Atlético won at Old Trafford being a block like their best times. Simeone valued it, he was moved by it, although the brilliant choral performance was sustained on the great night of a few players who are not having their best season, but became giants at the right time. The most competitive version of Cholo’s men, in all lines, from the goalkeeper to the forwards.
The Oblak of always when he was expected
The first look leads to Oblak, indicated by his own companions as one of the heroes. The Slovenian, decisive on so many nights since he arrived in 2014, appeared when his team needed him most. He was not an exhibition like the ones at Anfield 2020 or Munich 2016, but he held his own stop by stop—five, even facing Elanga— and from there with bravery even to become strong in the area, its a big must of the season. In his gloves, blocking a corner kick, the game died. United thought of turning to centers and the Atletico goalkeeper denied it. The best Atleti starts with a great Oblak.
Lodi, from disappointment to being decisive
Lodi was not resurrected in Manchester, but he is one of the great reinforcements of this tie. After being in the background and seeming hopeless with the arrival of Reinildo, he surprised with his great match against United in Madrid and was confirmed at Old Trafford, from less to more, signing the winning goal, squeezing and giving solutions and air in the final stretch. Atleti have found a reliable value for the left wing when perhaps least expected.
Llorente, giant where they put it
Mark Llorente reminds more and more of the one who was one of the best footballers in Europe in the past season. His injuries have not allowed him to have continuity and the frequent changes of position have caused a drop in the figures. But 14 is rediscovering himself,Against Betis he was already a dagger and at Old Trafford he became a giant as a lane player, with certain arrivals of danger, such as the goal disallowed to João. It is again an essential for Simeone, and it will shine more when Vrsaljko and Wass return.
De Paul looks like the one from Argentina
De Paul started well, but its performance in recent months was far from what was expected. His adaptation to the locker room was not being easy either and everything added up so that the Argentine’s plans at Atlético went awry. That is why, for example, he ran out of minutes in the first leg. Against Betis he returned to eleven, but left a very bad first half, although he got into it later. He scored a goal for Cádiz and at Old Trafford he was one of the most brilliant footballers of Simeon’s. The first detail of him was a volley that demanded the best of De Gea, but then he was winning duels, recovering balls and pushing the team towards victory. From his feet the play of 0-1 is born. The 5 comes out reinforced and gets back on the train.
The captain vindicates himself after a difficult stage
Koke is essential for Simeone, but its performance has also dropped compared to last season. Part of the fans debates whether he has to be so fixed in Cholo’s plans and, after his bad game against Cádiz (45 ‘), he was one of the unknowns of the Old Trafford eleven. and the captain It was very good, especially after United’s initial rush. is a player Skilled at throwing vertical passes and that is appreciated by his teammates. If the physicist respects him, he will once again be capital for Cholo.
Herrera takes control of Atleti
Héctor Herrera did not revive at Old Trafford either: He has played all the last six games. It is fixed for Simeone already. The coach highlights from him the solutions he gives the team with the ball. He was the last of the midfielders a month and a half ago and it has even been confirmed that he will not be rojiblanco beyond June 30, but his commitment and his football mark him as one of the important players in this Atleti. It will be difficult to lower him from that pedestal.
Griezmann, partnership with João in the making
Griezmann returned to Atlético to live great nights like the one at Old Trafford. The Frenchman comes from an injury and acknowledged that against Cádiz he was not at all good, but in Manchester it emptied. He is one of the players who best understands what Simeone expects of them. His was the assistance to Lodi, a measured center, and then he worked in the 5-4-1, helping Llorente on the right, and trying to give the team an outlet by pausing when he played. in attack, Cholo begins to value the partnership he forms with João Félix and still has a lot of room for growth.