Felipe, waiting

Felipe Monteiro has returned to meet with the bench. The Brazilian started the season as the undisputed center-back for Simeone, completing the first three days of the League until having a first break in Vigo, where he entered at 50 minutes for Manu Sánchez. He would return to the eleven in Munich against Bayern, against Betis and against Salzburg until reaching the 580 minutes played out of 630.

However, the return of Giménez after overcoming the coronavirus and a muscle injury has made him lose his place. The Uruguayan has entered the team in a remarkable way, including a goal against Lokomotiv and Savic is immeasurable. The Montenegrin is the second field player who has played the most minutes (810), only surpassed by a Trippier who has played it all (900). Simeone left a message in the run-up to the match against Cádiz evaluating Felipe's last substitutions: “We always look for the best we can find for the game that we are going to face. We follow what the field shows, those who have fewer minutes must evolve at work to have more opportunities and those who have more should continue working. “

A message urging Felipe to improve in training, where Cholo has already made it clear on several occasions that it is very difficult for the Brazilian to get the state of optimal form. Last season began without counting for the coach until it evolved and with the injuries of Giménez and Savic he became essential, probably finishing as the best performing signing last season. This has started being very important, but without having that level of central practically insurmountable in the melee without the need for fouls, safe with the ball and excellent in the air game. He has left a dangerous failure in the Champions League, something that Cholo has not liked.

Felipe has disputed only one minute (at El Sadar) between Atlético's last three games and that of the Brazilian team against Venezuela. But he is aware that it will end up being important and that he has to catch that cruising speed to show his best side again. Savic did not play his match with Montenegro due to muscular discomfort and around the corner (next Saturday) Barcelona appears. Simeone has always advocated for internal competition to achieve the best version of Atlético, something that is now being seen in the center of the field, and he needs the best Felipe to have to slice his brains when choosing his starting centrals. The Brazilian does not give up and will try to reverse the situation to return to become immovable in the eleven mattress.