Numancia vs Atleti Preseason Notes
First game from Atletico in the preseason and we’ve gotten to see part of the plans for the coming season. Still going to be 3 at the back, more importantly there seems to be major changes with the midfield and attacking line. The attacking level is a bit lower than usual but there’s still work to be done in the transfer window so this clearly isn’t the final product.
I’ll give a review on all of the players I’ve seen and what I expect from them going forward. So as
Arthur Vermeeren
Much improved, when he first joined he general level while very high it was more in his overall potential. He wasn’t quite up to speed for La Liga but he’s shown a huge leap in speed in all his actions. Still not quite at the level out of possession that I'd like but it's more than ready for Atletico.
Santiago Mouriño
Mouriño makes the right hand side much more dynamic in possession by making driving runs and his dribbling going forward. Not at the same level but he’s reminiscent of Bastoni for Inter Milan in his movement. Good passing and secure in and out possession. I didn’t get to see the full extent of defending to comment on it yet and with a yellow he'll likely be more passive than he otherwise should in the game. I expect to see more of him in the first team throughout this season.
Aitor Gismera
Only played about 15 minutes, same as Monserrate but was not quite at the level he had showed last preseason. Hopefully his loan in the Segunda will give him the confidence to dictate play in midfield like I know he can.
Ilias Kostis
A rock of a player, sound in most things that did, passing, position on and off the ball, Set Pieces, Aerial dominance. A little too casual with his passing at times, would be in his best interest to stay focused at all times. I expect him to be in around the first team dynamics the next season seeing as he’s already debuted last season.
Axel Witsel
A little lower to his usual standard, may be due to his reduced preseason. While he was responsible for the goal,
Koke
Good level shown from the Captain, looks fresh and ready to have another good season. With some depth in his position he may not need to play nearly as much minutes this season, hopefully this means we can conserve his level throughout the season.
Rodrigo Riquelme
Scored a Brilliant goal and did some nice things off the ball in a much further forward position than he did last season. If this goal is any indication for his finishing this season, there’s a lot of great things to come.
Samuel Lino
Even more confident than last season, more willing to explore and roam the pitch while still maintaining his defensive responsibilities. Managed to grab an assist with Riquelme, strike so he’s already off to a great start.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Safe all around, continuing where he left off last season. Came off for Mouriño after about 30 minutes as he got elbowed across his face and started bleeding.
Thomas Lemar
Starting to understand why we were pushing so hard for an AM. Playing nearly the whole season with Saul in his position, the difference is night and day. Vital to the attack in nearly all ways, was very nice to see him back to it after so long away.
Angel Correa
Not much to complaint about, does most of the things he's known for but at a more frequent rate and more consistent level. He was playing at 9 due to us currently having no CF’s in the squad at the moment.
Marcos Llorente
A bit weak defensively, he’s become more decisive in picking out runs forward as well as cut backs. This season may be the final refinement in that department, still not sure we should reward last season with RWB shifts but he’s a trooper regardless.
Taufik Seidu
Comfortable nothing too crazy, if you didn't know Atletico you'd assume he's just a first team player. Which is frankly the most absurd part about him considering he's 16 y/o. Lots of great things about him but his overall game at this level is very high, there is a gem on our hands here.
Adrian Niño
Great runs off the ball both to pressure and create chances, needs to refine his techniques to get players off him while he’s playing with the B team with Fernando Torres. I expect to see him making his debut this season.
Carlos Gimenez
Strangely confident for a new transfer, good level for a fullback and comfortable with or without the ball. His crossing was also good but it’s clear he still lacks experience at this current level. One to follow.
Pablo Perez
Full of energy and dynamism, a bit raw in terms of physicality and needs a bit more experience in build up. Hopefully has a good year in the B team and we can review him again this time next year.
Omar Janneh
Probably the only real 9 that played on the pitch today and he showed his capabilities in the position. Very intelligent for a 17 y/o, in his pressing and his hold up play. One to follow.
Dani Martínez
Fast, Aerially comfortable, good passing. We should probably thank our good fortunes to get a LCB prospect this good while already having Kostis in our fold. I would like to see him make his debut this season.
Javi Serrano
Played a sort of sweeper role in both midfield and the CB line, I won't pretend to know exactly where he played this game as the second half formation changes eluded me but what he did defensively and off the ball was commendable. Nice runs, nice anticipation but he always had these things prior to his loans. Still needs to get better passing but there’s good signs here, we’ll see what the club decides to do with him.
Jano Monserrate
Brief Cameo and unfortunately so as he was a very exciting aspect of the attack at the start of the second half. Has a very good understanding of how to both link players and be vertical in attack. One to follow.
Javi Galan
Due to ever changing nature of the left hand flank his prominence grew and waned as the game went on, regardless I was not that impressed. If he stays I need him to gain more confidence to dribble forward and cross in to the box that he does at a very high level.
Carlos Martin
After a brilliant season in Segunda he’s come to show off his talents with the first team. He played behind Janneh/Niño throughout the second half, nice movement and passing but the forward line didn’t have as much involvement in the second half. According to most news reports he may be on his way to another loan but in the first division this time.
Conclusion
A decent first showing for the preseason, we seem to be moving to a sort of 3-4-3 in possession and 5-4-1 out of it but considering that we don’t really have a CF as Samu is in Olympics, Griezmann is still on vacation and we haven’t finished our transfers not too much to say. Obviously there’s a grain of salt as Numancia is in the fourth division but the level at which the youth players were at was very very good. I’m excited for the rest of Preseason.
P.S. I know I didn’t talk about the keepers but there really wasn’t much to say, neither side was really tested and Gomis saved a pen in the shootout, that’s it.