Deportivo vs. Real Madrid: Key Issues That Will Shape La Liga Game

Fresh from a five-star performance against Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday night, it is of vital importance that Real Madrid get their league form back on track when they head to the Estadio Riazor to take on Deportivo de La Coruna on Saturday afternoon.

Defeats against Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid have left Carlo Ancelotti's side in the bottom half of the table, and while the standings mean little after three matches, it is not completely insignificant that they are already six points behind Barcelona.

Back in the big-time after a season away, Depor will be looking for a scalp in front of their supporters, so Madrid are unlikely to have things all their own way in Galicia.

Ancelotti's side can't really even afford to draw, so it is imperative that they are able to come out on top in all of the key issues that are likely to shape the outcome of the game.

Silence the Home Crowd with a Quick Start

A recent survey by Jot Down (h/t Paul Reidy) revealed that most provinces in Spain tend to support Real Madrid or Barcelona rather than their local professional side:

However, that is certainly not the case in La Coruna.

Depor's famous old stadium, which was the home for so many memorable European nights earlier in this century, will be close to its 35,000 capacity, and each and every one of the supporters will be loudly willing Madrid to a third consecutive league defeat.

It will certainly spur the home players on, so it is important that Madrid get control of the game quickly and quiet the support down.

Forward Line Needs to Click

Even without Cristiano Ronaldo, it looked like Real Madrid could score at will as they raced into a 2-0 lead against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian recently.

However, once they found themselves behind in that same game, they appeared to lose their magic touch.

It was the same story in the derby against Atletico last weekend. Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot, but Madrid were unable to find the target from open play.

They brutally dominated Basel, though, with the magic four all on the scoresheet: Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez.

If they can pick up from there, Los Blancos should have no problem moving onto six points this weekend.

Casillas Needs to Command and Be Confident

If Real Madrid's forwards are going to continue in top gear, they need a sturdy platform on which to build from.

Jeers were aimed at Iker Casillas during the Atletico game and before the Basel game, but Ancelotti seems happy to stick with him.

Sergio Ramos has also come out in support of his teammate this week in quotes carried by AS, and now it is up to Casillas to begin to justify the belief being shown in him.

One of the world's best for a number of years, he appears bereft of confidence and often—rooted to his line—unable to command his area.

If he can regain some of his old form at the Riazor on Saturday, Madrid will have a good footing for the win.