Even though I'm going to be riding the high this whole year after last season's spectacular league title, I'm still very excited about this team and its potential.
Atletico has added only one player, Rodrigo de Paul from Udinese, who played spectacularly for Argentina during the Copa America.
Given that Atletico returns almost the exact same squad from last year, team's success depends on players maintaining their outstanding form from last year. Can Luis Suarez score 20+ goals? Can Angel Correa continue his growth into a formidable scorer? Can Marcos Llorente be one of the league's best players again, posting double-digit goals and double-digit assists? Can Joao Felix, after recovering from ankle surgery, maintain his brilliance he showed during the first half of last season for a full campaign? Can Carrasco be a difference-maker on the wing?
With Koke, Oblak, and Savic, I know the team will be emotionally tough and defensively solid.
I should note that, with the transfer window weirdness, Saul and Trippier may still leave. Saul would be an emotional loss since he has spent his whole life at the club, but he's far from the player he once was and can be. Trippier would be a loss of a major player in Simeone's 3-5-2, so if he goes, there will be a need to bring in a replacement as I don't think Vrsaljko or Arias offer what Simeone wants in this position.
Atletico has added only one player, Rodrigo de Paul from Udinese, who played spectacularly for Argentina during the Copa America.
Given that Atletico returns almost the exact same squad from last year, team's success depends on players maintaining their outstanding form from last year. Can Luis Suarez score 20+ goals? Can Angel Correa continue his growth into a formidable scorer? Can Marcos Llorente be one of the league's best players again, posting double-digit goals and double-digit assists? Can Joao Felix, after recovering from ankle surgery, maintain his brilliance he showed during the first half of last season for a full campaign? Can Carrasco be a difference-maker on the wing?
With Koke, Oblak, and Savic, I know the team will be emotionally tough and defensively solid.
I should note that, with the transfer window weirdness, Saul and Trippier may still leave. Saul would be an emotional loss since he has spent his whole life at the club, but he's far from the player he once was and can be. Trippier would be a loss of a major player in Simeone's 3-5-2, so if he goes, there will be a need to bring in a replacement as I don't think Vrsaljko or Arias offer what Simeone wants in this position.
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