Atlético changes its style

Atlético could not take the three points of your visit to Lokomotiv. And it wasn't because he didn't try. The rojiblanco team dominated the game from the first moment and went ahead on the scoreboard by means of a header from Giménez, but a penalty signaled at the behest of the VAR caused the Russians' first and only shot on goal in the entire match it ended in a goal thanks to Miranchuk.

Something that Simeone's men were not able to bend, despite trying constantly and turning towards Guilherme's goal with maximum superiority in the first minutes of the second half, directed again by an exalted João Félix and the entrance of the omnipresent Koke. The most important occasions did not materialize in a goal for details, with the Vallecano's header to the crossbar, the goalkeeper's save to the Portuguese or Suárez's shot that the goalkeeper found almost without expecting it. Already in the first half Correa had run into the wood with a splendid shot from outside the area in a new sign that this Atlético is looking for the rival goal with much more determination than in previous seasons.

A total of 14 shots, six of them on goal, 10 corners and 65% possession that did not serve to win about three points that would have put the classification to the second round on track. This time the result was not good, but, put to tie, the vast majority of fans seem convinced that they are more grateful emptying themselves for trying to score another goal. Keep in mind that Lokomotiv ended up celebrating in style the home draw against Atlético, but the rojiblancos continue to depend on themselves to qualify and they will play two of the three remaining games in the group stage at the Wanda Metropolitano. If competing with Bayern seems impossible, beating the Russians and Salzburg would guarantee to be in the next phase.

Beyond the disappointment and frustration over the draw, the match in Moscow was further proof that this Atlético 2020-21 is much more prepared to attack and subdue the rival than in previous years. Cholo placed the newcomer in the previous match against Lokomotiv Luis Suárez as the cornerstone of this change in style: “The characteristics of the footballers always mark the path to look for and the coaches seek to empower the team. I think all this is generated from the presence of Suárez. There is a need to supply it, with Costa and Morata there were other characteristics to the space and with long terrain. We were looking for other situations. Luis needs more people close to him, to live where it hurts and the team works in search of the most complicated path, which is the goal. “

João Félix, lighthouse in attack

And there is no doubt that the Uruguayan He no longer has that top of speed from his first years at Barça or his last years at Liverpool, but he does play masterfully from behind, defines in the area and combines with his teammates better than previous forwards. However, this new Atlético not only favors Suárez. Having more of the ball and with more options to combine in the final meters has caused all the rojiblancos offensive footballers to be more accompanied up. Of departure, Koke's situation in the double pivot has implied a team with more fluidity at the start, capacity to break lines from the middle and to give the last pass. The captain is the leader in that facet and frees a position on the wing that with the loss of Saúl has been covered by another offensive player.

Thus, the Vallecano has seen two vertical players on the wings, mainly Llorente and Correa, but also with Carrasco, Vitolo or Lemar throwing unchecks, putting speed, joining the attack with constancy and opening holes to the stellar appearance of João Félix. The Portuguese improves the team every time he comes into contact with the ball and with this new, more offensive version he feels much more protagonist. He has achieved the continuity that Simeone demanded of him and is becoming the leader of the team in attack. Against Lokomotiv he was again the best, despite not winning the goal award. He came after two consecutive doubles, but a spectacular hand from Guilherme left him without a goal. He offered a magnificent play with three cuts in the area that Suárez could not specify and again superclass details.

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The sides are also favored by this more offensive version of Atlético and players like Herrera they have been gaining prominence that they did not have last year. Going to the data, Atlético have finished more than their rival in seven of the nine official matches they have played. All except against Bayern and in the visit to Celta. In all the games except those two there were more than 10 attempts at goal (in Balaídos there were 9) and against Granada they reached 10 shots on goal (Against Villarreal there were 13 shots, but none on goal). In the last four games they have scored nine goals and in total there are 17 goals in nine games (almost two per game).

More control of matches

Regarding possession, Atlético have had the ball more than the rival in five of those nine games played so far (Granada, 55%; Huesca, 63%; Villarreal, 54%; Osasuna, 55% and Lokomotiv, 65%). Not even against Bayern did it drop below 40% of possession, showing itself as a more dominant team and with more desire to be the protagonist in matches. More possession is a joy for footballers like Koke or João Félix, that always grow with the ball. Another of the most drastic changes in the team is to see how, after getting ahead on the scoreboard, It seeks to increase income instead of retreating onto one's own field. Something that was proven to be successful against Osasuna, Betis or Granada, where winning did not prevent them from going for more goals and capturing their superiority above the scoreboard mainly in the second half.

Saul and Kondogbia Lace

Saúl returned to the team in Russia yesterday after missing five games due to discomfort. Entered starting by Koke, playing ahead of Herrera with more freedom to step on the rival area and forming a line of three with the Mexican and Llorente on several occasions. He was replaced at halftime by the captain, returning to the plan of the last games. Hours before, Atlético had announced the signing of Kondogbia, muscle, power, recovery, shot and ball exit from the pivot. Simeone will have a difficult time fitting everyone in, with a very competitive squad where each player will have to give their best to have minutes.

The doubt lies between continuing to play with a double pivot with four offensive players ahead or seeing Koke on the wing or Saúl on one side with a round trip plus a pivot from behind, with Kondogbia, Herrera and Torreira fighting for a place. Everything will depend on the moment of form, the rival in front and the type of game that the coach poses. What seems clear is that this Atlético wants to be the protagonist with the ball again, reach the rival area more and supply balls to Suárez. Although it may cause greater fragility behind, Anything that goes through promoting João Félix seems like a great idea.