After knocking out Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League last 16 play-off round, Real Madrid face another stern test when they take on Atletico Madrid in the next round of the competition.

The Merengues have drawn both of their La Liga meetings with the Colchoneros this season, and with the two sides also locked in a fierce three-way battle for the La Liga title this term, the UCL draw will be an exciting one for fans of both sides. The fact that these two clubs have a historic cross-town rivalry adds to the excitement of this tie.

The quality that both sides have in their squads will make it difficult for either team to come away with an easy win, as there are several players on both sides who can turn the tie in their team's favour.

The three most exciting and crucial battles in this match will be as follows:

Vinicius Junior vs Marcos Llorente

There is no doubt that Vinicius Junior is one of the best attackers in this Real Madrid squad and despite his consistency, he remains one of the most dangerous players for the Merengues, especially in the big games. His 2 assists in the draw against Manchester City were crucial for Los Blancos, and he will be looking to be the difference maker once again in the UCL.

The Brazilian has 7 UCL goals to his name this season and is his team's joint top scorer in the competition. He has a particularly heated history with Atletico Madrid and always looks to be on top of his game when facing the Colchoneros.

It remains to be seen who he will face on the wing for this game, as Nahuel Molina has been Simeone's starting right-back, but Marcos Llorente has also played on that flank in most of the big games. The Spaniard started the last league meeting between the two sides and will be expected to do the same in tonight's crucial clash.

His own history with the Merengues means that the midfielder is always at his best against Real Madrid. That will remain the case when the two sides meet tonight, and the battle between him and Vinicius is sure to be one of the most intriguing.

Kylian Mbappe vs Jose Maria Gimenez

After a difficult start to life, the French superstar is now firing on all cylinders for Los Blancos and will be the main offensive threat for the Mattress Makers. Atletico Madrid will have to be particularly wary about him as he is coming off a mercurial performance in the UCL against Manchester City, against whom he scored a hat-trick in the second leg after having scored another goal in the first leg.

Mbappe will definitely be looking to add another goal to his tally of 7 UCL goals up to now, but he will be facing an experienced and highly skilled defender in Jose Maria Gimenez in this game. The Uruguayan remains the clear leader of the Atletico Madrid defence, making 4.3 ball recoveries in each game this season.

Getting past him will not really be easy, but with the form that he has been showing lately, one can put nothing past the Frenchman.

Julián Alvarez vs Antonio Rudiger

On the other side of the pitch, Julián Alvarez, he will become the most dangerous player in the eyes of Real Madrid defenders. The 25-year-old striker has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season since leaving Manchester City, and has scored in every game in the last three games - not to mention that he is also next to Griezmann, who has scored 6 goals and contributed 2 assists in the Champions League this season.

Antonio Rudiger may be Real Madrid's response. Alaba, who has just recovered from injury, still needs to find his form, Raul Asensio is still immature, and the Whites needs a skilled and experienced defender like Rudiger. Rudiger did not participate in the La Liga last weekend. Ancelotti hopes that the French defender will play a mainstay role in this derby after returning from rest.