Arthur Vermeeren’s basic debut lasted more than 45 minutes. The young Belgian played against Rayo Vallecano and showed flashes of his talent at times. Yet Vermeeren found it especially difficult to dance to the rhythm of the Spanish competition. He was replaced at half-time, Atletico won the match after a late goal from Depay.
The youngest starting debutant at Atletico Madrid since 2013. That title was reserved for Arthur Vermeeren tonight.
The Belgian could replace regular Koke in the midfield of the Madrid team. A nice sign of confidence from coach Diego Simeone.
Vermeeren was happy to thank him for that trust with a strong performance. Although he mainly had to get used to the rhythm of Spanish football.
In a rotation team, the Belgian was – of course – not the great patron as he was in Antwerp. Yet he collected 34 ball contacts in one half. The passing was not always accurate, as evidenced by 10 losses of ball possession, but Vermeeren did show commitment with 2 interceptions.
That was not enough to complete the match. Simeone brought Vermeeren into the side at halftime – partly because Atletico had to move up a gear after a good equalizer from Rayo Vallecano.
Atletico fan Gert witnessed Arthur Vermeeren’s debut live in Madrid. Before the match he bought a shirt of the newcomer. “The very first thing,” Gert was told in the Atletico Madrid fan shop.
