Simeone has found an unsuspected side of guarantees. Atlético had a total dependence on Lodi on the left last season when the trials of Hermoso and Saúl did not work and went the youth squad Manu Sánchez the one that ended up giving the Brazilian a break after the competition stopped, which luckily for all did not suffer any major injury.
A good role from Manu that it helped him to stay in the first team after Caio Henrique, the first candidate for the position, left transferred to Monaco. The new '3' was very close to going on loan to Osasuna, but the Brazilian's departure positioned him as the replacement designed for Lodi. But nevertheless, there is something that does not convince SimeoneSince the 50 minutes in Balaídos, where he assisted Luis Suárez in the first goal, he has not participated again.
And Cholo has returned to give Hermoso minutes there, with a much improved result. So much so that in recent weeks he has alternated titles with Lodi, playing all three league games at number 22 (Betis, Osasuna and Cádiz), while the Brazilian started in the eleven in the Champions League (Bayern, Salzburg and Lokomotiv). When Hermoso is on the left side, the team changes its tactical positioning, since the Madrilenian in attack usually stays closing behind with Giménez and Savic and allowing total freedom to Koke in the middle and to Trippier on the opposite side. When Lodi is the starter, the Englishman has to measure his ascents on the right much more so as not to unbalance the team on defense.
Hermoso is showing strong defense and putting down his good pass to break lines or change the game. In their five starts this season, Atlético has only conceded one goal, against Osasuna with Budimir's header. “What makes me most happy is that Those players who last year had fewer minutes like Hermoso, Herrera or Llorente, today are being very important in the team“Simeone explained after thrashing Cádiz.
With the difficulties of getting minutes in the center of the defense by the presence of Giménez, Savic and Felipe, Hermoso has been strengthened on the left side as a variant that balances the team behind and tilts the actions towards the other band. Lodi has already traveled to his country to play against Venezuela and Uruguay, (the night of November 17 to 18). Meanwhile, Hermoso aspires to maintain the position in the eleven during the training sessions of these two weeks thinking about him great game back to LaLiga against Barcelona (Saturday, November 21). The Madrilenian is another of the players who has evolved this season and is showing Simeone that he is in whatever position he is, he is prepared to fulfill and give performance to the team.