The preseason for Simeone it is becoming a real headache. From the beginning he knew that he would not be able to count on the international players who have had commitments with their national teams, but it was not in his plans to lose the first team in the first weeks of training. The last scare was Beautiful mario, that had to retire of the match against Salzburg twenty minutes from the end. A hit was the reason of a change so as not to take unnecessary risks. The 22 he was one of the only three first-team players on the pitch, along with Oblak and Saúl, although fortunately he will not go through some discomfort.
Hermoso worked yesterday in the gym in Majadahonda and in principle he will be this Saturday against Wolfsburg. its paper in this preseason it is being great relevance to the team. His ownership throughout the past season have given him a few stripes in defense that he has transmitted to the homegrown players. For Simeone, he is the leader of a rear reduced by the absence of internationals.
The idea of the Argentine coach for the preseason matches was consolidate the Hermoso-Savic center-back pair, but the Montenegrin muscle injury a week ago he complicated this option. It is a myofascia in the right quadriceps, which will keep you out of the group for a few weeks.
Faced with this situation in the defense, it is time to check the level of the homegrown players. The first to step forward was Fran Gonzalez, who played the full match in Austria. The recent signing for Atlético B wants to show that he can have the level to meet Simeone's demands.
The paper of Javi montero in this preseason it is of great importance. After two years on loan, at Deportivo and Besiktas, the young center-back returns to the rojiblanco team with his future up in the air. In these games he has a key opportunity to show what he is capable of.
One of Atlético's best assets in defense is Nehuén Pérez. The Argentine central defender has just been eliminated from the Tokyo Olympics, and he is ready to join Simeone in the next few days. After a season on loan at Granada, Pérez has shown sufficient level to complete the rojiblanca defense.
In recent days they have joined the training Giménez and Felipe. The Uruguayan has started a specific plan to perform at a high level within two weeks, when LaLiga begins. For his part, the Brazilian is in the last phase of recovering from his knee injury, so Simeone won't have him for several weeks.
On the sides, what worries Simeone is Trippier continuity for the next course. The Englishman could go to Manchester United, where they want to have his services. The right back has not yet spoken and his future is up in the air.
The Argentine coach hopes to be able to arrive at the start of the championship with the highest number of personnel from the first team. If this were not the case, he would have to put his trust in the quarry, since Atlético cannot afford even a mistake if they want to be champion again.