If there is a footballer who did not come at all well the break was Felipe. Atlético returned to a good level, with rhythm, with a goal, but it cost the central defender. An untimely muscular injury made him lose his step and Giménez and Savic took advantage of it to settle. So, the Brazilian went from being one of the most outstanding footballers of the team until March (for many, the best with Oblak) to have a much more secondary role. In the decisive date, against Leipzig, he had to settle for playing a couple of minutes and as a forward.
To Felipe, 31 years old, it also cost him at the beginning of the course. The strength of Giménez and Savic prevented him from having opportunities, but as soon as he had them, he convinced. In the first five games of the course he played one minute. He began to have the confidence of Cholo until he entered in October to never leave again: 27 complete games, except for one that was lost due to suspension. And then the competition stopped. And the streak of the central too.
Felipe did not find the way he had and some muscular discomfort weighed him down when the competition went at a fast pace of two days a week. The Brazilian lost the site. Until the break, he was the second Atlético footballer with the most minutes, after Oblak; Since the competition was resumed, there are 15 teammates who played more. But Cholo's confidence is intact. His performance is beyond doubt, but Felipe's displeasure will no longer have a rematch until the next season.
The level quartet that Simeone wanted
Simeone has always given importance to having an important defensive block, in quantity and quality. Last summer, Captain Godín left, the chief of defense throughout the Cholo era, and Lucas, seated, upwards and versatile for the center and left back. Replacing them was a major challenge and Felipe and Hermoso arrived. The Portuguese managed that neither of the two who came out was missed and soon convinced the coaching staff and the fans. The former Espanyol, despite some slip, has also complied. In principle you have all although, if it were to make a cashier, questions will be answered by Hermoso. In the reserve, in addition, there is the Argentine Nehuén Pérez, 20 years old, who has been on loan at Famalicao.