What Will Be Atletico Madrid's Strongest Defence in the 2015/16 Season?
Atletico Madrid's transfer activity has already made headlines on more than one occasion this summer as Diego Simeone's club looks to strengthen ahead of another assault on La Liga.
Having relinquished their crown by finishing third last term, Atleti will be hoping to pose more of a threat in the run-in this time around, as well as reach the latter stages of both domestic and European cup competitions. To that end, Atletico have already spent more than £50 million on offensive reinforcements—but it is for the togetherness, tactical solidity and defensive resolution that much of Simeone's success has been built on over the past few seasons.
The defence can't be ignored as a vital part of this season's approach despite those signings, so who will feature as the manager's first-choice group to steer Atleti toward a seventh consecutive season lifting some form of silverware?
The Central Pillars of Uruguay
Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez: team-mates for club and country who repel all who run before them.
The Uruguayan duo established themselves as a pairing early on last season after Miranda's injury and loss of form. Though Miranda reappeared during the campaign to play his own part, it was clear the Godin-Gimenez partnership was both the better fit and the long-term solution for Atletico.
As a pairing, they almost look too similar to cover for each other's deficiencies: both aggressive, aerially strong and happy to step out and make challenges. However, Gimenez has quickly learned his place, dropping a little deeper at times to cover and allow Godin, ultimately committed and fearless, to win the first ball. Barring injuries or suspensions, they'll be the first choice for their national side for years to come, and Atletico will reap the immediate and long-term progression of them too.
Simeone, without doubt, has his base to build from.
Transfer Activity
While most of the incoming deals revolve around attackers, Atletico will need to beef up the back line as well. Long-term first-choice centre-back Miranda left for Inter Milan this summer, while two defenders returned from loans and immediately departed permanently, Toby Alderweireld (centre-back, to Tottenham Hotspur) and Emiliano Insua (left-back, to Stuttgart).
Cristian Ansaldi is another departure from the squad—he spent last season at Atleti on loan from Zenit Saint Petersburg, though played under 900 minutes in the league and Champions League combined.
On a final note, two more young full-backs returned to Atletico this summer after loans away last year, but neither Javier Manquillo nor Kader is likely to feature for the first team in 2015-16. Further loan spells beckon for the pair.
Stuttgart's Antonio Rudiger remains a high-priority target for Atleti, with Bild reporting his club's admission that there is interest in the central defender (h/t ESPN FC).
Support Acts
First-choice right-back Juanfran will naturally start the season involved. Fitness permitting, it would not be a surprise to see him in place during the entire campaign; he has played precisely 35 league games in each of the last three seasons and is perfectly reliable, committed and well-versed in what Simeone wants from his full-backs.
The 30-year-old is also now established in the Spain national-team setup, winning 14 caps to date on account of his solid approach and good use of space down the flank.
Opposite him, it's hard to see anyone displacing Guilherme Siqueira from the regular starting XI if he regains form and fitness; the Brazil-born left-back was the first pick last term but endured a tough run during the second half of the campaign, losing his place because of suspension and the form of Jesus Gamez.
An addition for one of the full-back roles is likely over the course of the summer, but Gamez is a perfect fit for Simeone: versatile, aggressive, not someone who will demand to play more regularly and a reliable performer.
Of course, the defence isn't just the back four—Atletico are a team who work together, going forward and protecting their own goal, and two other roles need mentioning.
Last season, Jan Oblak got injured during preseason, meaning Miguel Angel Moya started the season as the No. 1—and the Spaniard very much took his chance, playing superbly and establishing himself as Simeone's first choice in La Liga and the Champions League, while Oblak played in the Copa del Rey. Toward the end of the campaign, though, an injury to Moya meant Oblak featured from mid-March—and he played so well that he retained his place until the end of the season.
The Slovenian is dominant, agile and aggressive. If he performs well in pre-season, it stands to reason that he will deservedly go into the 2015-16 campaign as Atletico's No. 1. AS has reported Manchester United are interested in him, but the Spanish club would do well to ignore all bids. He is one of the top young goalkeepers in European football.
Finally, the style of Simeone's midfield doesn't exactly dictate that a pure holder sits in front of the defence but rather both central players drop deep. Naturally, one—Tiago last season—is allowed more licence to roam and probe at opposition defences, while the other—Gabi more often than not—waits a little deeper, prepared to break up counter-attacks.
Gabi, though, was below his 2013-14 form by a considerable margin last term and found himself replaced or left out more than once. Koke is the king of Atleti's midfield, certainly in possession, and he should be allowed to take centre stage.
His work rate and endurance, his commitment to the cause and positional awareness make him more than good enough to partner Tiago against many Liga sides, while Koke himself could be allowed to stride further forward against others with a more defensive-minded player beside him.
Pre-season might reveal much of Simeone's thinking with what part his captain will play in the coming season, as Atletico look to go on the offensive for silverware without losing their defensive solidity. Gabi remains captain, though. As such, at least at the start of this campaign, it's hard to imagine he will be immediately ousted.
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
Back four: Juanfran, Josema Gimenez, Diego Godin, Guilherme Siqueira
Holding midfielder: Gabi
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
