Geoffrey Kondogbia continues to enter Atlético's schemes very little by little. Simeone is supplying his appearances in the League, participating in the five days of the team since his signing, but always jumping from the bench and scoring his top in the 27 minutes played against Valladolid.
The former Valencia player arrived very late, His incorporation was announced on November 3, the extra month that Atlético had on the verge of running out to be reinforced by the exit on the horn of Thomas. The Ghanaian left for Arsenal on the last market day (October 5) depositing the amount of your termination clause (€ 50M) and further fueled the system change carried out by Simeone, with a line of three centrals and a more creative double pivot in front. Curiously, Thomas has surpassed in the three days that he remained as rojiblanco in more than 100 minutes to Kondogbia in its first five (199 by 93).
But it is known to all that any signing that arrives at Atlético needs an acclimatization period to adapt to Simeone's schemes and demands. Kondogbia has left good details in the minutes that he has been participating, providing muscle, recovery and touch of the ball. Against Real Madrid he replaced Suárez with the match practically lost, but tried to equalize the forces with a midfield that had surpassed the rojiblanco from the first minute.
In addition, the international footballer for the Central African Republic has had the handicap of not being able to be registered in the Champions League until January (You can already participate in the round of 16 against Chelsea), which subtracted continuity leaving him out of the midweek calls. But now comes the Cup, a competition in which Kondogbia can participate and Before the Cardassar could arrive his first title like rojiblanco. The '4' has never been from the game, but he has been surpassing Torreira in the rotation, still not in his best form after overcoming the coronavirus, and Herrera's unfortunate injury in the derby opens the door for more minutes.
Kondogbia seeks to be more of a protagonist and the first step is to stand out in every minute that Simeone gives him. Saúl is not going through his best moment and Koke is spanning many minutes. The French-born midfielder could occupy the double pivot in the Cup next to Torreira himself, another footballer who wants to add. The Uruguayan was a starter at the first change, but in recent days he has had few appearances, with the return of Herrera and the two weeks that he had to be away for contracting the concentrated coronavirus with his team. Simeone always advocates internal competition to improve the team and Kondogbia and Torreira want to reinforce it by putting their candidacy for eleven on the table. The Cup may be your great opportunity.