Why Atlético became unplayable again – Liga – J18 – Barcelona-Atlético

→ A solid defense, for a change

If Atlético remains on 11 consecutive victories (TCC), its best series since the fall of 2012, it owes it in part to its defensive solidity. This may seem a bit cliché, especially when we are talking about a formation renowned for being rough, often cowering at the back, but we must not forget its permeability last season. During this 2024-2025 financial year, the Colchoneros have conceded only 11 pawns in 18 days, making them the co-best defense in La Liga with Real Sociedad. Unable to beat FC Barcelona away for 13 years (10 defeats, 7 draws), Atlético will be able to count on its defenders, such as its captain José María Giménez, the potential holder Clément Lenglet or even Axel Witsel to frustrate opponents. Blaugrana far from being formidable in recent times, like Robert Lewandowski who has only slammed two pawns in six matches.

→ Thanks to his recruits (hello Julián Álvarez)

In addition to Clément Lenglet, who perfectly compensated for the unavailability of another recruit, Robin Le Normand, victim of a head trauma during the derby against Real, the current runner-up in La Liga had a hollow nose by signing Julián Álvarez . If Conor Gallagher and Alexander Sørloth, respectively bought for 42 and 32 million euros, are struggling to make their mark, the 2022 world champion is like a fish in water. Already author of 12 pawns and 2 assists, . At a press conference this Friday, Diego Simeone : “With a player of his caliber, it is very difficult to contribute to his game. You just have to surround him so that he can generate everything he generates. » After the bitter failure of João Félix, Álvarez proves that being the second most expensive recruit in the history of Colchoneros (75 million euros) does not necessarily mean casting error.

→ A reinvented Simeone

« Cholo » now has more than that does not prevent the Argentine coach, in office since December 2011, from reinventing himself. The technician still has his soldiers (Koke, Oblak, Correa), but does not hesitate to trust the youth, who responds rather well to him. Whether it is Pablo Barrios, Samuel Lino or even his son Giuliano, the next generation is taking shape and providing loyal service to the collective. But Simeone also relies heavily on changes to change the meetings. Atléti is not the Spanish club which makes the most (83 since the start of the season) but its tactical adjustments are often decisive. As proof, 18 goals were scored by starters, but also 12 assists delivered by men coming off the bench. It's simple, no team does better in the five major championships.

→ Because Antoine Griezmann, quite simply

Freed from the weight of the selection, Antoine Griezmann is living his ninth season in Madrid colors. However, the 2018 world champion still has big things to accomplish. On cloud nine since the start of the season (11 goals and 6 assists), “Grizou” shows, as if it were still necessary, that he is the handyman of the Colchoneros. Top scorer in the club's history since January 2024, the native of Mâcon is only 8 pawns away from the 200 goal mark. Considered a  “different player”, ” special “ by his coach, Griezmann also continues to be unanimous in the locker room: “ It's a privilege to play alongside Griezmann, but what I like most about him is his personality, because he's a simple person, with a great heart, said his teammate Samuel Lino. And on the pitch, everyone knows his qualities, he is a spectacular player. But for everything he represents, all the talent he has, everything he has won, everything he has done in his career, he remains a humble person, and for me, it That's the most important thing about him. » We can think that wear and tear and lack of motivation could, logically, affect the French striker. It would be forgetting that he is missing a major title in his trophy cabinet: La Liga, which Didier Deschamps' former favorite has quite simply never won, whether with Atlético, who won it for the last time in 2021, or Barça.

→ Because Rodrigo Riquelme is a great singer

For a dressing room to work, you always need good DJs. Having a good singer is also important to make the victorious evenings wild. THE Colchoneros have one: the young Rodrigo Riquelme. While he always dreamed of being an artist, his club made one of his dreams come true by allowing him to sing on stage. we cannot guarantee the absence of false notes.

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