EI Atlético carried out its last test of the preseason against Feyenoord and he again had difficulty seeing the goal. In total, only five goals in the five preparation games played before the start of the League, next Sunday in Balaídos (17:00). Although it is something that worries the coaching staff, and more considering that in exchange six goals were conceded, conceding in every game, doubts can be quarantined. It has been a completely atypical preseason, the very high presence of rojiblancos players between the Eurocup and the Copa América has caused that Simeone has barely had members of the first team to form his training sessions and first encounters and the succession of absences has been concentrated in the attack zone.
The current league champion saw how Luis Suárez and Correa were summoned by Uruguay and Argentina respectively, João Félix was leaving with Portugal, Llorente with Spain and Lemar with France. In addition, the forward is still waiting for at least one reinforcement, with Rafa Mir's option as the most economically viable. Thus, Cholo has had to turn to his quarry in all lines, but mainly up front to look for those goals that are costing so much. Giuliano Simeone, Borja Garcés, who scored a goal against Wolfsburg, and Camello have been the forwards most used by the Argentine coach.
Llorente and Correa, to the rescue
Against Feyenoord they already had their first and only appearance before two heavyweights against Celta as Llorente and Correa. The first was a starter accompanying Giuliano up front, an alternative for Vigo, with that versatility that allows at '14' exercising from striker to right back passing through the center of the field where he stands out the most and is most comfortable, with freedom of movement to deploy in attack. With the absences up, it was his turn as a forward, contributing his presence, speed and arrival until Carrasco's expulsion took him to the right lane. Llorente played the first half as usual in the preseason debuts of the rojiblancos players.
Correa had to wait until minute 70 to enter the grass, since he had been working on his legs for less than a week. He was the only summoned of those who began training on Monday, August 2 (Suárez, Trippier and Lodi stayed in Madrid). And, despite the numerical inferiority, he only needed one ball in the vicinity of the area to show that he has returned as he left, with a great goal that put the momentary tie on the scoreboard. Feyenoord would take the victory in the last play of the match, but the good level of Correa despite his little preparation was one of the great news of the meeting.
Now, the Argentine is running as a starter in Balaídos to start the championship with the great objective of trying to revalidate the title. Suárez has not participated in the preseason, so his presence against Celta is expected for the last half hour of the match.. João Félix continues to recover from the ankle operation he underwent after the Eurocup dispute and it will not reach the start of the championship. And if there is any reinforcement before the start of the League, it does not seem possible that he can catch the coach's automatisms in such a short time.
Despite the few days of preseason, Llorente and Correa are ready to take control of the goal at Atlético. The midfielder finished last year with 13 goals, 12 of them in the league and Correa scored nine goals in the competition, the last of them to start the comeback against Valladolid in a magnificent and unforgettable individual action key to end up lifting the title. Two insurance for the Cholo that allow him to prepare the league debut much more relaxed.