Why Midfield Balance Is the Biggest Issue Facing Atletico Madrid for New Season
Four seasons in a row, Atletico Madrid have lifted silverware of one kind or another under the management and guidance of Diego Simeone.
The Argentinian boss' brand of tactical discipline, utter surety in his methods and a reliance on his key players to perform, game after game, to their maximum and then even beyond has seen unprecedented success come the way of the side with Europa League, Copa del Rey and Supercopa wins—and even a La Liga title.
By itself, it's impressive enough, but that it comes in the face of constant reorganisation and filling in positions each year as other major sides demand to sign their best players is even more testament to Simeone's relentless ambitions, even more praiseworthy for the club in continuing to find adequate and upgradable replacements.
This summer has been slightly different; the signings and departures have largely been on Atleti's own terms to date. Yet it has still been a busy summer, and Simeone faces tough decisions on how to align his midfield, in particular, to ensure tactical continuity with technical progression.
Regeneration
From losing Sergio Aguero to David De Gea to Diego Costa to Filipe Luis, every summer brings important holes to fill for Simeone—and inevitably plenty of money to do so with. Last summer, the midfield area of the team was left largely untouched by circling predators, despite a La Liga win and Champions League final appearance, but the 2014-15 campaign also hinted that changes would be needed regardless.
To that end, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco is in; Arda Turan is out. Oliver Torres has returned from loan—Thomas likewise—and one or two other younger players could increase their game time.
Simeone's midfield quartet, regardless of personnel, will remain compact, hard-working and tenacious when out of possession, offering a blend of quick movement, direct play to support the attack and interchanging of positions when on the offensive.
Elsewhere, the defence almost picks itself—Stefan Savic will have to wait for his chance—and in attack, it will, more often than not, likely be two from three of Antoine Griezmann, Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto, with Fernando Torres serving as the additional option.
Ups and Downs of 2014-15
Atleti went through phases last season of looking a little off the pace; a largely strong second half of the campaign briefly meant they got back in the title race, but ultimately, they were a little short on consistency. That especially went for the midfield, which saw an unusual amount of changes in an area where Simeone is usually happy to play the same faces game after game—when results are forthcoming, of course.
Captain Gabi saw his form fluctuate and was taken out, Koke picked up the odd brief injury and enough yellow cards to accrue a suspension and Turan endured an unproductive run of form after the winter break; it all meant the team weren't as relentless at times and not as good offensively as they could have been.
For the coming season, Simeone has to perhaps alter his ideal starting midfield foursome, keeping in place the same style but changing the personnel to suit.
Ideal
Ferreira Carrasco can almost certainly be placed in the side from the start; his pace and direct running are a departure from the Atleti norm but will aid them significantly on the counter-attack. Of course, central to Simeone's midfield will remain a pairing who can both work defensively and contribute going forward, so a Koke-Tiago partnership to start the campaign would be the best fit.
It would allow Koke to take up control in the centre, while Tiago was at his scheming, creative best over the second half of last season. It would be a surprise, though, if Gabi were immediately removed. The right side could see a battle between Saul Niguez, Oliver Torres and Raul Garcia as the offensive-minded, infield-darting option.
They have options aplenty, and the talent is there to continue the next phase of Simeone's team building. Even if the faces change, the style doesn't have to—and keeping the balance of that dual-function midfield will be key to the manager sending his team out to challenge for top honours again in 2015-16.
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
.png?w=600 "Surprising Landing Spots for Top Potential 2026 NBA Free Agents")