Atlético 1×1: the worst game of the season, and that is saying

Cloud: The team started cold, without pressure and in an error by Giménez ended with De Frutos facing heads-up and the Slovenian, this time yes, saving the action with a good leg. He had already seen how Levante approached his area several times and tried to do damage with lateral crosses. He saved the pyrrhic plan of the first half, but could not in the second before Melero’s shot, shooting him inside the area. He left a good hand again to avoid a greater bloodletting and almost a header on Atlético’s last chance. In a home loss against the bottom team, the goalkeeper was one of the few to be saved.

Llorente: Lateral again, a position where he loses so much arrival. In his appearances in the rival area down the wing, Atlético’s danger was forged in the first half, but they would be much more constant if he did not have to constantly act as a patch in defense. With the entry of Vrsaljko at match time he was able to raise his position and generate play from the middle, contributing something more than what was being seen with Koke and De Paul in the engine room.

Savic: He had Giménez by his side, a priori the ideal partner for Simeone, but there is no way. This season defensive insecurity is evident in every action and every arrival of the rival. he crossed a couple of times in a very intelligent way to avoid what would have been a dangerous Granota play. The Montenegrin, like the rest of the defense, is overwhelmed by the moment of the team, sometimes trying to dribble back and not understanding how the defensive bleeding continues to increase.

Gimenez: Before the game he received the negative in the PCR that allowed him to participate in the match after spending six days isolated at his home due to coronavirus and entered directly into the eleven due to the needs of the team in the center of the defense. Very serious mistake that left De Frutos hand in hand with Oblak. Luckily for the Uruguayan, the Slovenian saved the 0-1. Without being intense in the mark, they let De Frutos receive, turn around and look for Melero in the goal. A gesture towards the stands caused a division of opinions.

Reinildo: Second consecutive start on the left side, embedding himself between the central defenders when Levante attacked and leaving Lemar practically as a left winger. He was not able to cover Melero in the play that led to Levante’s goal. In attack he lavishes himself thanks to his good stride and speed in the race, although later it doesn’t get complicated and he looks for the safety pass in the final meters.

Kondogbia: The doubt was whether he would start as a pivot or center back, but Giménez arrived on time. He tried to jump into the pressure against the monotonous game of the mattress midfield, but he always arrived outnumbered. Simeone changed his companions in search of some game between the lines, moving Llorente and Lemar to the middle in a 4-3-3.

Boil: Without ideas, running to all sides, but without reaching any. The best Koke appears when he has the ball with players moving ahead and is capable of breaking lines, but it is hardly being seen this season. In this team dynamic, his weaknesses are enhanced, such as his low top speed when it comes to coverage, and his virtues are hidden, without being able to give pace or play to the rojiblanco midfield. He left substituted after a tremendously gray game.

From Paul: From the start thrown to the right wing, although in attack looking a lot for the center of the field to give Llorente flight down the side. He saw an early yellow card that will prevent him from playing against Osasuna after committing several fouls in his eagerness to recover the ball by going to the ground and he was able to see the second one for not knowing how to measure himself. It is costing him a lot to be the protagonist with the ball at Atlético. He leaves flashes with good passes into space, two to Llorente and another to Cunha, but without continuity. The center of the field is very weak.

Lemar: The only player who tried to put some imagination and ball out from below in the first half by turning on his axis and looking for the best-placed teammate. Without Carrasco, the team needs the best version of the Frenchman, because at the moment imagination and individual overflow are in short supply.

Correa: Atlético’s fittest player this season returned to the front to accompany Cunha. Wasted during the first hour of the game, without any good ball reaching him, he grew when the team went up the lines slightly and managed to score a great goal from a Chilean that was canceled due to a supposed previous foul. He had another previously that he failed to hole out in front of Cárdenas.

Cunha: He has earned a place in the eleven, but could hardly participate against Levante. Atlético got behind, did not generate football and speculated until conceding the goal, when the Brazilian left substituted after giving a huge scare. The best thing about Cunha’s game would be that he didn’t suffer any injury.

João tried to propose something different

Joao Felix: He came in to try to be an offensive beacon in a team without ideas. He asked for it and sought to overflow with the dribble. He put up a couple of good crosses and at least tried to bring something different.

Suarez: He could barely get into the game in the half hour he had. The forwards were a lot, with no one to supply them with balls.

Vrsaljko: His entry is used so that Llorente can raise his position and forget about the side, but he barely added in attack.

Herrera: With a midfield at such a level, the Mexican should be an option to build something in the game. He had the last 15 minutes looking for the comeback.

Lodi: Simeone tried to take advantage of his better foot in attack in the last minutes than Reinildo, who has taken away the easy place without hardly having had to show too much.