Atleti to the fore
After squeaking past PSV Eindhoven and into the Champions League quarter-final on penalties after an entertaining 0-0 draw, Atletico Madrid took the some very important steps toward winning Europe’s premier competition.
While giants of the game Juventus, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid still remain in the competition, Diego Simeone’s side have that look about them that they are determined to go all the way.
The Rojiblancos solidity is the standout. It has been the hallmark of Simeone’s sides since he took charge in 2011. It was this solidity that took them to the Europa League title in 2011/12 and the La Liga title in 2013/14. This season, they have conceded only 12 goals in the league, the least amount in any of the major leagues in Europe, even less than PSG or Bayern Munich.
But calling them defensive would be doing ‘the other Madrid’ a disservice. Just as the solidity and defensive cohesiveness is a reflection of the man in charge, so is the way they attack. Players like Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco, Koke, Luciano Vietto play on the break, looking to quickly expose the space created by the opposition. But they also do it intelligently, often interchanging positions and attacking in different ways according to where and how the ball is won back. Regardless of where they are on the pitch, the players know what to do and Simeone and their staff must be credited for this. Players are incapable of playing in such a coordinated way on their own, as some football fans seem to believe.
Despite all their solidity, intelligence and cohesiveness, the one area Atletico lack is in the goalscoring department. Griezmann is their top scorer in the league and Champions League, but they rely on him too much to come up with goods. Luciano Vietto, although hard working and committed to the cause, has been unable to fulfill his goalscoring promise seen at Villarreal. Fernando Torres, though looking the shadow of the striker he was at Liverpool ever since he left the Merseyside club, has experienced a slight resurgence under Cholo Simeone. But he haas only succeeded in finding the net five times all season. If they are to stand a chance of making it through to the quarter- and semi-finals of the Champions League, Simeone must find a solution.
This could be the only chance they may have for a while to win Europe’s premier competition as the club, along with city rivals Real Madrid, have been banned by FIFA from registering any newly transferred players for the next two transfer windows. While the Atleti administration have busily been locking in their best players, signing contract extensions, the club will be unable to strengthen their squad for some time. This only lends itself to the Madrid side falling further behind their rivals in La Liga and the Champions League especially.
It’s time for the Rojiblancos to strike while the iron is hot, and go one step further than they did in 2013/14 when they were unceremoniously beaten by fierce rivals Real Madrid.
That was Day 24 of the 500 Words Challenge! See all the other posts here:
Day 23 – Aussie Sports Admin – She’ll Be Right Mate
Day 22 – Why I’ve Struggled with the A-League
Day 14 – Short Term v Long Term
Day 12 – You know, books an’ that
Day 10 – What’s I’ve learnt so far
Day 9 – 10 Things That Upset Me About the Game I Love
Day 7 – Capital One Cup Final Preview: Liverpool v Manchester City
Day 6 – The Commentators’ Curse
Day 4 – Europa League Preview – Liverpool v Augsburg
Day 3 – Champions League Round-Up
The Dirtbag 