Former Real Madrid captain Raul has earmarked Luka Modric as the man to unlock Atletico in Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
The teams meet at the Vicente Calderon in the first leg of their quarter-final tie with Atletico boasting a record of four wins and two draws from their six clashes with Madrid this season.
Raul is expecting a tight encounter and believes it will be Modric, rather than the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale, who could make the difference.
He told L’Equipe: “I think the superstars like Ronaldo, [Karim] Benzema, Bale, Arda Turan and Koke will be prominent but I think the key to Real Madrid’s success could be Luka Modric.
“We are well aware of the void created by his injury. He is the leader of the orchestra and if Atletico do not open the game up – which is likely – a player like Modric, with his qualities, will be very valuable. He sees spaces before everyone else and has an exceptional reading of the game.
“For Atletico, Antoine Griezmann should do well. He has performed well since the start of the year and the Madrid defence needs to be careful.”
