After three consecutive victories, Atlético Madrid had yet another rude awakening when they traveled to Balaídos on Sunday. It was a chance to close the gap to FC Barcelona, who lost earlier in Seville, and remain within reasonable distance of league leaders Real Madrid.
But alas, that is a chance that has gone in vain.
Having scored 10 goals – five in each game – this past week, the Rojiblancos appeared to have turned over a new leaf. It was the first signs of much needed momentum in this campaign
but, heading into the international break, Diego Simeone is once again left scratching his head.
Here are some key takeaways from Sunday’s match at Celta, in which Atlético went ahead early (again) and conceded a second-half goal to Iago Aspas following a Clément Lenglet red card.
Poor on the road
Atlético have failed to win any of its four games away from the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The Rojiblancos have scored just four goals, one in each game, and this result is also the third consecutive 1-1 draw on the road after the opening day 2-1 defeat at Espanyol.
The quality of opposition has definitely been beatable, and Atleti led in all four games before dropping points. That is nine points dropped on the road from winning positions. For a side that has spent heavily and is trying to close the gap to Real Madrid (eight points last season) and Barcelona (12 points), this is simply unacceptable.
These results were preventable, these points dropped because of self-inflicted errors that the coach and the players continue to make. As in the last away game at Mallorca, Atlético had a player sent off against the run of play. Against Alavés, an early goal was cancelled out by a penalty kick and in the opening game, poor substitutions drained all the momentum from a dominant performance and allowed Espanyol a shocking comeback victory.
Surprisingly, the attack also fails to fire on the road. In two of these games, in Vigo and at Alavés, Atleti even scored inside seven minutes on both occasions but never produced another clean shot on target. Though conditioned by the Lenglet red card, Atleti managed just one shot on target at Balaídos — a shocking statistic amid the free-scoring line that the team has been following.
The best teams know how to travel. This Atleti side doesn’t.
Continued reliance on Clément
This is not the first time that I have mentioned the French defender in a takeaway – and not in a positive light. I sincerely hope this is the last.
Sunday’s sending-off was not just detrimental for Atlético’s chances to win the game; it was entirely unnecessary. And though Atlético are reportedly outraged at the continued low standard of Cesar Soto Grado’s refereeing, Lenglet left the referee with a decision to make; of course, he made it.
Lenglet had already been booked on 25 minutes, when forward Ferran Jutglà forced him into a late challenge. The second was an even-cheaper foul on Jutglà, one that a player with his experience should not be conceding.
With the side having regained possession, Lenglet found himself on the touchline in Celta Vigo’s half under relative pressure. There were far simpler ways out, but the Frenchman attempted to play right through the oncoming Jutglà and had the ball intercepted. There was a long way to go still, an entire half’s worth, and Atleti had a 3v3 in the defensive transition. However, Lenglet chose to pull Jutglà down, and even the defender might find it hard to explain that decision. He was rightfully given his marching orders, and the Rojiblancos were left to play with 10 men for the remaining hour.
Lenglet has truly struggled this season with more playing time, and this is not the first time we have seen him concede cheap fouls that benefit the opposition. It is mildly confusing that Dávid Hancko has not already displaced him in the starting lineup, but Cholo Simeone seems to trust the Frenchman in that left-sided center-back position. Moreover, Matteo Ruggeri and Javi Galán’s struggles at left-back have meant that Hancko has had to fill in there instead. The club’s failure to bolster the left side of defense is already showing this early into the season, and the dropped points are a direct result of this shortcoming.
Lenglet’s suspension has forced Simeone’s hand but nevertheless, Atleti need to figure out its best defensive combination soon. And hopefully, this combination does not rely on Lenglet.
Break at the right time?
Álex Baena got more minutes on Sunday, and Atlético are not far off from welcoming Johnny Cardoso and Thiago Almada back either. The last time the three of them were on the pitch together was the opening 45 minutes of the opening game of the season. It is no coincidence that it was also the last time the Rojiblancos looked dominant on the road.
With a crucial run of games to come, particularly in the Champions League, the Colchoneros need a squad at full strength if they want to taste success this season. This international break might just buy them the time they need to get key players back.
After all, with the trio injured, most of Atleti’s starting lineups have been nearly identical to those of last season. Signings like Almada, Baena, Cardoso, Hancko, and even Ruggeri were meant to take this team to the next level but, having lost players so early in the season, the Rojiblancos are truly yet to reap the benefits. A friendly in Libya against Inter Milan on Friday might just be the right time to work them back into fitness, if possible (though Baena is on Spain duty).
More importantly, the break also gives the club a chance to breathe and regroup – and avoid straying further behind in the absence of their stars. Atleti host Osasuna right after the break, a side that sits just three points behind them. This is followed by a visit to Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Champions League, and they travel again right after to fourth-place Real Betis.
One can only hope for a dramatic change in away form, or else the season could very quickly be straying out of Atleti’s hands.
