Predicting Diego Simeone's Opening Atletico Madrid Liga XI
The new season of La Liga is finally on its way, and Diego Simeone is preparing his Atletico Madrid side for their opener at the Vicente Calderon against newly promoted Las Palmas.
Simeone has never had such a versatile, talented and deep pool of talent available to him at Atleti; a great summer has seen them strengthen key areas, and the attack especially looks primed to push the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid all the way for the title.
Taking into account pre-season minutes and form, Simeone's usual 4-4-2 setup and the new arrivals at the club, here we attempt to nail down the likely starters and substitutes for Gameweek 1, with Atleti in action on Saturday evening.
GK: Jan Oblak
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Last season, Atleti used Jan Oblak in the Champions League and Miguel Angel Moya in La Liga. This term, we're expecting Oblak to make the position his own.
Both have featured heavily in pre-season, but Oblak didn't concede a single goal and has everything set up for him to be a key part of what could be a hugely successful season for the club.
Imposing, dominant and with great agility, Oblak should be Simeone's pick from the get-go and is a huge last line of defence.
RB: Juanfran
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The back four picks itself, both in terms of individual level of ability and taking Simeone's preferences into account.
Right-back Juanfran has emerged as one of La Liga's most reliable and dependable defenders, pushing his way into the Spain squad and, of course, being just about a permanent fixture in this Atleti back line.
He'll support from deep and make ground into the final third when he needs to, provide simple but effective short passes or crosses infield and, most of all, defend diligently. An easy choice.
CB: Jose Gimenez
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The Miranda-Diego Godin partnership was well and truly broken up last season thanks to the emergence of Jose Maria Gimenez.
A young Uruguayan centre-back, Gimenez will now take Miranda's place as first choice after the Brazilian's move to Inter Milan; Gimenez is rugged, aggressive and committed but also knows when to stand off and sweep behind the defence, covering behind his fellow centre-back and being the spare man.
He's strong in the air and can contribute in the scoring department at the other end of the pitch too.
CB: Diego Godin
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There's not much to say about Diego Godin that isn't already known; he's one of the world's best and most consistent centre-backs, a Simeone staple and the epitome of this Atletico Madrid side.
Fiercely loyal and committed to the cause, he turned down a move to Manchester City this summer, reported by the Mirror, and will naturally play a leading role for Atleti this season.
Godin runs the defence, and if he plays well, it's tough to score past them.
LB: Filipe Luis
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Back to the Calderon after just a year away, Filipe Luis will be Atleti's first-choice left-back this season.
Guilherme Siqueira performed best and most often in the role last season, but it was still a mixed campaign with lots of changes in the position—and Siqueira has been linked with a move to Juventus before the window shuts, reported by Marca.
Filipe offers good composure on the ball, ability in the final third and is already proven as a big part of the team, assuming he recaptures his old form.
RM: Saul Niguez
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The right-sided spot in midfield will be one of the most hotly contested positions in Atletico's team this year after the departure of Arda Turan.
Winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco can provide pace and drive if Koke continues from his left-sided role, but we're expecting something different to start with—so it's between Raul Garcia, Oliver Torres and Saul Niguez to take up a starting spot on Matchday 1.
Saul is a well-rounded young player who made big strides last term, certainly playing his part, and he'll be looking to do the same this year. Not as exciting as Oliver but certainly a reliable and versatile performer, Saul has featured a lot over summer, and his selection would be a bridge between a completely new midfield arrangement and one that features those already familiar with tactics and expectations.
CM: Tiago
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Gabi and Tiago were Atletico's regular midfield partnership last season. Mario Suarez has been sold and Thomas has returned from loan.
The Portuguese man Tiago is the one we'll select to be in from the beginning, though this pairing could change depending on opposition and Atleti's own early-season form.
Tiago is creative going forward and can unlock defences with quick passes outside the penalty area and his clever vision, but he also works extremely hard, is a tough tackler and is tactically astute. It's very unlikely Simeone will go into the new season without selecting him.
CM: Koke
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It's captain Gabi we expect to miss out to start the season, with Koke coming infield from the left to take up a central role.
If Godin rules the defence and embodies what Simeone demands from his team, it is Koke who does the same in midfield. Technically gifted and blessed with a huge range of passing, Koke can unlock defences, is tremendous with set-piece deliveries and should step up even a level further playing in the middle this term.
He can perfectly balance the offensive and defensive requirements of the role.
LM: Yannick Ferreira Carrasco
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New signing Yannick Ferreira Carrasco can give Atleti's left side an all-new look as he combines with Filipe but also offer the team great pace and a wide outlet, something that is an important addition as they look to take their game up a notch.
He has featured heavily in pre-season as Simeone has looked to quickly integrate him into the side, and it would be no surprise to see him play a big part in most matches this term.
At just 21 years of age, he's far from the finished product but can still add a new dynamic to the side and improve under Simeone's tutelage.
CF: Antoine Griezmann
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The first forward selection is an easy one: Antoine Griezmann was one of La Liga's best players over the second half of last season, and only Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored more league goals than he managed.
He'll be key to any success this season and will continue as one of the starting forwards in a very competitive area of the squad.
Four goals over pre-season hint he is ready to start the campaign on fire, but it is his link-up play with the likes of Oliver Torres and Koke that might give the most excitement over the longer term.
CF: Luciano Vietto
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Picking the partner for Griezmann is no easy task; Simeone could go for any one of three players and feel he has made the right choice. Fernando Torres has been in good form and looking sharp in pre-season, Jackson Martinez is the big signing of the summer and Luciano Vietto his hit the ground running too.
It's the latter we'll just opt for for the first game, though, with Vietto already showing very good understanding of combination plays with the likes of Saul and Griezmann in particular. Running the right channel, dropping into space and getting himself into the area, he'll be a fine addition to the attack this term.
He won't start more than 15 or 20 league games in all likelihood, but we'll opt for him ahead of Martinez on this occasion because the Colombian joined up with the team later in the summer (following the Copa America) and Simeone may opt to ease him in a little more gradually given Atleti have such a deep talent pool to choose from up front.
Substitutes
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It's testament to Atleti's squad that there is even competition for the subs' roles; Siqueira could be left out with the uncertainty over his future, while Lucas Hernandez, who has really impressed over pre-season, also fails to make our bench. Further forward, Oliver Torres will be a huge success this season but may have to wait for his chance initially. We're also leaving Angel Correa sidelined for now—but again, he could have a breakthrough campaign.
Goalkeeper: Miguel Angel Moya.
Defenders: Stefan Savic, Jesus Gamez.
Midfielders: Gabi, Raul Garcia.
Forwards: Fernando Torres, Jackson Martinez.
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