Ranking Atletico Madrid's Top 5 Players for September
September has been a very mixed month for Atletico Madrid; Three wins and three losses haven't offered the kind of consistency or difficult-to-beat approach Diego Simeone would normally expect from his players, while ongoing problems in attack mean the new signings haven't quite bedded in.
In judging the top five from the club we have looked at each match in turn and assessed the tactical and technical performances of each player, seeing what they brought to the team performance overall just as much as their individual contributions.
To be considered, players have to either have featured for a minimum of 200 minutes of game time or else in at least three separate games out of the six—so injuries curtailing good form can be accounted for, just as continual impact substitute appearances can be assessed.
Here are Atleti's top five players from September, after the following games:
Liga, home, 1-2 L vs. Barcelona
Champions League, away, 2-0 W vs. Galatasaray
Liga, away, 2-0 W vs. Eibar
Liga, home, 2-0 W vs. Getafe
Liga, away, 0-1 L vs. Villarreal
Champions League, home, 1-2 L vs. Benfica
5. Diego Godin
1 of 5
Atletico's defence hasn't been as solid and impenetrable as usual at the start of this season and certainly not in September—they conceded five in their six games, meaning each time they conceded they lost and each clean sheet yielded a victory.
Diego Godin has been impressive at times without being his absolute domineering best, but one or two performances—Barcelona and Getafe in particular—showed his aggression, commitment and aerial prowess in the best light.
At times, he has also been caught out one on one and higher upfield than he'd like, so there's certainly room for improvement.
4. Fernando Torres
2 of 5
Not too many backed Fernando Torres to play a meaningful role at Atletico this season, but he has started as, arguably, the best pure No. 9 at the club, having an impact both from the start of matches and when called on as substitute.
At 31, he's no longer a rapid, lethal powerhouse but rather one who can assess the right times to stretch play and run behind defences, link with his midfielders and, yes, still finish with aplomb when given service.
Torres netted two of Atleti's eight goals during the calendar month and also set up another, the first goal in the win over Eibar.
3. Angel Correa
3 of 5
That winner over Eibar just mentioned was set up by Torres and scored by Angel Correa, moments after coming on as sub.
In fact, playing the part of super sub is one Correa has quickly become accustomed to, making a great difference to the speed and unpredictability of Atleti's attacking play in the last month.
An Argentina debut, a first goal for Atletico and, eventually in the Champions League on Wednesday, his first start for the club have all come during this month.
Correa netted twice in total, against Eibar and Benfica, while also setting up Torres' strike against Eibar and showing he has a lot to offer the team as the season goes on.
Whether up front just off the main striker or in place as a wide threat cutting in, Correa has quickly established himself as another big option for Simeone to utilise.
2. Juanfran
4 of 5
The reliable man of the team, Juanfran has barely put a foot wrong this season and has played every game except one—the defeat to Villarreal.
Excellent defensively, where he rarely gives opponents time and space to cross the ball, Juanfran also goes unnoticed for his offensive work at times.
He's not blindingly quick but will always support in good time, he can pick a deep cross or else smartly pass it short inside and has been involved in some of Atleti's best attacking moves with an ability to control and move the ball on quickly.
It's rare to see his standards slip and that's why he's Spain's first-choice for the right-back position.
1. Antoine Griezmann
5 of 5
Top of the pile for September has to be Antoine Griezmann, who has performed largely well for Atleti in the season overall so far.
He netted half of the team's the goals during the month, two in Turkey against Galatasaray and then twice more at home to Getafe, ensuring he keeps the points rolling in across both competitions for Atletico and also being involved in creating chances (and goals) for the likes of Correa and Torres.
Griezmann has played both as a forward and as a wide threat when Simeone has switched systems and his versatility, along with his technical qualities, should ensure that ineffective or low-key performances—such as that against Villarreal—aren't seen too frequently from the star man of the team.
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