Simeone takes refuge in 4-4-2

When things go wrong, few things better than taking refuge in your place of trust. Wherever one feels safer. AND Simeone, after several weeks of yes but no and in the constant search for the ideal plan, has sheltered again in the classic 4-4-2. The system on which he made a giant Atlético and that he had put aside, but which has not disappeared from his manual, although with important tweaks.

Against Cádiz he formed with that scheme, but It wasn’t the stiff and rocky 4-4-2 of years ago, when propping up the middle with three or even four half centers. At Mirandilla, as well as against Milan, it was an asymmetrical and very flexible 4-4-2, taking advantage of the versatility of some of its pieces.

A) Yes, Llorente had to play the right back, but took advantage of that Lemar, who was ahead, went inside with total freedom and left the lane, so Boil it covered his back, as with Spain. And on the 14th he thanked him with good races and his first attendance of the course. On the left, Carrasco was closer to the attack, although he helped Hermoso against Salvi’s attacks, such as when they act as a lane and center back at 5-3-2. And in attack, Griezmann also moved as he likes. Against Cádiz he formed with the same eleven players as against Milan, but in the Champions League the arrangement was different. Then who fell to the right wing was De Paul and not Lemar, especially in attack, because in defense he did close more with the line of five.

Waiting for Trippier

That is to say, the 4-4-2 is not gone, although it reappears with nuances. On the one hand, because it hardly has sides. On the left, the Cholo does not finish trusting LodI started, and in Cádiz it was not even available. To the right Trippier is recovering from an injury, Vrsaljko does not have the confidence of the coach either and Llorente acts as ‘2’ on guard, position that does not fall in love with him. But what Simeone likes is the flexibility of the scheme, even within the same party. In times of doubt, any certainty is positive. The 4-4-2 is back …