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El Derbi Madrileño is looming large and Los Blancos are about to face their annual visit to the dentist. The Mattress Makers will be keen to take advantage of an arch rival still finding their feet early in the season. This
is Atletico’s biggest game on the calendar. The game they live for. They generally play their best games against us regardless of form. It’s not so much about the quality of players they have at their disposal but the existential nature of the brutal encounter.
This game could be the match Mourinho needs to light a fire under his players. The team will have to put in a complete performance to take 3 points at the Wanda.
The players have been positive this season so far, taking the loss to Betis on the chin and carrying on. The Derbi is different. You don’t get to just forget about it. A bad result will be talked about all the way to the end of the season. It can also have the effect of dropping us further back behind the high flying Catalans. 3 points off the pace is already flirting with disaster.
A Real Leader
Kylian shows a keen understanding of the team’s current situation. He has looked relaxed and really enjoying his football this season. He does not expect to win every game immediately just because Mourinho is the coach. If the rest of his teammates share this feeling that they should work hard now to be prepared for the key part of the season.
A Potential Midfield 3
Mourinho is still too conservative to try and dominate or compete for possession against teams that are good at it. Practice makes perfect. We are practicing counter attacking football and when we meet a team that isn’t susceptible to counter attacks we will struggle to fumble our way out of a wet paper bag.
Tchouameni, Jude and Arda have complementary strengths. Jude is the balance. He is excellent on both sides of the ball and he can do special things on top of that. Both Arda and Jude can carry the ball effectively. Arda is the “on-the-ball” player, who can control possession. Tchouameni is the defender in midfield. The trio gives us, defence, pressing, passing, press resistance and possession. It’s not perfect but it’s balanced enough to give us control of the ball.
