Conor Gallagher, Alexander Sørloth, Robin Le Normand. On the face of it, they might not be the signings which can transform a nearly club to a genuine challenger, but for Diego Simeone and Atlético Madrid, there has always been a very particular way of teambuilding and going for success.
With every acquisition this summer, it’s clear the Rojiblancos are doubling down on the patented approach of quality meshed with relentless work ethic – and maybe the sprinkling of magic throughout could tip the balance their way.
Domestically, it will remain incredibly tough for Atlético to win LaLiga, of course. There’s a true twin threat this year to them from the usual suspects, with Real Madrid reinforced with the most talented Brazilians on the planet and a certain Kylian Mbappé. Their squad may be relatively young, but attacking talent and expectation to win is everywhere.
Then there’s Barcelona: Hansi Flick now in charge, a better-looking structure to the team and, even with injury issues already, a 100 per cent start to the season with five wins from five. They look in it for the long haul this year, on the early evidence.
But so too are Atlético, in that case, second and unbeaten – along with Real and Villarreal – with Simeone’s 3-5-2 looking built to both resist and smash down in equal measure.
Early as it is in the campaign, the signs are already there that there’s a good blend this time between the defensive resilience which was their hallmark at their finest – that team of Godín and Gabi, of Diego Costa and Juanfran – and a willingness to go forward, to swarm opponents and, most importantly, try and finish them when they are down. Four clean sheets from five is the best in LaLiga, unsurprisingly; 17 big chances created is third-best though, which is worth more than a Carlo Ancelotti-style questioning raised eyebrow, given Real themselves have only managed 12.
As could be imagined, Atleti have conceded the fewest xG so far this term in the top flight – just 2.5, next closest being 3.8 – and if that’s not yet totally indicative because of the skew of teams played, then so too must we acknowledge that other attacking metrics hint, but may yet change, at improvements still to come. Atleti rank 12th for corners, for example, and only 15th for possession won in the final third – lower than Osasuna, Getafe or Rayo Vallecano to name a few.
But enraged high pressure has never been Simeone’s watchword; he’s perfectly content for his team to sit in shape, frustrate the opposition and then flood forward in groups when turnovers happen in deep areas. Crucially, he wants those same players to be able to flood back if they don’t create a chance themselves.
And therein lies the sense in the summer dealings: Gallagher, hailed as a “pitbull” by his new club says he was called a “dog” in England. He will, and does, chase the ball all day long. But it’s another attacking addition – a super pricey one too at €95m – in Julián Alvarez who highlights the possibility to blend endeavour with excellence.
The former Man City man, a World Cup winner, scored his first Atlético goal recently and has an xGOT tally of 1.8. Once fully bedded in, they’ll expect a high return in attack as well as his elite off the ball work – and all this is without considering one of the original Simeone converts who has started this term in sumptuous fashion: Antoine Griezmann.
Three interceptions and six recoveries already, but also two goals, two assists and more touches, successful passes, successful crosses, accurate long balls and expected assists than any other LaLiga attacker so far.
There can be no doubt Atlético have the depth and the talent to challenge Real and Barca this season – if the intent to attack continues. Later on in previous years, the team and the coach alike have been reluctant to chase three points when one is on the cards in too many games. Overcoming that barrier is the key to domestic success.
In Europe, it might be another matter: two-legged battles in the knockouts might even favour their safety-first style, which we might expect Simeone to double down on after being knocked out in the quarter-finals last year when their clash with Dortmund descended into a chaotic shootout. Atlético barely even need to be concerned by the league phase; already it is apparent that teams with any type of quality at all will certainly be in the top half of the playoff battles at an absolute minimum, and they are capable of top eight in their own right.
Regardless, there’s little challenge or jeopardy for them until into the new year, and by then we might have seen the full force of just what this version of Atlético is capable of.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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