Atlético saves the gifts

Atlético bottomed out against Levante and, fortunately, that hit had a rebound effect. The team clicked and made the cut against Osasuna, Manchester United and Celta. Beyond the results (two wins and one draw), the rojiblancos gave off good feelings, with a remarkable individual and collective performance and the impression of being a reliable block again. The Atleti looks like the Atleti again. Only one goal conceded, in an avoidable chain error against United, but which, coming from where it came from, knows very well in the locker room.

It hasn’t been three perfect dates, but the team has known how to complicate the paths to Oblak for rivals. None of the gifts from previous dates (Getafe, Valencia, Barça…). Nothing to lock yourself in your own area and concede. To the red and white’s misfortune, the team that intimidated him the least is the only one that has scored a goal against him in this shootout. Atleti put pressure on United and prevented him from spinning plays, and when he fell back he did so at a height where Cristiano and company could not hurt. Until the goal, minute 80, the red devils They didn’t shoot on goal.

Celta demanded two saves from Oblak and one more from Reinildo, savior under the crossbar. The Mozambican is one of the defensive assets of this Atlético. Simeone has joined the winter signing with Savic and Giménez in the line of three centrals on which the team is based. Reinildo doesn’t shine with the ball and has even had mistakes like United’s 1-1, but he is aggressive, forces mistakes and wins duels from below and above. Vrsaljko is also growing in this workwho when the team is placed in 4-4-2 closes the right wing and is practically insurmountable, especially firm in aerial balls.

A “different spirit” in the lateral centers

Atlético’s improvement is also seen in how they have faced one of their greatest fears in recent games: the lateral centers. Osasuna It is a team that bombards the area and, although they achieved several shots, Atleti made it difficult for them. United, with Cristiano as a battering ram, was unable. Oblak still does not impose himself in the area, especially in corner kicks, but the team does seem more concentrated, something that both Simeone and the players publicly demanded. According to the data collected athletic statshave been 75 clearances in the area in these three games.

Simeone valued the chip change after losing to the bottom team. “The team has a different spirit: intensity, aggressiveness, collective work, forcefulness in the areas…”, analyzed this Saturday after the 2-0 against Celta, the first time that he has linked two League games without conceding since last May. The technician knows that the objectives pass through be reliable at the back, not give away goals and, on the other hand, have the entire squad connected. The next exam is level, the visit to the Betisand there you must endorse everything displayed in the last appointments.