A one-week slip is all it has taken for Atlético Madrid’s season to crash to the ground.
Wasting a 2-0 first leg lead in the Champions League Last 16 against Juventus was bad enough. Following it a few days later with a dismal defeat against Athletic Club that ended Atleti’s league title hopes worsened the situation further still.
4
Atletico Madrid ace Saul Niguez celebrates scoring this season.
The results, 3-0 in Turin and 2-0 in Bilbao, are both terrible, but above all the performances were particularly worrying. Against Juve, Atleti had nothing, ineffective in their starting approach and unable to change it in any meaningful way despite the painfully obvious mismatch that was playing out. Against Athletic meanwhile they barely got close to the opposition goal.
For once, Diego Simeone can’t blame the embarrassments unravelled on being the little guys – the underdogs he so often likes to insist his Atleti are.
Based on net salary, he is the best paid coach in the world, while only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo earn more than Colchoneros star Antoine Griezmann. Thomas Lemar, bought for €70million last summer, was the most expensive signing of the current La Liga season.
Yet Atleti haven’t taken any meaningful steps forward. In the case of some key players, they may even have taken a step backwards. When Luis Enrique last week announced the Spain squad to face Norway and Malta, Koke and Saúl were notable in their absence, but few complained.
LATEST FOOTBALL STORIES
Neither of the Atleti midfielders have had good seasons, and while Koke can to an extent blame that on injury, Saúl’s regression is of more concern. With 36 games under his belt, playing time hasn’t been difficult to find, but it is difficult to think of a standout performance from the 24-year-old over the last year, despite his obvious talent.
It is certainly no coincidence that in the hours after his omission from the Spain list was revealed, reports broke that Manchester City are moving close to a deal for the No.8. It remains to be seen whether that will indeed crystallise, but what is true is that the chances of the Atleti youngster leaving his boyhood club appear higher than ever.
Offers have never been short in the past, but while on previous occasions the Elche native has opted to stay put and continue his development with Atleti in the hope of playing a part in further success for the Rojiblancos, the stagnation of recent seasons and the snub from Spain will not have passed unnoticed.
4
Saul argues with Jaime Mata in what has been a tough season for the midfielder.
Saúl is an exceptionally gifted footballer but it has been a while since he made a step forward. In truth the same could be said for any of Simeone’s more offensive players in recent seasons.
Signed five years ago now, Antoine Griezmann is the last attacker Cholo has helped to improve in any meaningful way, and even then the Frenchman has had diminishing returns in front of goal since hitting a career best 32 in 2016.
The case of Lemar is one of the most striking. The longer he is coached by Simeone, the poorer the winger seems to be. While the 23-year-old excited and caused optimism in Atleti’s 4-2 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup last August, it proved to be a false dawn – much like the thrilling attacking play with which they won that match in extra time.
Since then, he has trudged along, by now barely ever taking on his man with any conviction, and looking confused about his job.
4
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone face a tough summer.
We are reaching a pivotal moment in the Simeone project – perhaps the most important summer of transition since he took up his current position in 2011.
If Saúl decides to leave, could it prove to be a watershed moment for other attackers bored of being reduced to workhorses at Atleti? Will the club opt to take the easy way out and hang the blame of Lemar’s failure to meet expectations solely on the player himself? Or is it JUST part of a broader trend of offensive signings being stifled after arriving at the Metropolitano?
Those issues are big enough, and we haven’t even touched on the impending exits of several of the 2014 league title winners. Filipe Luis, Diego Godin and Juanfran are all out of contract this summer – three huge players in Atleti history who are not easy to replace.
That task is made more difficult still when Bayern Munich have made no secret of their plan to trigger the release clause of Lucas Hernández, who won the World Cup at left-back and has long been earmarked as one of Atleti’s starting centre-backs of the future.
4
France World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez could be one of many stars who leave Atletico Madrid in the summer.
As for Diego Costa, fight though he always does, perennial injury problems and a paltry return of only one league goal in 14 games don’t bode well for the 30-year-old’s future contributions. Particularly with the younger, already more effective (three league goals in six games) Ãlvaro Morata around.
We’re heading for a tumultuous summer at the Metropolitano, and Saúl may just be the tip of the iceberg.
'A lamentable degree of ignorance': Crystal Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey slammed by the FA after he claimed he 'DOESN'T KNOW what a Nazi salute is' after he was pictured in pose at a team night out
EPL news: Wayne Hennessey, Crystal Palace goalkeeper cleared
West Brom vs Aston Villa live on talkSPORT: Commentary, stream and confirmed line-ups for Championship play-off clash All you need to know to tune into the semi-final tie at the Hawthorns By Marc
West Brom vs Aston Villa live on talkSPORT Commentary stream
Championship round-up: Norwich beat Sheffield United to title as Derby secure final play-off place to face Leeds in 'spygate' rematch Sunday, 5 May 2019 Norwich won the Championship title as Derby claimed a final play-off spot to set up a 'spygate' rematch against Leeds on the last day of the regular season.
Championship round-up: Norwich beat Sheffield United to title
Who has been promoted in the EFL? Who has been relegated? All teams confirmed after play-off final drama by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 28 May The English Football League season is now done and dusted for another year with teams up and down the country either celebrating or commiserating.
When are the 2019/20 EFL fixtures revealed? Championship
Speaking with talkSPORT, Piers Morgan explained why he believes Aaron Ramsey should not be missed at Arsenal. First of all, the presenter sees the Welshman as a Giroud-type midfielder, someone who has been decent, but ultimately not good enough for Arsenal.
LIVE Arsenal Morgan News | One News Page
Neymar injured in Brazil training: Neymar limped off the pitch after appearing to suffer a knee injury during a practise session with the Brazil national team on Tuesday, Goal.com reports. The injury punctuates a problematic week for the Paris.. News video on One News Page on Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Copa America 2019: Neymar's knee makes him sit out Brazil
Manchester United are closing in on a move to make Daniel James their first summer signing. The Swansea winger, 21, is understood to have agreed personal terms with the Reds, ahead of a transfer
Sky Sports: Daniel James agrees personal terms with Man
oldtraffordfaithful.com/sky-sports-daniel-james-agrees-personal-terms-with-man-united/
Manchester United continue to be linked with a move for Swansea City winger Daniel James - although this morning we have had contradicting reports. Earlier on, we covered a story which stated that the Red Devils had agreed a £15million fee to sign the Wales international. However, shortly after
The incredible stats that prove there is a player more important to Tottenham than Harry Kane. There has been plenty of discussion about Harry Kane's injury but he is not Tottenham's most important player this season.
Should You Bet on Spurs to Win the 2019 Champions League?
Five players the Gunners should sell this summer, including Mesut Ozil see naija April 23, 2019 Leave a comment Gunners boss Unai Emery will reportedly sanction a clearout at the Emirates in order to fund transfers.
4 players Arsenal should sell this summer - sportskeeda.com
Championship round-up: Norwich forced to wait for Premier League return, Derby boost play-off hopes with late victory, plus more by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 22 Apr Championship leaders Norwich missed the opportunity to go within touching distance of promotion after being held to a 2-2 draw at Stoke on Easter Monday.
Sheffield United 2-0 Ipswich Town: Blades on brink of Premier
'There is the chance you have seen the last of players' - Solskjaer says some Man Utd stars won't return Huddersfield Town v Manchester United ; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned some
'There is the chance you have seen the last of players
Scotland manager news: Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke says he
A stunning hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo fired Portugal into the final of the Nations League with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Porto. A closely fought contest at Estadio do Dragao was
Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: Cristiano Ronaldo scores
Will Man United Or Arsenal Take Chelsea's Place In The Top 4? | Comments Below 18:47 After Arsenal comfortably beat Chelsea, there are only three points now separating Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United. Poet and Vuj chat about the implications of the weekend's action and which team is best equipped to finish in the coveted Champions League place.
Rafael Benitez has transformed Newcastle into entertainers
Aaron Ramsey 'feels all Arsenal', says Unai Emery after
No comments:
Post a Comment