No obsession with Cristiano

Simeone began preparing for the match against Manchester United and the Atlético coach will make some changes with respect to the one he played against Osasuna. And in the tie there is a name that stands out: Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Real Madrid player, and that he had so many sports battles against the rojiblanco team. At Atlético they understand that Manchester United is much more than the Portuguese striker and around there Simeone begins to make his squad aware that the English team has more important footballers.

Savic, in an interview with AS, and Correa, in statements to TVE, admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo has been a player who has hurt Atlético in many of the derbies played. The rojiblanco defender admitted that he is a great player, but that they will have to be aware of the other offensive footballers of their rival and not only of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The focus of the match will be on the Portuguese, also in the stands. But Simeone wants the team to be oblivious to all the media noise that the striker will cause. Atlético, however, does seem to be taking defensive precautions. Against Osasuna, a stronger team was already seen behind, although they continued to concede some chances to the rival. Simeone rehearsed a team on Monday with three central defenders and two lanes (Vrsaljko, Savic, Felipe, Reinildo and Lodi). Giménez was not there, who after suffering from Covid played against Levante and Osasuna. We will see if he finally forms in the eleven or Cholo continues with the same ones with whom he rehearsed. At work on Monday, Simeone was concerned about closing all the interior corridors: Marcos Llorente and Kondogbia were key to helping the defensive line.

Cristiano Ronaldo is not obsessed. He is respected, how could it be otherwise with a player of his career, but nobody wants to neglect the positive things of the English team. Atlético, for its part, will play in attack with skillful footballers: Correa and João Félix. Associative players, who can create danger from below, no balls from above… The two of them, plus the rises of Marcos Llorente and Lodi, will be Atlético’s main offensive assets. And on the bench will be Griezmann and Luis Suárez.