The forced leadership of Joao Felix at Atlético de Madrid

  • Take gallons in opposition to Lokomotiv after his arrival as successor to Griezmann
  • Simeone praises him, however invitations him to enhance his affiliation with Morata
  • His stability remains to be low: 4 targets in 16 video games and 1,100 minutes
Joao Felix catches the ball earlier than throwing the penalty in opposition to Lokomotiv. Photograph: Getty

Since arriving in June, all the pieces that has surrounded Joao Felix at Atlético de Madrid has been analyzed in nice element. His situation of dearer signing within the historical past of the membership, his look to switch Antoine Griezmann and his nice soccer projection, nonetheless exhibiting small sparks, they present. Earlier than the Lokomotiv of Moscow, the Portuguese lived his first evening of leadership within the Metropolitan.

The '7' was in good half of the hazard performs of his crew. It triggered the penalty that Kieran Trippier scored in a play of pillo, consuming the toast to the rival goalkeeper. And after the failure of the Englishman, within the second most penalty for his personal, he assumed accountability and located the objective prize. His second goal within the Champions League, each in opposition to the Russian rival.

Earlier than and after the objective, the attacker fluttered throughout the sphere searching for to create hazard. His perseverance generally touched individualism, however the 20-year-old was the chief, throwing his squad behind his again in a key recreation for the longer term of the season. Along with the objective, he tried one other event to Kochenko, objective of the Lokomotiv, launched two deflected photographs and lots of others had been stopped by the rival defender.

“Joao continues to develop, he has loads of issues to present the crew,” stated the 'Cholo' Simeone at the top of the assembly at a press convention. The rojiblanco coach wished to put particular emphasis on the choral efficiency of his folks and the assist acquired from the followers, however he didn’t dodge the query of the Portuguese, who flattered and in addition put duties.

“We must be higher mixed with the strikers and may discover that final cross in order that we are able to discover this finalization that’s producing us to not shut the matches,” the 'Cholo' influenced journalists. UEFA's knowledge show him proper: he partnered particularly with Thomas, Saul and Lodi, making clear his place within the left-handed profile. He lacked, sure, extra relationship with a Morata who was denied with the objective, taking part in extra among the many three centrals that the Lokomotiv had.

Having overcome his ankle harm that saved him a month within the dry dock, the Portuguese should proceed taking gallons in a crew with hardly any offensive sources, with Diego Costa within the infirmary till at least February. His stability to date this season remains to be scarce: 4 targets and one assists in 16 video games and simply over 1,100 minutes. A service sheet with sufficient room for enchancment and to which the '7' rebels assuming the leadership of an Atlético who, though inhaling Europe, has issues within the League.