There is life beyond Felipe

He Atlético de Madrid suffered last summer a fundamental loss in the schemes of Simeone: Godín. The Uruguayan went free to Inter de Milan and left a huge hole in the center of the rojiblanca back. To try to replace him Felipe arrived, from Porto, for 20 million of euros. The Brazilian started with a certain disadvantage compared to Giménez and Savic, who were part of Simeone's Praetorian Guard last season. That motivated that in the first four days his presence was merely testimonial (one minute on the second day against Leganés and bench or stand the rest). But from then on, he beat Cholo and has been an important member of the spine mattress topper.

The central barely been available since the return of LaLiga after the break by the coronavirus. Of the seven days played since then, Felipe has only entered the list in two games, being substitute in day 32 against Alavés in the Wanda Metropolitano and playing the 90 minutes against Barcelona at Camp Nou the next. Yesterday he returned to train with the group after being absent on the last day against Majorca in the rojiblanco fief due to trauma and it can be expected that he will enter the call, although his presence in eleven is not assured. However, those of Cholo have barely noticed their absences throughout the season if we stick to the numbers.

In the season overall, the Athletic has played 45 games so far and Felipe has been available from 39 of them, not jumping onto the grass seven times. A curious fact is that, except for the testimonial minute of day 2 against Leganés, the rest of the games he has played from start to finish (including extensions against Liverpool in the Champions League, Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey and Real Madrid in the Super Cup final held in Arabia).

The balance with the Brazilian on the field is 14 wins, 11 draws and six losses (seven if we count the final of the Super Cup lost by penalties to Real Madrid after 0-0 in regulation time). In those encounters Atlético has scored 42 goals and conceded 28. On the contrary, in the 13 games in which Felipe has not participated the rojiblancos they have won eight, they have tied four and they have only lost one (2-0 against Real Sociedad at Reale Arena on Matchday 4) scoring 20 goals and conceding eight.