Updated:21/01/2022 05:48h
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It is hard to believe the mental and sporting collapse of the Atletico Madrid, but the data is devastating for a team that, after losing in the semifinal of the Super Cup, was eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Real Sociedad. A mirage of that rocky group that was in the past and that led him to conquer the last League. The numbers speak for themselves: of the last ten games they have only won three and lost six. At this point, still in January, he already has more defeats than he added in the entire past year or in any of the previous ones. The same goes for goals against. The figure now exceeds the global figure of the previous one.
The mental bump is also eloquent. It is as if a tsunami had passed over the team erasing its identity with a stroke of the pen. Today a state of amnesia prevails that prevents players from recognizing themselves in what made them great, defensive roundness, that virtue of getting up in the face of blows, ambition and bravery. It is surprising in a team that a few months ago lifted the League title and which it was claimed had formed the best squad in its history.
The rojiblanco universe, starting with the fans and ending with the coach and the players, is now disoriented. They think they know the causes of the crisis, at least some of them, but there are no recipes for possible solutions. What is certain is that Simeone time is pressing, because the calendar does not give a respite to a team that needs to catch some air.
inoperative defense
When talking about Atlético’s bad moment, the first thing that is pointed out is its defensive fragility. Against Real Sociedad he conceded two goals that highlighted the lack of forcefulness of the defense. Januzaj headed in the first goal despite being sandwiched by three rivals and Oyarzabal brought out Felipe’s colors in the second goal, pressuring him until he caused an error and making it easier for Sorloth to stand alone against Oblak. The Brazilian center-back is one of the greats singled out for his fateful season. But individual failures are, unfortunately for Simeone, a constant in this course.
injuries everywhere
That Felipe has played so much can only be explained by the continuous absences of Giménez and Savic, the two men called to lead the center of defense. The Uruguayan is one of the crystal men in the squad, and Savic has been out of action for almost two months. They are not the only ones. According to data from Transfermarkt, the rojiblancos have suffered a total of 22 injuries since August. Oblak, Hermoso, Lodi, De Paul, Correa and Luis Suárez are the only ones who have been spared going through the infirmary.
Suarez, missing
Atlético boasted a devastating attack at the beginning of the season, when Griezmann and Cunha arrived to accompany Luis Suárez, Correa, Joao Félix, Carrasco… The dilemma then was to see how to fit the pieces together without anyone bothering. But the harsh reality is that all the attackers, except Correa, are far from their best numbers. The case of Suárez is the most bloody, since the Uruguayan was key in winning the title last year. His physical slump has translated into fewer goals and a lot of anger when he was replaced by Simeone. Griezmann, who is expected like rain in May to change the current course, is not the one from his first season either.
irregular planning
Just as the team’s large group of attackers was extolled, since August the quality and quantity of the mattress defense has been questioned. The problem has become more acute with the departure of Trippier, which leaves the two full-backs with only one real tenant (Vrsaljko and Lodi). One more central defender is also missing in a team that has become accustomed to playing with three of them in the starting line-up. In recent days the option to sign Wass has been reactivated, but the renovation of the defense will only be undertaken seriously in the summer.
If Koke is not well…
Few absences are worse for Atlético than that of its captain. If Koke is missing, the team suffers. And the argument also works when the Vallecano’s form is not ideal. Now that is the case. Koke had a magnificent season last year, but today he is a shadow of his former self. The European Championship conditioned his preparation and now his hierarchy is missed. Win few duels and lose too many balls.
a lot of intermittence
Atlético stands out for the quality of its squad, but none is capable of assuming leadership of the team. Carrasco, De Paul, Correa or Joao Félix himself release details of his talent too intermittently. There is no stability or consistency in his game. The Portuguese has been a starter in the last two games, but his impact has been minimal.
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