Why Carrasco Will Be Atletico Madrid's Player to Watch in Final Weeks of Season
Atletico Madrid have won three in a row in La Liga to keep on the coattails of Barcelona, still sitting eight points off the leaders but in place to pounce if the Catalan side slip in the final 10 games of the campaign.
In Europe, Atletico are looking good to challenge for success; locked at 0-0 after the first leg with PSV Eindhoven, most would fancy them to emerge triumphant from the return game at the Vicente Calderon, putting them into the last eight of the UEFA Champions League—and few would pick Atleti as their preferred opponents in the quarter-finals.
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Los Rojiblancos remain, therefore, one of the most exciting teams to watch out for over the last weeks and months in the 2015-16 season, with Yannick Carrasco set to re-emerge as their most important component who could make the difference between a good campaign and a great one with silverware at the end of it.
"Yannick Carrasco is back on the squad list. Atléticos, are you looking forward to seeing the Belgian in action? #ValenciaAtleti #GoAtleti
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) March 6, 2016"
Fitness and form
Carrasco began the season on the bench and on the fringes of Atletico's regular XI, but by October, he had won himself a regular spot and was one of the most impressive regular performers in Diego Simeone's team.
His ability to drift past players, offer an outlet on the counter-attack and run directly at opposition defences make him a completely different prospect to most others in the squad; a fast-paced, versatile attacking threat who can open the game up and offer a route to goal which doesn't rely on Antoine Griezmann.
It hasn't been plain sailing; Carrasco suffered a loss of form toward the end of 2015 and an injury at the end of February, but his return against Valencia at the weekend was a big boost for Los Rojiblancos.
The 22-year-old came off the bench, showed he hasn't lost his fearlessness in the first touch and willingness to commit defenders—and scored the third goal of the game after a solo run.
"And it's 3-1 Atletico. Carrasco hammers home through Diego Alves after lovely move, with Valencia torn apart completely.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 6, 2016"
Atleti on the attack
In La Liga, it's three points or nothing for Atletico Madrid now as they chase down Barca—and Simeone's response against Valencia indicated that they're willing to go for it.
After Griezmann for his regular goalscoring exploits, Carrasco is the next most important player on the team simply for his pace and direct running—whether that comes as a starter or an impact sub.
Carrasco allows the manager to go more offensive or withdraw into the team shape more and play on the counter, or even pair two fast strikers together.
That latter option has been seen just once so far this season, against Barcelona when Carrasco and Griezmann were briefly paired until red cards forced an Atleti reshuffle. It looked a very exciting prospect.
A few more goals from the Belgian and he'd be one of the most feared attackers in La Liga. That more regular strike rate will likely come in the next few seasons, but from now to the end of this campaign, he'll be involved in leading the charge toward the Champions League final and trying to claw back ground on Barcelona by virtue of causing panic and opening up spaces in the defence.
Defence and difference-makers
Atletico's back five is set. When all are fit and available, Simeone's side are one of the most difficult teams to break down—and Jan Oblak is one of the top goalkeepers around to get past when the defence is breached.
In terms of not losing games, they're set. Simeone's side will be beaten infrequently, but not losing isn't the same as winning—and that's where Carrasco and Co. come into play.
Titles and silverware from this point onward can only be attained if Atleti go for broke at times and have the individualism to take teams down, gambling and taking risks by supporting the attack—even if it means leaving themselves a little more open defensively now and then.
Breaking defensive lines, finding spaces behind full-backs and using pace and tactical variances to alter the way Atletico attack in matches are all ways where Carrasco differentiates himself to other starters in the team and shows how important he will be over the next two months.
They'll need all their key players to hit top form if they are to go all the way in Europe, and far more luck to be involved if Barcelona are to give up their grip on La Liga, but Carrasco bears watching most of all for the extra ingredients he brings to the team just as much as for his explosive playing style.
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