Simeone has another style he firmly believes in and it has proven to work, as the Rojiblancos haven't lost a single league game at the Bernabeu in the past five years.

Taking into account that Real's best football comes when they dominate possession, it will be interesting to see if the Atletico coach will give his rivals the responsibility of the ball or if he wants to remind Sergio Ramos and Co. of their terrible time in Seville.

Who are the doubts in the starting XIs?

There are only a few doubts for Real, as the loss of Isco Alarcon due to a health issue and the recovery of Dani Carvajal gives the coach a solid idea of what his XI will look like.

Lopetegui will probably start with Thibaut Courtois; Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Ramos, Nacho; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and Marco Asensio.

Meanwhile, Simeone will most likely start Thomas Partey in the midfield as well as Thomas Lemar, Saul Niguez and Koke.

                               

Who will be more affected by a defeat?

After losing to Sevilla and already having lost against Atletico in the UEFA Super Cup, Lopetegui is the coach that will be hardest hit by a defeat in the derby.

Even in the case of losing the three points, the Spanish giants wouldn't be ruled out for the title.

But if Madrid claims no points, they will fall behind Atletico in the table.

How could Lopetegui make up for the absence of Isco and Marcelo?

It's a major tactical challenge for Lopetegui.

Without Isco and Marcelo, he has to reinvent his team's attack against a rival who has made defending an art form.

The two will miss out on this crucial match and time will tell if the rest of the squad can make up for their absence.

Will Benzema and Diego Costa shine in the derby?

Benzema, despite netting four goals in LaLiga Santander, has had a couple of sluggish performances.

Meanwhile, Diego Costa, although heavily involved in the triumph in the Super Cup, has gone 15 matchdays without scoring a single goal.