Atlético has a dagger on its left wing. A footballer capable of facing any rival who gets ahead, leave for individual talent and go down to defend on the next play as if it were a pure lane player. And, furthermore, now Carrasco has assumed responsibility from the penalty spot for two goalsagainst Real Madrid and Espanyol, which have given the team some basic points in the fight for Champions positions.
In the derby that Carrasco of the big games was seen again, the player with the most resources to take down the most powerful defenses. It is no coincidence that in each confrontation against Real Madrid or Barcelona the Belgian is always one of the great highlights. Against the white team, he began concentrating Atlético’s attacks, very open in the left profile, with fewer defensive responsibilities thanks to the presence of Reinildo from behind as a winger, a sure thing in the work of recovery and intelligent to leave space for the Belgian, who was already on his own to wreak havoc on the rival defense.
Just start, Carrasco was already warning that he wanted to be the protagonist. A forced corner, a play with several dribbles where his shot went off grazing the post or a forced yellow to Lucas Vázquez that he did not see the way to stop the Belgian other than with a strong tackle. With the help of VAR, the referee decreed a penalty after half an hour of the match and Carrasco picked up the ball to be the one to shoot.
In the last mattress victory, also at the Metropolitano, the 28-year-old player had already taken on the challenge, on that occasion with much more tension, since occurred after the final whistle and again with the interception of the video referee. He tricked Lunin as he had already done with Diego López at the end of the match to show that he is in the most mature stage of his career also when it comes to assuming the role from eleven meters.
And in the second half Carrasco’s presence was once again a nightmare for Lucas and the rest of the Madrid defense. A shot from above and crashing with the wood prevented him from crowning his great performance with a double. The winger also generated four scoring chances with his assists, the most of the match. As the score was not closed, the team was backing down to protect their treasure from the first half. And there Carrasco is also a sure thing collaborating first with Reinildo and later with Felipe already in a line of five to block the attempts of Ancelotti’s team, who concentrated their attacks on the other band with Vinicius.
“Carrasco is very important for us when he is at the pace he had today, with a great job, personality to kick the important and defining penalty that put us well in the game. It speaks of his personality, we need him in this way and with regularity”, explained Simeone after the match. The Belgian has played 3,060 minutes in the 41 games he has participated (He missed three in the Champions League due to suspension, another in the League due to the accumulation of cards and two due to coronavirus). Only he, Oblak (4,320), Koke (3,087) and Llorente (3,078) have broken the 3,000 barrier. Despite Newcastle’s interest in getting his services in winter, Carrasco is essential for this Atlético. In the best moment of his career, focused, defining (he has six goals and six assists) and with work as a flag, the Belgian is the sharpest stinger of the rojiblanco team. A player who is worth and deserves to play in the Champions League.