Mario Hermoso had a busy summer. Last season he had been losing his place in the team and the presence of Giménez, Savic and Felipe it seemed to leave him relegated to the perennial substitution. Atlético and the central defender remained waiting, with Nehuén Pérez in the bedroom and multiple teams interested in the Madrilenian, one of the most a Royal Society that he visits tomorrow.
Finally, the market came to an end without a satisfactory offer for all parties, Nehuén left on loan to Granada on the last market day and Hermoso got ready to compete for a spot in Simeone's scheme. And based on work, a space has been carved out to become practically indisputable. El Cholo adapted his scheme to a defense with three centrals where Hermoso's role has been capital, moved to the left profile with the ability to be the defender with the best clean ball exit from behind.
The 25-year-old footballer suffered playing as a left back, but Simeone has solved the problem by placing one lane ahead collaborating in the defensive tasks ahead. A player who has fitted like a glove to this new tactical system. But, if there was any doubt about the progression of the central, its growth has also been seen in the line of four. In the last three games, Atlético has returned to its more traditional version, but Hermoso has always continued to count for the Argentine coach.
In the derby against Real Madrid the plan was not working, and Simeone sought to change the situation by returning to a line of four behind. Before the break with Hermoso on the side, and after giving entrance to Lodi by Felipe and forming a central pair between the Spanish and Savic. In the Copa del Rey against Cardassar it would be Felipe himself who would accompany Hermoso back and against Elche, Savic would return to eleven instead of the Brazilian. He who does not take a breath is Beautiful.
“We have talked a lot with Mario. Each one takes time to adapt to interpret what we want. Last season we did not give him the opportunity to play very often, this one in the defense of five we have talked with him and how he could adapt and is in an impressive moment. All his merit, he wanted to meet what the team asked for “explained Simeone after defeating Elche. Beautiful sum 1,195 minutes, the seventh most of the squad, has participated in 15 of the 19 team games and does not want to stop there. The central has come to stay.