Luciano Vietto Can Make Big Impact in Atletico Madrid's Perfect 4-4-2 System
Atletico Madrid are still at the beginning of their pre-season work in Spain, having beaten Real Oviedo 2-0 on Tuesday evening before they head to Japan.
On the day they confirmed another quality signing to their squad in the shape of defender Filipe Luis—who spent just a year away from the club at Chelsea—it was once again the attackers who bore watching for Atleti, as Luciano Vietto and Antoine Griezmann in particular linked very well in a two-man attack.
For new arrival Vietto, it would have been a big confidence booster to play a significant part in a victory which was hard-fought against the newly promoted Segunda club. It would have been another indication that the Argentinian forward can have a big say on Atletico's chances of success in 2015-16.
Two from Three
We have already noted that Vietto will have his work cut out to win a regular spot in the Atletico starting XI, with Griezmann impressing immensely last season. There was also big money spent on Jackson Martinez this season. That said, Atletico perhaps didn't have the depth in quality last season to help them mount a sustained attack on all fronts. And interchanging the front two between three top-drawer attackers will be a massive boost for manager Diego Simeone, who can rotate or substitute without losing quality.
It has been suggested in some circles that playing 4-3-3 would be ideal for Atleti this term—but Simeone already has an ideal system with his compact, hard-working and fluid 4-4-2. Of course, it can be altered in-game to suit, but a two-pronged attack gives his side a lot of movement, plenty of technique on the ball and no shortage of goal-scoring potential.
Add Fernando Torres and the up-and-coming Angel Correa into the mix, and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Atleti's chances of regularly hitting the back of the net.
Buying to Suit
The great thing about the Vietto purchase is that he is, tactically speaking, made to measure for this Atleti side.
Already playing as one of two attackers in a 4-4-2 with Villarreal last season, Simeone knows exactly what he'll be getting and which areas of Vietto's game he needs to improve. Unlike with Griezmann last season, where there was a transition period early on in the campaign as he adapted to a new role, Vietto is a ready-made second striker.
His appreciation of space is what marked him out as such a danger last term in La Liga. He did this by dropping into deeper areas of attack to link play and attempt clever through-passes before attacking the box late on in moves. Those moments of vision and creativity were on show in the Oviedo friendly.
"Muy buen pase de Vietto y gol De Griezmann https://t.co/ZXS4940J4f
— Kokinho (@AtleticoAlive) July 28, 2015"
"Otro pase increible de Vietto https://t.co/uTaDcwMRS4
— Kokinho (@AtleticoAlive) July 28, 2015"
It's only early, but the young attacker already looks as though he is settling into the side in good fashion. He should this year and beyond. And as he improves his all-round game, he should be a magnificent signing for the club.
Perfect Partners?
While Griezmann was formerly a wide midfielder or central attacker, as a striker he is used almost exclusively by Simeone as the man to lead the attack. He stretches defences with his runs in behind and predatory nature inside the penalty area.
Put Vietto next to him, and you have an ideal service line to the Frenchman, able to sneak passes in quickly and still be a goal-scoring threat himself. As for Martinez, he can realistically be expected to do either role, depending on whom he partners.
Price tag and proven ability dictate that a Griezmann-Martinez duo in attack remains the most likely to start the campaign as first choice. But Vietto will absolutely play his part. He made 17 starts and 15 sub appearances for Villarreal last term. Given that he has stepped up in quality of club and competition for places this season, a similar number would be acceptable progression.
The fact that all three should be able to gel and play off each other is testament to Atleti's recruitment. Over the long-term, Vietto will be an enormous beneficiary of that—even if he doesn't start 15-16 as the No. 1 pick.
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
