Due to a job switch, I never finished my original post about the team.
In short, this year's squad began the campaign with a big-name loss (Arda Turan to Barcelona) and the arrival of many newcomers. The team had a clear focus on young talent, signing 22-year-old winger Yannick Carrisco from Monaco and 21-year-old striker Luciano Vietto from Villarreal. The team also brought back Oliver Torres, the creative 21-year-old midfielder, from Oporto. Finally, Atletico retained Jose Maria Gimenez (20 years old, CB), Saul Niguez (21, midfielder), Angel Correa (20, forward), Jan Oblak (22, keeper), Griezmann (24, forward), and Koke (23, midfielder).
Simeone does fairly well in balancing the younger players with the older players, but Simeone truly depends on the older players to anchor the squad, especially defensively. To date, Atletico have allowed only six goals in 13 league matches. Godin, as always, has been imperial leading the backline. Perhaps most importantly, Gabi and Tiago have been fantastic as the defensive midfielders controlling the game and providing strong defensive support.
The timing of this thread is not a coincidence: Tiago just broke his leg this past weekend, and will be out for four months. Tiago, even at 34 years old, has been the team's best player. He is essential to the team's offense/defense balance, is good with the ball, knows how to position players, and is a fantastic passer.
The season now depends on Simeone's ability to find the right replacement for Tiago.
Atletico may look to the market. Another option is Kranevitter, the 22-year-old defensive midfielder from River Plate, who has already signed with Atletico but arrives in January. My feeling is that, given the high-level of physicality of Simeone's squad and the complex system Simeone employs, Kranevitter may be a pleasant surprise but should not be viewed as the solution.
I'm particularly partial to giving Saul a shot.
Fingers crossed.
In short, this year's squad began the campaign with a big-name loss (Arda Turan to Barcelona) and the arrival of many newcomers. The team had a clear focus on young talent, signing 22-year-old winger Yannick Carrisco from Monaco and 21-year-old striker Luciano Vietto from Villarreal. The team also brought back Oliver Torres, the creative 21-year-old midfielder, from Oporto. Finally, Atletico retained Jose Maria Gimenez (20 years old, CB), Saul Niguez (21, midfielder), Angel Correa (20, forward), Jan Oblak (22, keeper), Griezmann (24, forward), and Koke (23, midfielder).
Simeone does fairly well in balancing the younger players with the older players, but Simeone truly depends on the older players to anchor the squad, especially defensively. To date, Atletico have allowed only six goals in 13 league matches. Godin, as always, has been imperial leading the backline. Perhaps most importantly, Gabi and Tiago have been fantastic as the defensive midfielders controlling the game and providing strong defensive support.
The timing of this thread is not a coincidence: Tiago just broke his leg this past weekend, and will be out for four months. Tiago, even at 34 years old, has been the team's best player. He is essential to the team's offense/defense balance, is good with the ball, knows how to position players, and is a fantastic passer.
The season now depends on Simeone's ability to find the right replacement for Tiago.
Atletico may look to the market. Another option is Kranevitter, the 22-year-old defensive midfielder from River Plate, who has already signed with Atletico but arrives in January. My feeling is that, given the high-level of physicality of Simeone's squad and the complex system Simeone employs, Kranevitter may be a pleasant surprise but should not be viewed as the solution.
I'm particularly partial to giving Saul a shot.
Fingers crossed.