Predicting the Stars, Breakouts, Disappointments at Atletico Madrid in 2016/17
The 2016/17 campaign got off to a slow start for Atletico Madrid on Sunday, when a last-gasp equaliser from Alaves’ Manu Garcia turned what looked certain to be three points into one point in a 1-1 draw.
Diego Simeone was criticised for naming a slightly too defensive side, which negated his side’s attacking talents and showed just how different Atletico are in ethos to both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Both of those sides enjoyed big opening victories, but despite the poor start, you can expect Atletico to be hot on their heels for the majority of the campaign.
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But what else can we expect from them over the course of the season?
Here are some of the stars, breakout talents and disappointments who could reveal themselves over the course of the campaign.
Stars
Antoine Griezmann
After a remarkable summer with France in the European Championship, Antoine Griezmann was suspended for the opening clash with Alaves, and as a result we saw just how much the team suffers without him.
The French star will be looking to move his game onto a new level in 2016/17, with a clear target of 22 La Liga goals to beat, seeing as that was his total in each of the last two seasons.
With compatriot Kevin Gameiro added to the side this summer, Griezmann will get attacking support and will surely get more chances that way, and it is impossible to escape the notion that his team’s fortunes rest on his shoulders.
Nicolas Gaitan
The summer signing from Benfica managed 11 goals in all competitions for the Portuguese club last season, and if he can get anywhere near that tally in this campaign then he will have made a huge difference to a side always in need of extra firepower.
The Argentinian has been a player tipped for stardom for a while now, and having finally got his big move at the age of 28, he seems primed to take the opportunity to shine.
Earning the trust of Simeone might take a while, with “Cholo” often preferring midfielders who can do more of a defensive job, but if he gets there then he could prove to be a shrewd addition.
Saul Niguez
After taking the giant leap from promising youngster to important member of the first team last season, Saul Niguez, 21, looks to be taking another step towards being a vital player for Simeone this time around.
Memories of his wonderful goal against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season are never too far away, but perhaps his wonderful outside-of-the-boot assist for Griezmann in the previous round is closer to what Simeone wants from him.
With an opportunity to become a mainstay in an evolving Spain team also on offer, look out for one of the most gifted young midfielders around to impress.
Breakouts
Diogo Jota
Many expected the Portuguese youngster Diogo Jota to embark upon a loan spell following his first pre-season with Atletico, but instead he has been allocated the No. 18 shirt and looks to have his manager's confidence.
After learning his trade at first club Pacos Ferreira—where Atletico left him to develop after signing him last season—the 19-year-old looks primed and ready to make an impact in this campaign, even if that impact is likely to be restricted to the Copa del Rey at first.
Yannick Ferreira Carrasco
Following his move from AS Monaco a year ago, last season might have been seen as a breakout one for Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, especially given that it ended with a goal in the Champions League final.
But at just 22, and allocated the No. 10 shirt for this season, there is a real sense that the Belgium international can kick on further from here, taking his game to even higher highs than perhaps he thought possible.
Again, as with all players who play in his attacking-midfield position, he is going to need a fair amount of trust from Simeone if he is to shine, but if he gets it, then Ferreira Carrasco could become the latest in a long line of world-class Belgian players.
Angel Correa
Last season was very much about feeling his way into the Atletico squad for Angel Correa, but after going away with the Argentina squad to the Olympics and winning his battle with Luciano Vietto—now on loan at Sevilla—for a place in Simeone’s squad this season, he looks set to kick on and improve his game in 2016/17.
After a lively cameo in the second half of the draw against Alaves, Correa will hope to benefit from a more attacking approach from Atletico in this campaign, with his brand of scuttling, relentless play certain to endear himself to Simeone.
Correa, who won’t turn 22 until March next year, might again have to be content with cameo appearances from the bench, but if he can make a sustained impact over the season, then he’s likely to become a player of increasing importance.
Disappointments
Tiago
After starting the draw against Alaves, Portuguese midfielder Tiago was substituted at half-time as Simeone perhaps saw the error of his ways and sought a more attacking approach.
The 35-year-old has been a wonderful servant for Atletico, but following his broken leg last season there was a sense that the squad had moved on without him, with several young talents coming to the fore and taking their place in a side that was evolving before our eyes.
Now he’s back, Tiago could find it difficult to fit back into that dynamic, with perhaps only Simeone’s devotion to him keeping him in the squad and the team instead of younger or more attacking alternatives.
It is harsh to single out such a player, but he might just find himself to be expendable the longer the campaign goes on.
Augusto Fernandez
Effectively signed last January as a response to Tiago breaking his leg, Augusto Fernandez is another who could struggle for game time in 2016/17.
He does a good job for the team whenever selected, but as with most sides, there always has to be a sense of the team's future when in the present, and Fernandez doesn’t add to either one of those at the moment.
As with Tiago, there are better options available to Simeone elsewhere in the squad, and that should become apparent over the course of a campaign that promises much.
If Tiago isn’t going to play much because of a change in emphasis, then why would Simeone need the man he bought to replace him?
Oliver Torres
A terrific young player whenever he’s been given the chance to showcase his skills, time now appears to be running out for Oliver Torres to establish himself in Simeone’s side because of the talents on show elsewhere in his position.
The attacking midfielder, 21, has also lost his No. 10 shirt in this campaign, and there appears to be a lack of trust shown in him from his manager.
It could well be that, as the season goes on, his lack of action forces him to look elsewhere.
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