With the 2020-21 season of the top flight of Spanish football almost upon us, we’ve decided to take a look at the teams that are most likely to make the top four. The first in line is Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.
Key Players
- Jan Oblak
- Joao Felix
- Koke
- Jose Maria Gimenez
- Yannick Carrasco
Jan Oblak is one of the highest-rated goalkeepers in Europe right now. Some even consider him the best. While every team needs a decent shot-stopper, the defence is what wins matches and Jose Jimenez can give the Rojiblancos exactly that.
After spending €126 million on Joao Felix, it is time that the Portuguese wonderkid lives up to his price tag and deliver quality in attack. Yannick Carrasco has returned to Atletico last season from China. He has shown sparks of his brilliance throughout the last part of the campaign. In his next full season for Atletico, he can truly flourish under Simeone.
Tying the team together, captain Koke is one of the most vital parts of Diego Simeone’s side. His leadership qualities and defensive output are unmatchable.
Winning Points
Diego Simeone is heralded as one of the best defensive-minded coaches in all of Europe. Atletico conceded only 27 goals in 38 games last season. In other words, they were in second place in the least goals conceded list by beating everybody but Real Madrid.
Therefore, it is safe to say that Diego Simeone will once again take to his 4-4-2 to display one of the best defences in Europe once more.
Atletico have shown enormous signs of quality last season. For example, their victory against Liverpool both at home and away. Shutting out one of the best sides in Europe really does take something special, and Simeone’s men have what it takes to make it.
Challenges
Defence is the most important aspects of the game, and that has been taken care of with Simeone at the helm. However, the problem lies in the other areas of the pitch.
Atletico are sometimes caught out when they have to break down oppositions that sit deep. There has to be a more consistent creative element in midfield. If that doesn’t happen, they run the risk of falling prey to their own tricks.
The attackers need to be more clinical and take their chances regularly. With a season’s worth of experience under his belt, the responsibility to deliver now lies on Joao Felix, as well as the now permanent Atletico player, Alvaro Morata.
Transfer Activity
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of millions in the form of match revenue. With that in mind, it is easy to see why clubs are choosing not to spend big in the transfer market.
The only business Atletico have done this far is finalising the permanent transfer of forward Alvaro Morata from Chelsea. However, he was already with them and it doesn’t really count as a new transfer.
Apart from that, they have been linked with the signing of free agent and former PSG talisman Edinson Cavani. As of now, there is no update on the move.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
While this might be a bold claim, I believe in it wholeheartedly. With Barcelona in shambles, there is no team that can quite match the likes of Real Madrid except for Atletico.
In conclusion, my prediction is that they will take the fight to the rest of the league. However, they will have to be content with 2nd place. That is, unless Simeone can get it all right this time out.
Do check out:
