Few could imagine at the beginning of the season, when the best squad in Atlético’s history was discussed, that Simeone would play the Champions League round of 16 with players like Herrera, Kondogbia, Vrsaljko or Lodi in the eleven. A priori behind key pieces in the template such as Koke, De Paul, Carrasco or Trippier, when Cholo has needed them, unit B has shown that it is ready to increase internal competition.
“Everyone has to be prepared, the time will come when they get their chance.” That has been the coach’s message whenever he has been asked about his wardrobe. And Elanga’s final 1-1 should not cover up the response of these players who vindicated themselves by eating Manchester United. even up front, formed by João Félix and Correaone can speak of a couple called a priori to have a more secondary role behind Griezmann and Suárez, who waited from the bench.
In the case of Lodi, his presence in the eleven as a left lane came forced by Carrasco’s sanction (he will be out for two more games in the Champions League) and a Lemar who arrived after six days in isolation by coronavirus. And the Brazilian probably left the best match of him with the Atlético shirt. Lodi put in a wonderful cross for João Félix to open the scoring and it was a nightmare for Lindelöf with his good work in the pressure and the unchecking behind yesterday’s right back, who was overwhelmed. Without neglecting his defensive work and with Reinildo covering his back when he deployed in attack, the Brazilian showed that he is prepared to act as a lane in a five-man defense and that it can be very vertical and incisive near the rival area.
Renan Lodi, during the match against Manchester United.
JUAN MEDINA (REUTERS)
And if United concentrates stars and millions in midfield, Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and company were completely annulled with the deployment and work of Héctor Herrera and Kondogbia, with the collaboration of Llorente thrown to the right wing. Between the Mexican and the international pivot for the Central African Republic they recovered 20 balls, ten each. They were a rock in the double pivot, they put calm, ball output, intensity, energy and a glue so that the team did not break at any time. Herrera continued with the line shown in Pamplona, where the light of the rojiblanco midfielder was, and he once again left a great version with the ball to break lines and take over the match (41 completed passes, the most of the team). Kondogbia recovered his best version, he stole very high, he ate Pogba, he won 71.4%! of the 14 melee duels in which it was measuredcompleted 30 passes (the second most) and avoided a yellow card that would have prevented him from participating in the second leg.
Simeone was also very satisfied with the Vrsaljko’s performance as a right winger, blocking Sancho, becoming strong against Cristiano and completing Cholo’s mission when Oblak was looking for him from above so that the Croatian would win the duels with Shaw. His presence frees Llorente from having to act as part of the defense and even the Croatian was able to score in a play where he crashed into the crossbar. Vrsaljko is in good physical condition and is having continuity, his greatest difficulty at Atlético, and its growth has added to the mattress defensive improvement. Four players a priori substitutes, but against Manchester United they showed that they are prepared to be important in Simeone’s schemes.