João Félix scored a goal that he celebrated with great anger and that serves to enliven the debate on whether he should be a permanent starter at Atlético, even more so when what lies ahead is the derby against him Real Madrid (Sunday, 16:15), key appointment for the League. The quality of the Portuguese is beyond doubt, Simeone trusts him and his teammates do not hide that he is a differential and necessary footballer. However, the numbers for this season are surprising: Atlético do very well when João enters from the bench and not so well when he starts.
The '7' has played 29 games so far this year, 20 starting at eleven-nine as a substitute. Of the latter, he has not lost any. With João entering from the bench, as in La Cerámica, Atlético they have won eight games (88.9%) and drawn one (Levante). On the other hand, with the young crack in the eleven, the figures show worse results: ten wins (50%), five draws and five losses, all of the season. And of the four that have been lost, Atleti won three and tied one. Of course, the one who sentenced Villarreal on Sunday is the first goal that João scores as a substitute of the 10 that it takes this season.
In 2021, the forward has not earned the undisputed label for Simeone. “He hadn't scored for a little while and he needed it, as the team needed him. The team needs João and he needs the team“, argued the technician from the La Cerámica press room. The Portuguese has been alternating titles with substitutions and, in addition, had to stop due to the coronavirus. Once overcome, he tries to take his best form before what is coming in the League and Champions. “It is different and we need its best version”, explains Savic, an authoritative voice in the locker room.
The goal gives João Félix arguments to be part of the eleven in the derby. Correa and he seem to dispute a position, although against Chelsea they coincided in the team. Both in this Champions League event and against Villarreal, he had a less showy role, almost like one more interior. Before the British he had a Chilean who went up and before the Submarine, a shot on goal that turned into a goal, in addition to an 86.4% success rate in the pass and three recoveries. And now that? Now comes the derby. The runrún of the celebration will give way to his work against Real Madrid, which he has not yet scored (in an official match, yes in the United States). João asked for more on Sunday, but Simeone has the final decision.