Julian Alvarez fits into Simeone’s paradise | Football | Sports

For a counter-attack hero like Diego Pablo Simeone, this new football with its fast and vertical transitions is a kind of paradise. In this regard, the figures of the last two seasons are indicative: in both, 70 goals were scored, a figure surpassed only by the 13-14 season, in which Simeone won his first league.

Few passes and, if possible, they break lines – the perfect paradigm for a coach who usually says that his team plays “to get the ball to the number nine or my best player as quickly as possible”. That best player is Antoine Griezmann, who, in his best moments, is capable of creating chances and scoring goals alike. The same qualities as Julian Alvarez, the new signing who will make his debut at the Metropolitano today against Girona (21:30, Movistar). A test of height to see how Simeone and both players solve the problem of adhesion. Alvarez played for City in games of absolute control of the ball, with little space to run and also having to do the back-and-forth that is so typical of the Premier League.

It remains to be seen whether the search for Griezmann or Alvarez, or both equally, will prevail as offensive references. Until now, Griezmann has been the undisputed flagship of the Atlético project, and Alvarez came with the idea of ​​the club and the coach himself that he would sooner or later take on this role. The coach notes the differences between betting on João Félix and betting on his compatriot, whom he has already directly linked to the DNA of Atlético.

In any case, Simeone has enough for that Eden, a game of dizzying transitions, in which it is also doubtful whether he will dare to line up Griezmann, Alvarez and Sorloth at the same time. In pre-season, the Argentine coach had in mind the image of a double playmaker in attack with the Argentine and the Frenchman, and with Sorloth as the leader of the area. However, doubts about the Norwegian’s belonging are already arising after he was replaced by Correa at half-time in the match against Villarreal after a 2-2 draw. The Norwegian was accurate with the only ball that came to him in the conditions. Simeone justified his decision by saying that he did not interfere much in the game.

To say the least, the change was strange for a coach who loses many games, talks about strength, and about the figure of Alvaro Morata in the coaching staff, who said that he needed three or four chances to score a goal. Sörloth was deactivated at La Ceramica, unable to correct, at least for the first quarter of an hour of the second half, this lack of visibility in the attacking game. This change did not benefit Cholo, because Sörloth’s emotional state as a player signed to score goals was reduced, and without his presence the team fell apart. Fulfilment of the purpose for which he was signed was not enough for Sörloth at Vila Real.

The tests Cholo has undergone this week leave the Scandinavian on the bench for tonight. And the coach’s statements yesterday do not indicate his ownership either. “I have no doubt that players can always combine. It is a question of balancing, compensating, ensuring that the team is prepared to retain the characteristics of some players, but I am more than anyone else excited by the possibility of the idea of ​​Griezmann-Sorlot-Julian. -Correa, Sorlot-Julian-Griezmann, Riquelme-Sorlot…”, Simeone explained.

Balance has always been an obsession for Simeone, but even more so after he conceded 43 goals last season. They stopped the bleeding somewhat last year by using a 5-4-1 defensive system. However, last week against Villarreal, the same weaknesses in defense were revealed and it felt like the team was struggling to maintain this style of play. Paradoxically, it is the defensive aspect that is preventing Simeone from fully enjoying the paradise that today’s dominant attacking offer offers him. So, ownership of Sorloth is not guaranteed at the moment.

Langlais, because the salary cap prevented Hantzko from registering

Atletico had the liquidity to sign centre-back David Hanko (Feyenoord) for around €35 ​​million, but were unable to register him because they only had a €1 million margin on the €300 million salary cap. For this reason, Clement Lenglet was the player of choice, for whom he will pay Barça a total of €4 million for an annual loan. The departure of Samu to Porto (€15 million for 50% of the transfer), Mourinho and a third player (most likely Vermeeren) make Lenglet’s operation possible.

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