Atlético de Madrid faces a new season under the leadership of Cholo Simeone. As was the case in 2014 and 2019, this time the colchoneros do so after a series of important changes in the squad . Eight have been sold and, for now, two have arrived, although another two may be added this week, which would bring the squad close to being finalised this year.
"If you don't win this year, Cholo... ", "is the town's team spending x million?", "if you don't get to x round in x this year, it will be a failure"... Behind the bar of a bar and under the influence of a morning shot of coffee, these statements have been made by brothers-in-law of different kinds. If, for whatever reason, the opposite of what they say happens later, they will invent another reason to belittle what happens to Atlético de Madrid.
Many years of suffering these people to discover it now. However, in this article we are going to isolate ourselves from all consumers of programs that praise the brother-in-lawism to try to see why Atlético should aim high this year.
World-class signings
This is fundamental. To build the best possible building, you must give the architect the best possible materials and this year that has been done. Robin Le Normand, current European champion with Spain, and Alexander Sørloth, second in the race for the top scorer last year, are two top-level players.
If we add to these two the arrivals of Conor Gallagher and Julián Álvarez , the team takes a leap in quality that was unsuspected at the beginning of the transfer market. It is true that one more reinforcement in defence and another in the middle would still be needed for the idea of this article to be consecrated.
David Hancko or Clément Lenglet are likely to be chosen for the defence and, perhaps, the signing for midfield already came in the winter transfer market last year. After the Javi Guerra option fell through, the club may opt for Arthur Vermeeren, although he still looks green in different aspects. We will see what ends up happening.
Evolution in the idea of play
If there is one thing that has represented Cholo's Atlético de Madrid better and better, it has been the high and suffocating pressure on the rival . To do this, Cholo wants to reinvent himself and return to what he was, enhancing the virtues of his players.
Starting with the change of formation from a 5-3-2 to a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3. Very similar formations that are changing on the pitch, but with the idea of taking a step forward. The English midfielder will provide an enviable physique to the Colchoneros midfield, in the same way that they are looking to strengthen Alexander Sørloth with Julián and Griezmann moving behind him.
In addition, in this sense, the three forwards are very complementary . If Julián and Griezmann do not launch the '9' with filtered passes, they will be the ones to take advantage of the spaces provided by the Norwegian striker himself. If we add to this that Marcos Llorente and Samu Lino will be on the wing, the idea of high or intense pressure after losing the ball is here to stay again.
In the defensive line, emphasis is placed on the ball coming out, as was done last year. Mario Hermoso's role will be replaced by a more consistent centre-back with a similar ball coming out, Robin Le Normand. He, along with Axel Witsel, will be in charge of bringing the ball out with the help of a midfielder who drops back to the base, such as Koke or Rodrigo De Paul.
And to all this, we must add the depth and quality of the squad. This season there will be more games than ever with the change of format of the Champions League and the World Cup at the end of the season. That is why the bench is stronger than ever and everyone will be important.
Luis Piñedo, the hero in the shadows
Like any pyramid, the base is what allows for the construction of great buildings and perhaps it is what is least valued. A little less than a year ago nobody knew him and today he could be the one who excites the fans with the physical preparation of the team.
His new methods , specific plans for injury-prone or veteran players and his daily contact with the players have brought about a radical change. In games like the one against Getafe, they were seen to be more agile in their legs, as Marcos Llorente himself declared at the end of the game. Piñedo could be the man who provides the physicality that Simeone requires, so that his players do not break down continuously and can arrive fresh at the end of the season.
The latter is the key to winning all the titles with a chance, and if there is an example of preparation, it is our eternal rival. Real Madrid has arrived in recent seasons like planes to the last few games. This has allowed them to arrive in better shape than their rivals to win several titles, and with the feeling that if they lasted 5 more games, their players could hold out.