Lemar turns 25 with the Atlético train still waiting

Thomas Lemar celebrated his 25th anniversary today with the dream of being important at Atlético still in mind. The Frenchman arrived at the club in the summer of 2018 as World Champion in Russia and had some first stellar appearances by rojiblanco (in the European Super Cup against Real Madrid and with a great game in Getafe). However, all the qualities of the player seemed to evaporate as the matches went by.

Lemar was losing place in the onces of Simeone and if in his first season he had achieved three goals and six assists in 43 games (2,608 minutes), last season was completely Void in the face of goal in the 29 games in which he participated (1,147). More than an entire campaign without scoring or assisting for the second most expensive signing in club history (70 million for 70% of your pass) where the French seemed to have lost all daring and performance that he had shown in Monaco.

But against Salzburg, Lemar replaced Suárez when the team most needed a goal and assisted João Félix to make the final 3-2 that puts Atlético ahead in the group to be in the round of 16. Since his goal pass to Griezmann on April 24, 2019, curiously also in a 3-2 at Wanda Metropolitano although on that occasion against Valencia, 552 days had passed, a year and a half, without Lemar being decisive in a goal.

Simeone hopes that now it can be a turning point that returns a good version of the player who seemed to contribute so much to his signing. He is still young and has quality, but he is not able to show it. Perhaps the most offensive game that Atlético has been developing this season can favor their participation and their best qualities. This season he has participated in eight games, although only in two, against Celta and Betis as a starter. Lemar accumulates 80 matches as rojiblanco and with 20 more will have a presence in the Paseo de las Leyendas. something that for the moment has not been close to being. Of course, there is still time.