Yannick Carrasco is a new player since his return from China in January. And not because before it was not decisive, since He had always left pills of his quality, overflow and finish. His big change has come in his maturity and understanding of the game.
The Belgian has returned from his Asian journey aware to follow Simeone's guidelines to the letter, And if they happen to have to help Hermoso and act as a lane, that's how he carries them out. Also, what Carrasco has always had is that he grows in the big games. In his first stage he had already scored in the Champions League final against Madrid, in groups of the European competition to beat Bayern or had left great games against Barcelona. In this second stage, he continues on the same path, but also contributing piecework.
Something that made it clear against Barça itself, scoring the winning goal, or against the Germans, where it was a constant toothache leaving an exceptional physical display. Carrasco is always there to lend a hand in the new defense formed by three centrals, with Hermoso displaced to the left, but also is the first to throw the uncheck in attack. His physical condition allows him to drive practically from area to area and against Bayern was the first to join for give a solution to João Félix or Correa when the team was more locked in.
With the Portuguese he has begun to develop a connection that is pure illusion for Atlético. They have the same zone of influence where they feel most comfortable, shifted slightly to the left to control and face, but they don't get in the way. Carrasco and João Félix understand each other perfectly and when one throws the unmarking long the other goes down to receive to take that space. And if two gamers understand each other like this, the team is the great beneficiary. Are already several plays with precious details among them, heels, left, spurs, where there is no culmination for details, but that association is being strengthened.
A less individualistic Carrasco, who looks more for the team and that thanks to that is empowered individually, since he is one of the great players of this beginning of the course. If his march to China seemed like a premature withdrawal, with 27 years he has returned in a sweet moment and wanting to show that he is qualified to be the key in an Atlético determined to fight for everything.