Atlético continues to be the leader of LaLiga, but with Real Madrid and Barça on the heels of one and two points, respectively. The draw against Betis confirms that Simeone's team is not at its best. Not only at the sporting level, but also in other issues: injuries, covid, unexpected moments like Dembélé's dizziness … Given all this, the Argentine coach tries to calm the atmosphere: “I'm going game by game and I'm not going to change. I love this moment, I love it. It's resistance. “
The point cushion of the initial leg is lost. Atleti reached 50 points (out of 57 possible) in the first 19 league games to 17 (out of 33) in the last 11. Some data that leaves the leader on the ropes. Everything must be said: they continue to depend on themselves, but the feelings do not invite optimism. In fact, quite the opposite. This situation has become a kind of horror movie where the end can be catastrophic.
Free fall also lies in the factor of bad luck off the field. Atlético has been the team with the most cases of LaLiga coronavirus: Hermoso, Carrasco, João Félix, Herrera, Suárez, Carrasco, Lodi, Herrera, João, Lemar and Dembélé, are some of the most prominent along with Simeone. In addition, the FIFA sanction to Trippier, last minute injuries like Lemar in Villamarín do not help the leader.
No kickbacks, injuries, refereeing …
Saúl, Lodi, Vrsaljko, Felipe, Kondogbia, Torreira, Vitolo or Dembélé they are not at their best. None of them contributes one more march than, possibly, Costa did. The Argentine coach has always given maximum confidence to a solid block, where there have not been large rotations. That bet on his own has hurt a bench characterized by having few opportunities.
Injuries don't help either. Suárez says goodbye to the next three games: Eibar, Huesca and Athletic due to an injury to his left leg. This injury modifies the short-term roadmap of a Suárez that had several pending challenges for the next matches: surpass Falcao's 24 goals in one season and be able to match Messi as LaLiga's 'Pichichi' with 23 goals.
In the case of other proper names the list goes on. Lemar was not at Benito Villamarín due to some discomfort on the back of the thigh at the last minute. In fact, He aimed to start and is a sensitive loss for Simeone waiting to know if it is serious. João Felix It is another of the more complicated cases: the Portuguese received a blow from Mandi when he was shooting at the door. The rojiblanco player remained lying on the ground and tried to force in the second half, but without success. Finally, he requested the change to the minute of the resumption and entered his place also had to be retired to give entry to Vrsaljko.
On April 6, the International Union of Peñas del Atlético ruled on the arbitration of Gil Manzano against Sevilla. In the same statement, several important points were explained in which it is considered that they harmed the club: “What happened has not caught us by surprise and proof of this is that our president already warned in the article published last Friday in the section 'The Amphitheater', entitled 'The conspiracy of fools', put us on guard against what Indeed, we are already verifying that “the hand that rocks the cradle” has set the machinery in motion to avoid any possibility that Atleti could contest the title on equal terms “.
A message of vindication
On April 9, the players trained with a banner from the fans: “Against everything and everyone. Forward champion.” A motto that had been talked about as a result of the controversial arbitration of Gil Manzano before the Seville. Said banner was tied on the outside at one of the training grounds.
Within the dressing room they also believe that way and that pressure helps them to trust their aspirations and try to become stronger in the face of adversity. “We are still first. We have casualties, but it is no excuse. We have a great squad and we are having a great season. It is all a mental issue, the illusion that we have to win. That is what motivates us, more than the strength. We feel We have a great squad, great players … It's a shame to have so many casualties, but if we are strong in mind, we will reach the goal, “said Koke as soon as the game ended.