Simeone has recovered his defense of four in recent games. After playing for much of the season with three center-backs, plus Trippier and Carrasco as lanes whenever they were available, the casualties of Suárez, João Félix and Lemar diminished Atlético's attack and led to Cholo needed to accumulate more troops near the rival area.
And there have been several players reinforced by this return to the original system, but mainly three: Lodi in his best version as a left back, Herrera sending from the pivot and Carrasco stepping on the rival area with much more assiduity. The Belgian is used to contributing as a lane, with a lot of work on the wing, constant help to the center-back outlined to the left, and back and forth to make himself big on his side, something he also does with the national team. However, when he can participate with fewer defensive responsibilities, Carrasco has once again been deadly in the rival area.
During the last three games he has started playing inside, with a lot of freedom of movement and against Eibar and Huesca sometimes standing as a reference above or practically extreme with the support of Saul outlined at his side. And in the three games he has seen a goal, in addition to adding two assists. If in all LaLiga he accumulated two goals (Celta and Barcelona), Against Betis, Eibar and Huesca he has expanded his scoring notch. Against the Verdiblancos as soon as the game started, taking a ball in the area, dribbling Bravo and the defenders who came in his wake to score very calmly. On that occasion, Hermoso was the left-back, covering Carrasco's back, although with less presence on his climbs.
With Lodi at its best, Atlético have greatly strengthened their attacks on the left flank. The brazilian constantly raising the band and understanding very well with Carrasco, with the ability to seek to participate inside or throw the uncheck to Lodi, that forms a great partnership with him. In the win against Eibar put his stamp with another very classy goal, beating Dmitrovic on the spout, pausing to dribble the defensive aid and scoring on an empty goal. In addition, he assisted Correa in the second goal and Llorente in the fifth. And against Huesca he closed the duel taking advantage of a fantastic attendance of the '14' and culminating his gift.
A spectacular level playing closer to the area that opens the debate about his position now that the troops in the front return. Whether to return to the Carrasco lane, which contributes so much work and overflow, or to continue with that Carrasco who treads the rival area many more times with tremendous success. What there is no doubt is that Simeone is the great beneficiary of recovering the best version of the Belgian, whom the coronavirus and injuries had prevented him from having continuity in his game in recent months. The best Carrasco has returned.