EI Atlético is going through a great moment of form and internal competition is at its peak. A blessing and a headache for Simeone, who has to rack his brains in every lineup, leaving top-level players on the bench.
With the Lemar's huge quality leap, now untouchable in the eleven (he has seven consecutive starts in the League), the top positions are very expensive. And that Cholo is betting on increasingly offensive schemes. Against Valencia, Kondogbia, Torreira, Saúl and Herrera, the most positional midfielders, were substitutes and the last two did not get to enter. This time it was the opportunity to a João Félix who had accumulated three consecutive substitutions in the League (from December 30 against Getafe). Correa offers a great back and forth job closer to the band and Lemar has got used to playing on the inside.
However, the Portuguese is not satisfied. He wants to go back to being the starter of the season that led the rojiblanco team with his quality in attack. And he more than took advantage of his opportunity against Valencia. From the first moment he was active, vertical with the ball to drive and be a danger before the goal. At the exit of a corner he got the tying goal with an acrobatic shot beating Correira on the mark and beating Jaume. The first of the team in this luck so far this season.
Atlético needed victory and from a great collective play, with a key pass from Hermoso breaking lines, received João Félix to find the uncheck of a Luis Suárez with whom it is increasingly understood better that he unbalanced the scoreboard. The '7' added one goal and one assist at game time who was on the field, since after getting ahead Simeone wanted reinforce the lane protected by Carrasco with the entry of Correa by the Portuguese, which helps him feel important in the team again.
Simeone already indicated that Atleti needs him in his best version, and the 21-year-old seems determined to get back to it. When João Félix has the ball at his feet, everything seems easier. It feels important and is the most different player in the squad in those meters. Of course, Simeone asks him to also empty himself in defense and the player knows that, with this competition, he will have to do it to stay in the eleven.
He has already equaled his figures from last season
With his goal against Valencia, João Félix has reached six goals in the League, same figure as in all last season. Together with Llorente, it is the team's second top scorer in the league after Suárez (12). Also, accumulate five assists, the best of the team with his own Llorente, Trippier and Correa and four more goal passes than last year. In Champions he adds three more goals, which also equals their numbers for the 2019-20 season. A player who, after his transition, is beginning to squeeze all his talent.