Stop for marathon runner Saúl

Saúl Ñíguez started the month of March celebrating eight years since his debut with Atlético's first team. On March 8, 2012, at just 17 years old, the midfielder entered the Vicente Calderón pitch in the 84th minute to give Koke rest and take his first steps as a mattress maker in the round of 16 of the Europa League against Besiktas (3-1).

A very significant substitution between two of Simeone's untouchables. If the captain was irreplaceable during his injury leave, Saúl directly has lost just 90 minutes in the entire season and it was by sanction in the tie in Granada (1-1) after seeing his fifth yellow card in the League against Espanyol. That is to say, the '8' has been on the field in 3,420 of the 3,510 minutes that Atlético has played this course among all competitions, with three extensions included (final of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid, Copa del Rey against Cultural Leonesa and Champions against Liverpool).

A physical wonder that has slowed down his progression, like that of the other footballers, due to the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the planet. An indefatigable Saúl that besides being indisputable for Cholo it is his wild card on the field. A patch that feels more comfortable playing midfield, as it has done regularly throughout the year, but can cover any of the bands, the left side, as he did again in the last league game against Sevilla and who has also come to exercise as central.

The break can serve Saúl to recharge batteries and reach the end of the season like new when the competitions restart. In the last match played, the midfielder again made clear at Anfield that his physical deployment is essential for the team. Keep in mind that Saúl has played more than Oblak himself. Slovenian meta too He has been in eleven in 37 of Atlético's 38 games this year, resting by technical decision against Cultural Leonesa, but unlike '8' he did have to be substituted in one, at Reale Arena after suffering a hard blow to the auction that ended up assuming the second goal of Real Sociedad. In total Oblak has played 3,366 minutes, the second most of the team.

The podium in terms of participation Thomas closes it, although already at a wide distance from the two leaders with 2,859 minutes. The signing that has played the most in Atlético is Philip, the great feeling of the team that has become a real wall in the center of defense. So what the Brazilian started the course as a central quarter in the squad and playing only one minute between the first five games, but since he managed to make a place for himself in the starting lineup, there is no one who threatens his power behind. Felipe is fourth on the list with 2,791 minutes. They come from behind Koke (2,605), Lodi (2,500), Morata (2,303), Correa (2,248), Trippier (2,187) and João Félix (2,114), all of them above 2,000 minutes.

Saúl, like the rest of the staff, works alone at home so as not to lose an iota of his condition in a way that has allowed him to always be on the pitch except for disciplinary reasons. Saúl himself pointed out last Thursday in AS that “like everyone. We have no other choice. We have to be responsible and pay attention. You don't have to leave home at all. It will have consequences, that is clear. But you have to have great mental strength to endure and not leave the home. “Now cross off the days to be able to continue accumulating minutes and kilometers as one of the most essential pieces for Atlético de Simeone.