On November 28, Atlético visited Mestalla and Simeone rotated until giving the keys to his midfield to a Lemar that was beginning to gain prominence in a red-and-white season that already looked very good. “Lemar plays very well. We do not have footballers in the squad who have speed and the construction that he has. Hopefully we can give him the confidence he needs to pass on what he has to us.”Simeone explained after one of the best performances by the Frenchman in many months.
El Cholo never lost confidence in his player, he knew his potential and the need to find the position on the field where he could develop his game. And practically a year later, Lemar is a completely different footballer. The Frenchman rounded off his fantastic start to the season with a stellar performance against Barcelona. A great goal to open the scoring and a luxury assist from Luis Suárez that causes his football growth to also have that relevance in front of the goal that the Argentine coach has asked for so much.
And is that the '11' was one of the great beneficiaries of the change of system that Simeone carried out when he placed a line of three centrals, two lanes and three interiors. In that position with freedom in the middle, Lemar has managed to shine, entering more and more into play, breaking lines and showing a speed of legs and head that make him have a more gait than his peers at this start of the course. The 25-year-old had already been the hero against Espanyol with his goal in the 98th minute and added his first assist of the course in the league debut against Celta for Correa's first goal. If the competition in attack is increasing, Lemar has grown to become an essential player at Atlético.
The team noticed his injury excessively, with no one to put that magic and speed during his absence. Lemar was injured in the first half of the game against Porto (0-0) and was not available against Athletic (0-0), Getafe (1-2) and Alavés (1-0), where Atlético was very stuck and could only take one victory. But it came back as it had gone. His entry into Milan was fundamental to get a capital comeback in the Champions League, participating in the first goal with a great send to space for Lodi to assist Griezmann and causing the penalty of the second goal.
And against Barça he returned to eleven and completed the entire match. The best moments of Atlético were born from his connection with João Félix and the two very talented goals were created between the two footballers and the appearance of Suárez in the final meters. Lemar also worked a lot mentally with Simeone to be able to transfer that confidence that allowed him to show his quality in training, but not in games.
And right now he is a footballer who knows what he plays and believes in his talent. Atlético has found the best Lemar and He is a differential footballer for quality, effort and now he also contributes in the final meters. Midfielder has not entered the list of the French national team, which was published when he was yet to return from his physical problems and will stay in Madrid to continue training with his teammates. He wants this to be his season and at the moment he is one of Atlético's best footballers so far this year. Lemar plays very well. Simeone knew it and the player has worked hard to make it clear to the rest of the world.