Atlético had imagined going up against PSG last May. Borussia Dortmund then prevented this from happening. Six months later, the hoped-for opposition will finally materialize. The opportunity for Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone to challenge each other for the first time in seven years and to revive old memories, notably that of the masterclass tactics of Cholo in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2016. The opportunity, above all, to take back their European destiny in hand for Atléti, surprisingly lacking in points and confidence since the start of the campaign.
Plus blanco what rojo
THE Colchoneros started with a sluggish victory, snatched from the 90e minute against Leipzig. From Atlético all spit. The two roustes that followed, however, stood out: a 4-0 that no one had seen coming on Benfica's pitch and a first continental setback at the Metropolitano since November 2021 against Lille. Before this fourth day, Antoine Griezmann's band therefore occupies a 27e place unworthy of his CV, between Bruges and PSV. There is no fire yet to access the dams, but the questions are there. Atlético shows a terribly frustrating inconsistency: the protégés of Cholo have won only 6 games out of 12 in La Liga and have conceded the opener 8 times in 16 matches in all competitions. To claim to finish in the top 4 of the championship and climb into the eighth or quarters of the Champions League, it's okay. To tickle the big names, at the moment, there is still a shortage.
Finding your bearings obviously requires patience. Four potential starters signed this summer, from Alexander Sørloth to Julián Álvarez, including Conor Gallagher and Robin Le Normand. Amount of operations: more than 180 million euros. The French defender arrived first, at the end of July, but has been injured for more than a month, and Atlético has a dismal record of three wins, two draws and three defeats when he does not play. The other star recruits of the summer arrived later and are integrating at different rates. A blatant symbol of this more than timid start, Sørloth, second top scorer in the championship last season, only scored four goals in 16 appearances, rather making an impression with his multitude of missed opportunities against Lucas Chevalier.
Buzzer beater
However, time should do its work, like the evolution of Álvarez, more and more comfortable (6 goals in his last 12 matches). « There are things to improverecognized Simeone after the defeat against Betis. I have to make the most of the characteristics of the new players. I am aware of the road ahead, what needs to be done, the points we need to work on. » The Cholo particularly pointed out the need to progress in transition situations in order to generate more danger. His offspring Giuliano Simeone will be able to help: author of a remarkable and decisive entry against Leganés, the 21-year-old striker has just scored his first goal red and white facing Las Palmas. In the same vein as his padreoverflowing with anger and will. If the automation still needs to be perfected, the athletic feeling who returns to carry the Red and white in important moments thus did not move. The three-time Champions League finalist scored a third of his goals after the 89e minute this season. The sign of a team determined not to give up. All that remains is to combine this desire with better-oiled animation and a little more efficiency. PSG must hope that the planets are not yet ready to align.
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