Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid square off in another edition of the Madrid Derby, but with both teams barely within sight of Barcelona it begs the question, does it matter? In recent years the match had championship implications as well as pride. Now however it has been reduced to simply pride and a race for second. 

Atleti sits eight points behind Barça and Real Madrid nine. The La Liga race is pretty much decided and right now both Madrid teams are playing for simple vanity at this point, as their best hope for a league town rest on the Catalan side falling victim to a sudden rash of injuries (which better happen soon if they want to make up such a big deficit).

Speaking of vanity, Cristiano Ronaldo always has something to play for, and that's his unspoken personal rivalry with Lionel Messi. He will be going full throttle, which may be to the detriment of his team from here on out. In domestic league play, all the Portuguese superstar has to play for is his goal total. Real Madrid better hope that his personal mission does not turn into selfishness that leads of L's and not W's.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has acknowledged that his coaching acumen is still under review saying, "I hear a lot of people doubting my abilities as a coach but everybody can think freely - I just concentrate on my own work.

We are playing against a great team that has got a great coach who is very important for his team. They are a very competitive side, and I have to find the key to win.''

Under Zidane, los blancos have put up some dazzling performances, but still have fallen victim to what plagued them last season under Carlo Ancelotti and this year under Rafa Benitez, playing down to their competition.

On the other side, Diego Simeone's men have had an inconsistent season thus far, but lack the stockpile of premier talent that Real Madrid has. Last month they suffered a winless stretch that saw them produce little offense, and that has continued, as exemplified in their scoreless draw in Champions League play at PSV Eindhoven. But that is their game, staunch defense and opportunistic scoring, which may be enough at the Bernabeu Saturday.

Real Madrid's strength is not its defense, indeed it has had trouble keeping teams from pulling at least one goal for themselves, which may be all Atlético will need. If los rojiblancos can get ahead early, expect them to fall back heavy and "park the bus" in front of goal as they say. That's because that is what they will need to do, depending on how dangerous Ronaldo proves to be.

Ronaldo has eaten up inferior defenses especially as of late at home, but Atlético should give him trouble with Gareth Bale still out. Isco will be a key factor for Real Madrid, as he is the creative engine that can create for himself and others from midfield. 

with pride on the line, it should make for an interesting match. Let's just hope both sides are equally engaged.

Photo: Flickr