FIFA 17’s release is just a month away, and just like you, we can’t wait to get our hands on EA Sport’s latest football game. With new additions like “The Journey”, where a young rookie lives out his dream of playing in the Premier League, and the new Frostbite engine, which was previously used by EA Dice in Battlefield will add a lot of ‘feel’ to this new mode and the entire game, as a whole.
FIFA has also changed the way set-pieces are taken, and AI players will make more intelligent runs. Marco Reus was voted by fans’ all over the world as the FIFA 17 cover star, replacing Lionel Messi
In a league completely dominated by two of Europe’s giants- Barcelona and Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, under the excellent leadership of Diego Simeone imposed their own brand of football to win La Liga in 2014 to be the first team to do so in 10 years, apart from the big two. They also finished runners-up in UCL in 13/14 and 15/16, before losing out to their neighbors on both occasions.
Atletico Madrid is a team of immense potential, and will once again be serious contenders for La Liga and the biggest of them all- the Champions League. Let’s take a look at Atletico’s predicted player ratings for FIFA 17:
#1 Goalkeepers and defenders
Jan Oblak: 82 → 84
Atletico Madrid’s No.1 Jan Oblak had a brilliant season last year and won the Golden Glove in La Liga last year. He kept a mammoth 32 clean sheets in La Liga and the UCL and is currently one of the best young goalkeepers in the world. Oblak would be rated 84, if not more.
Miguel Angel Moya: 80 → 80
Moya did not get too many opportunities, thanks to Oblak’s heroics, and has had to spend most of the season on the bench. However, it shouldn’t affect his rating and he should be able to keep the 80 card.
Filipe Luis: 82 → 83
The Brazilian was solid in Atletico’s defence when he came back from his loan spell at Stamford Bridge, and played a crucial part in Atletico's record of conceding the least number of goals in La Liga 2015-16. He was an important part of the Champions League runners-up’s defence, and should get an increase.
Jose Maria Gimenez: 79 → 81
The Argentine was very solid at the back for Atletico and featured in 35 matches across all competitions. He is also capable of chipping in with a goal or two, and combined with his young age of 21, Gimenez should manage a +2 increase.
Diego Godin: 86 → 88
Godin is one of the best centre-backs in the world and will be so in FIFA 17. Godin has been exceptional for Madrid since his arrival from Villareal in 2010 and is now the spearhead of their defense. He featured in almost all of Atletico’s matches last season and deserves to have the increased rating.
Juanfran: 81→ 82
The Spaniard was effective in his full-back role and featured in almost all of Atletico Madrid’s matches. However, he was not really at his best, but FIFA will, in all probability, increase his rating.
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#2 Midfielders
Saul Niguez: 76 → 80
The Spaniard had an amazing season at Atleti, scoring 7 goals and provided 4 assists. This was his breakthrough season and caught everyone’s eye with a wonderful solo goal against Bayern Munich in the semis. He is also very solid in his CM role, and should be awarded an 80 rating in FIFA’s latest.
Yannick Carrasco: 78 → 79
Carrasco had a decent season last year, but his best moment was the goal in Champions League. He had only 5 goals and 3 assists to his name, but certainly, has the potential for EA to award a +1.
Koke: 83 → 85
The Spaniard is Atleti’s creative force in midfield and was instrumental in their 3rd place La Liga and Champions League’ finish. His 5 goals and 15 assists in all competitions, along with the incredible potential he possesses, Koke should get an upgrade.
Nicolas Gaitan: 83 → 84
The Argentine was sensational in the Portuguese League and was one of the primary reasons why Benfica won the league. Another one of Atletico’s new signing, Gaitan will be an exciting prospect for Atletico. The midfielder is likely to get an increased rating.
Gabi: 81 → 81
He featured in almost all of Atleti’s games last season and played a decent role at CM but nothing too spectacular. He has done no harm to his rating, played well in CL, and should retain the 81 rating.
Alessio Cerci: 77 → 78
The Italian signed from AC Milan this season. He was good in the limited opportunities, scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in just 14 starts. However, his age of 29 will hinder a higher rating.
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#3 Forwards
Antoine Griezmann: 84 → 87
The Superman from France had the season of his life in 2015-16, where he was his club’s and country’s best player. Griezmann played an invaluable part in Atletico Madrid’s 3rd place La Liga finish, Champions finals’ and Euro 2016 runners-up medal with France. Griezmann scored 51 goals in all competitions for Madrid and 6 goals for France, winning the Euro 2016 Player of the tournament. The Frenchman will be one of the highly sought after players in FIFA 17.
Kevin Gameiro: 79 → 81
Gameiro is one of Atleti’s new signing and had a very good season with Sevilla last season. He scored 16 goals and provided 3 assists, and was also a key part of their Europa League triumph. The only problem is his age of 29, but that shouldn’t prevent him from getting an 81 card.
Fernando Torres: 79 → 80
The former Liverpool hero hasn’t had the best times since his departure from Anfield but seems to be at home at his boyhood club. He managed to score 11 goals and provided 4 assists in the limited first-team opportunities he got, and that should see him get a +1 bump in FIFA’s latest.
Angel Correa: 77 → 78
The Argentine started only 9 matches for the former champions but managed to rack up 6 goals and 4 assists. He did well last season, and should manage to get an upgrade.
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