Atlético bottomed out in the match that had been postponed against Levante. The rojiblanco team wasted a unique opportunity to add three points and close the gap with Betis. And that night the alarms went off at Atlético, since the team barely had chances to defeat a rival who was better. Only in the final stretch of the match, and desperately, was Atlético able to score. Criticism intensified against Simeone and some ended his stage at the Madrid club.
Gil Marín, CEO of Atlético, ate the day after the game with Simeone and Berta. And later he went to the red and white facilities of Majadahonda. He asked the players “to win a League of five teams and 14 games”. Atlético seems different since the defeat against Levante and the results accompany them. He won in Pamplona, tied offering a good game against Manchester, and beat Celta. He conceded a goal in these three games. The rivals come to him, but they do not do it with such clarity. And, above all, the team does not offer gifts to its opponents. Celta locked up Atlético, but Oblak didn’t have to make any miraculous saves.
Simeone has incorporated less usual players and it has been the secondary ones who have taken a step forward: Vrsaljko, Herrera or Kondogbia have raised the level of internal competition in the squad. The Savics, Oblak, Koke, Giménez are the heavyweights of the team, but the others have appeared at the most opportune moment.
Vrsaljko has performed very well in these games, as has Herrera, who disappeared from the team for much of the season. Kondogbia did have minutes, although many of them as a central defender. The rapport between the last two has been vital to give the team another air in midfield. That commitment, that dedication, have infected the rest.
Reinildo has also been key to this kind of resurrection of the team. In defense he has been very serious, very reliable, despite Manchester United’s equalizer. Established as the theoretical third central defender, he has given wings to Lodi to be a dagger on the left. The same thing is supposed to happen when Carrasco also has minutes.
And João Félix has been another of the reasons why the team shows itself in a different way. The Portuguese scored a goal in Pamplona and assisted Luis Suárez in the 0-2. But Cholo ended up very happy with his delivery in defense, with his solidarity and commitment. He understands that he is one of the best with the ball at his feet, but now he begins to make that sacrifice on defense. Against Manchester he was the best, he scored a great goal and it was a nightmare for the English defenders. And against Celta he continued with his good line.
Now Griezmann returns, eager to contribute goals to the team. The competition is also great in attack, with João Félix, Correa, Griezmann, Luis Suárez… Cholo knows that he has gunpowder up front. But the key is behind. The key is that everyone understood that they had to put on the game overalls and leave the most attractive football for a more practical one… and that would give results.