After a great victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, Atletico fans expect a bright season from their team.
This summer has been markedly different. Key men Antoine Griezmann, Lucas Hernandez, Jose Gimenez, and Juanfran have been given new contracts while of the older stalwarts; Gabi and Fernando Torres have been moved on.
The transfer business has been top notch with a £111.15m worth of talent switching base to the Metropolitano. AS Monaco’s winger Thomas Lemar moved to £63m while former Cantera product Rodri was brought in for £18m from Villarreal to fill the hole left by the departed Gabi.
Oblak and the quality in goal
Slovenian Jan Oblak is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in world football and will become an indispensable leader in the new season. Despite the constant rumors linking the 25-year-old player to leaving the club, the "Indians" stood firm and resisted all transfer offers.
An excellent goalkeeper who effectively manages his defense and is able to initiate counter attacks with his long strikes and throws. Oblak’s performances have been a key reason why the side has had the best defensive record in La Liga for the past couple of seasons.
Defense of Atletico became even stronger
"The Indians" have become one of the most defensive teams in Europe since Simeone took his place in 2010. The defense center will be assembled by the new captain Diego Godin, and he is expected to cooperate either with José Giménez, who continued his ascent, or with the equally impressive Stefan Savic.
Lucas Hernandez has been fully converted into being a full-time full-back and following his superlative performances last season and his displays for France at the World Cup. He will provide fierce competition to Filipe Luis, who was the team's first choice in the position of left-back.
The unexpected transition of Croatian defender Sime Vrsaljko to Inter, means that the staunch Juanfran should again become the right choice for Simeone. The new signing - Santiago Arias (transfer for 9 million pounds from PSV Eindhoven) will be a good competitor to an experienced Spaniard, in the best traditions of modern full-back.
Midfield looks very strong
For the first time in a long while, the Atletico midfield will be dominated by Cantera products. Rodri, Koke, Saul Niguez and Thomas Partey will form the nucleus of the team’s midfield for the 2018/2019 season and will provide a fascinating mix of steel, pace, youthfulness, and goals (as evidenced by the goals by Saul and Koke against Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup).
Ghanaian international Partey and Rodri will form the defensive part of the midfield. Rodri was a revelation at Villarreal last season. His interceptions, grasp, clever use of the ball and the ability to predict the danger earned him the first challenge to the Spanish team, and he is already mentioned as the long-term successor to Sergio Busquets.
Koke continues to grow over the years, and now he is fully part of his team as one of the leaders of the team. His tenacity, long and short pass, fight, ability to be in the right place, made him one of the favorites of Simeone.
Saul is the real motor of the team in the center of the field. His pace, dribbling, speed of work, creativity and ability to score exciting goals in big matches - continue to bring victory matresses.
Powerful attack
Down the flanks, Atleti have even more options with Thomas Lemar, fellow new boy Gelson Martins, and Vitolo providing pace, goals, work rate, and trickery down the flanks.
The extension of Griezmann's contract was met with great relief among Atletico fans, and it is expected that the world champion will continue to score steadily and create goals for his partners in order to lead the team to more titles.
Arrival of Diego Costa in January strengthened the team, and he continues to justify the confidence of the coach already in the new season. His double and comprehensive game against Sergio Ramos and Varane in the Super Cup proved that he will be one of the leading contenders for the Pichichi trophy in the 2018/19 campaign.
Last season, Angel Correa often played as one of the favorites of Simeone. It is expected that he will continue to play an integral role in the team.
Diego Simeone’s tactics and what the season holds for Atletico Madrid
Much will depend on the tactics that will be used by El Cholo. One of the few criticisms that the Argentine coach had, especially in recent seasons, was his frankly conservative tactics.
Atletico always had a team of players playing attacking football, and it will be interesting to see how Simeone will allow his players to express themselves more.
It is expected that he will continue to play his quarter on the defensive. Perhaps Hernandez will get more playing time as a left-back. It is assumed that in the midfield will begin Rodri, Koke and Saul, as it is a trio that equally provides persistence, strength and creativity.
Lemar will become one of the main forwards who will start from the left flank and will often occupy the space liberated by Griezmann. Lemar’s French teammate Griezmann will continue in his usual Messi-role i.e. freedom to roam and cause havoc. Diego Costa, is still the team's main scorer and will provide goals that will help achieve the desired results.
It has been a long time since an Atletico Madrid side had the depth and quality this current iteration can boast of. They should be competing for both the La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles come the end of the season.
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