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Atletico Madrid has looked in decent form in the ongoing La Liga season. Although Diego Simeone’s side has played well in patches, they are currently sitting at the thirrd position in the points table.
In the last LaLiga season, the team had finished second in the points table with 79 points and looked dangerous in every department.
The team did well in the last Europa League season too, as Atletico Madrid were clearly the most dominating side in the entire tournament.
They beat French side Marseille in the final with a 3-0 scoreline. In the ongoing season, the team' performances have been steady but they can still make some improvements as the players need to take inspiration from the last season so as to produce the desired results.
Diego Simeone and the team management have kept the players motivated which has enabled them to be on par with some of the best clubs in Europe.
Atletico Madrid won their Champions League group game against AS Monaco on 28th November with a 2-0 scoreline. Still, Simeone's side needs to keep improving. Their La Liga game on 2nd December against Girona ended in a 1-1 draw.
The players too need to keep themselves motivated and have to pull up their socks. They have put up some determined efforts rather than relying on one or two players. With the type of talent, Atletico Madrid has in their dugout, the red and whites are serious contenders to not only win the La Liga title but also the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid can be a big threat for any big club in the Champions League if they can live up to their expectations.
Simeone has done extremely well in reestablishing the team since the last few seasons. Atletico Madrid produced an accomplished performance yesterday too, by winning against Alaves with a 3-0 scoreline.
Diego Simeone’s side has challenged some top-class sides in Europe by playing to their strengths.
Atletico Madrid is a side who can’t be taken lightly as they can surely surprise the big guns of European football.
The team consists of some class performers who have a vast amount of talent and can deliver whenever the team needs them to.
We take a look at five such players who have played a crucial role for Atletico Madrid in the 2018-19 season.
# 1 Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann played an instrumental role in guiding France to their second World Cup this year.
He also proved his with some gritty performances for Atletico Madrid in the 2017-18 Europa League season which they won by beating Lyon in the final.
The 27-year-old scored 19 goals with nine assists to his name in 32 games. In the Europa League, last season Griezmann scored six goals in eight games with four assists to his name.
In the ongoing La Liga season, the striker has already scored four goals in 15 games with four assists to his name.
In the ongoing Champions League season Griezmann has scored four goals in five games with two assists to his name.
The striker is looking in decent form in the ongoing season and will be expected to call the shots in the remaining matches.
The Frenchman is a vital link along with Diego Costa in the forward line. Griezmann also scored a goal in his team's 3-0 win over Alaves yesterday.
The striker can outclass the opposition’s defense with his accelerating pace and has showcased his ability to score from unusual positions.
Griezmann can floor any defense with his quick counter attacks and creative dribbles. He has also been a vital link because of his coordination with the midfield.
Griezmann scored a goal in Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win over Monaco in the Champions League group game last week.
# 2 Rodrigo Hernandez
Rodrigo Hernandez's presence has added a much-needed acceleration in Atletico Madrid's midfield line because of his pace and speed.
Diego Simeone will be hoping the Spaniard comes good in the upcoming matches, as his presence has surely lifted the side’s spirit.
The midfielder's biggest strength is his ability to attack which can floor the best defenses when he is at his best.
His combination with the likes of Saul Niguez and Koke in the midfield line will be crucial for Atletico Madrid.
Although Hernandez has scored only two goals in 12 games in the ongoing LaLiga season the striker's goalscoring abilities can’t be undermined.
The 22-year-old can outrun any opposition with his powerful runs and exhilarating pace. His intensity on the field and his never say die attitude has been a motivating factor for his teammates. The midfielder also scored a goal in their win 3-0 over Alves yesterday.
Hernandez can also play as a defensive midfielder which offers a great amount of depth in the squad.
He has been a clever operator during set pieces too and can baffle any defense with his smooth and clever passes.
Hernandez has troubled the best defenses and his aggressive runs have unsettled the best opposition.
Diego Simeone had stated that the midfielder is an integral part of Atletico Madrid and will be a key figure in the upcoming games too.
Although Hernandez hasn't scored any goals in the ongoing Champions League season the opposition has found it difficult to handle his attacking runs.
Hernandez has always loved challenges from big clubs and it will be interesting to see how he fares against teams who have a robust defense.
#3 Koke
Koke has been the core of Atletico Madrid’s midfield along with Saul Niguez and Vitolo. His coordination with them has been crucial, as Koke can also play as an attacking midfielder.
He has also combined well with the forward line consisting of Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann. The Spaniard has added a lot of depth in the squad as the 26-year-old can play offensively as well as defensively.
The midfielder has been a tricky opponent because of his ability to score goals from unusual positions.
Koke has been a constant threat inside the box because of his precise finishing. It will be interesting to see how the midfielder responds while playing against sides who are strong defensively in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Koke has been a clever operator during set pieces and can outfox the opposition with his speed and control. Koke has also showcased his ability to move more freely at the flanks.
Although Koke has scored only one goal in 12 games in the ongoing LaLiga season, his long passes have always been laden with precision which has enabled the strikers to move more freely in the opposition's territory.
He recently scored a goal in Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win over AS Monaco in their Champions League match.
Koke has scored two goals in four Champions League games in the ongoing season. The Spaniard also provides stability in the midfield.
#4 Filipe Luis
Filipe Luis has been the heart of Atletico Madrid’s defence and will be a vital cog in the absence of the Argentine Diego Godin.
The Brazilian has been a vital link for Atletico Madrid, as the 33-year old’s presence adds a much-required solidity at the back.
Simeone will be banking on his services especially while playing in the Champions League, as Luis has loads of experience of playing against some of the heavyweights of European football.
Luis has been an influential figure in Atletico Madrid's defense. His ability to keep the ball in possession with his presence of mind can shut out the best attacks.
Filipe has in the past showcased his class with his aggressive tackles and his ability to win the ball from the opposition.
Luis’ role will come into play when Atletico Madrid play during the knockout rounds when they will play against some tough opponents.
Luis has looked equally strong while breaking the opposition's counter attacks with his intelligent moves.
#5 Angel Correa
Correa has showcased his talent with his ability to run through the defense with is electric runs and brilliant counter-attacks. P
laying alongside experienced campaigners like Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa is surely helping him develop as a player.
His ability to push back the opposition’s defense with his speed and fast moves has been a big threat for any opponent.
Although the 23-year-old has scored only two goals in 15 LaLiga games in the ongoing season. Correa provides an extra edge in the forward line.
The striker has been a tough competitor in terms of his aggressive runs and his precise one-touch passes.
The Argentine will surely be an x-factor for Atletico Madrid because of his ability to breach any defense with his darting runs.
