Simeone was very satisfied with the contribution of the five reserves that entered the second half in San Mamés. With the new standard, the Cholo was able to refresh half a team without losing the competitive rhythm Nor the good manners that the team showed after the break. Using 16 footballers also allows minutes to be given to the less common. For example, Arias and Herrera. The coach wants everyone plugged in.
Héctor Herrera had no minutes since January 26 (Leganés). Then he suffered tendinopathy in the adductor that had him out all the month of February and when he returned the train of ownership had left him, and he even stayed out of the bench at Anfield. In Bilbao he entered the final stretch to refresh Koke. Simeone counts on him for the rotations, as happened in the fall, when the Mexican convinced Cholo and he gave him minutes in 19 games followed, alternating titles with substitutions.
Arias's case was more complicated, since the Colombian competes with two players for the right-back position and, until the break, It was the third option for the coach. Of the eight games prior to the break, he was left out of the call in seven. A muscle injury in late January and Vrsaljko's good performance complicated the picture for Arias.
Now, however, it is the Croatian who is on the low and Simeone used his other two wingers in Bilbao: Trippier as starter and Arias for the last half hour. The coffee maker had the clearest chance of the second half, but Unai Simón thwarted it.
Cholo does not want to burn any footballer and pretends to have everyone ready. Many times He has commented that a player can go from eleven to the stands without that being a problem. Now with calls of 23 (just the first team footballers in Atlético) and five changes, it will be easier for everyone to have minutes. Osasuna will see the first rotations …