Simeone has in Marcos Llorente a boy for everything. A footballer who can fulfill any role on the field, although he has shown that where you are most comfortable is starting from the center of the field with freedom to deploy in attack.
Cholo took him off the pivot when he saw his great characteristics to play closer to the rival goal, with speed, strength, definition, uncheck … But, if he has made him a total player in attack, he also pulls him when the team's needs are different. With Trippier's withdrawal due to suspension until the end of February, Atlético has been lame in the right lane. Carrasco shone in the position against Valencia, but immediately contracted the coronavirus and has remained the last two games out. In addition, the Belgian has always stood out more on the left. And Vrsaljko has not been reunited since his last knee operations.
With a team plagued by casualties, Simeone has opted for give Llorente the right lane in the last two games. Against Cádiz until the break, where the entry of Vrsaljko freed him from the most defensive and corner facet of the field and against Celta also the first 45 minutes, when after the break he went directly to play as a winger. Just before the whistle that ended the first half he left a fantastic assist for Suárez to tie the game, his sixth goal pass of the season in the league that places him tied with Correa as the top assistant in the competition.
As a side he was uncomfortable, but as always he was disciplined and without leaving the script at any time. In a defense of four he had to be very attentive to Savic's back, reaching to cut several lateral centers and even being about to save Ferreyra's shot that meant Celta's goal in the last minute. Obviously in that position he loses a lot of radius of action, he is out of place and performs far from his best version. Llorente is much happier in offensive positions and he also adds much more for Atlético. But its versatility is undeniable, ability to adapt to any circumstance and to drain for the good of the team and for what his coach asks for.