Atlético returns to work. The 2020-21 LaLiga champion will start the preseason today with the bulk of his squad absent, after seven of the soccer players who starred in the success in the championship were cited for the Eurocup (Koke, Llorente, Trippier, Lemar, Carrasco, João Félix and Vrsaljko), five to the Copa América (Lodi, Felipe, Giménez, Luis Suárez and Correa, to those who would have to add De Paul) Y Herrera to the Gold Cup.
Simeone yes can count on the recent signing of Marcos Paulo, with options to be the substitute for Vitolo in the squad after the Canarian's departure to Getafe and it is expected that the first champions to go on vacation will be present, in the event of Oblak, Savic, Hermoso, Kondogbia, Grbic and Saúl, the latter two with options to move in this same market. El Cholo will have reinforcements with the return of their loaned players, with Saponjic, Arias and Manu Sánchez with first team card. In the case of Nehuén Pérez, has been summoned to play the Olympic Games. The Argentine coach will also turn to his quarry to become strong and start preparing a season where the great dream is to repeat success.
During today, the rojiblancos footballers will submit to the pertinent medical examinations before putting himself in the hands of Profe Ortega. Next Sunday the squad will take Heading to Los Angeles de San Rafael to continue with his preparation for a week, a tradition that began in the 1972-73 academic year and where the Uruguayan physical trainer squeezes his footballers so that they can take kilometers on his legs. Atlético has scheduled five friendly matches: the traditional Jesús Gil y Gil Memorial on July 23; against Salzburg on July 28 and against Wolfsburg on July 31; the Carranza Trophy on August 4 visiting Cádiz and against Inter Milan on August 7 in Israel, a week before starting LaLiga.
International players will be incorporated as their presence in tournaments with their national teams has ended, where all of them reached at least the round of 16 and some continue to compete. Felipe suffered a partial tear in the external lateral ligament of his right knee and he is already working on his rehabilitation, hoping to get ready for the start of the League, when Atlético will make their debut visiting Celta. João Félix for his part had surgery on his right ankle and the idea of the coaching staff also happens to have him available for the beginning of the course, after dragging around for several months. Atlético kicks off the season in an atypical summer, full of absences and with the opportunity for young values when trying to convince Simeone of his abilities.