Atlético will end 2020 in a sweet moment, with happy football, inspired players and a feeling of being able to fight for titles at the end of the season. A situation opposite to that of a year ago. The rojiblanco team entered in December 2019 occupying sixth place after being defeated at home against Barcelona, with worrisome feelings and harsh criticism for a new squad, with eight signings where many were finding it difficult to adapt and show their best version. Basic players and heavyweights had left the locker room (Griezmann, Godín, Juanfran, Filipe, Rodrigo, Lucas …) and Cholo and Andrea Berta got down to work to replace the talent drain.
But Simeone was clear: “You have to know the transition year we are in. Patience and tranquility”, the technician asked at the end of that meeting that was increasingly distancing the Blaugranas in the classification. A transition announced with great fanfare by Cholo from the first moment and what was happening for gradually engaging those signings until they get their best position and version in the team. Something that takes time, but a year later you can ensure that it has been completed successfully.
And it is that nobody could imagine Marcos Llorente's explosion as an offensive player. Still as a pivot, he started a 2020 that has changed his career and where, in the absence of the game against Getafe, the 25-year-old is a rojiblanco who has participated in the most goals in the year with eleven points and eight assists. In addition, the deserved recognition has arrived with the National Team, where Llorente dreams of being in Luis Enrique's plans for the European Championship. At Atlético he has become an all-rounder, capable of occupying any position on the attack front and solving any need the team has.
Another who looks at the Euro is a beautiful which has taken longer to shine, but this year is leaving a fantastic level in the line of three centrals when last year their participation had been testimonial since February. The Madrilenian has been uncovered with his ability to get the ball, ability to occupy the left side and two key goals against Salzburg and Real Sociedad.
After Llorente, the player with the most relevance in the face of goal has been a João Félix (13 goals and five assists in 2020) that in this beginning of the course he is showing all his talent and ability to lead the mattress attack. If from certain sectors his level was doubted in his worst months of last season, the Portuguese has shown that at 21 years has a lot of quality in the boots. He is the great hope for the future of the club and has settled in the Portuguese team. Simeone has worked with the '7' to find that position where he is more decisive in the final meters, from the second line of attack and freedom to fall to the left wing.
In the double pivot, Herrera has taken a giant step forward in the course, Trippier has polished the right lane until his sanction and Felipe and Lodi are having less prominence than last year, but they have been making it clear that they have a level for this team. Only Saponjic is out of the rotation. Seven signings that have passed the transition year and with patience have become fundamental pieces for a team with the right to dream.