Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has explained that while he would like to play Antoine Griezmann alongside big players Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez, he believes this could weaken them defensively. Los Colchoneros travel to Barcelona to face the Catalan giants in a top-flight match on Saturday at 9pm CEST.
One of the main talking points is the absence of Lamine Yamal.
“It is clear that he is extraordinary, in duels he is one of the best in an attacking sense. They don't have anyone with those characteristics, but they have Ferran, Olmo and Pedri to look for other alternatives.”
Simeone believes Hansi Flick will not change his approach for Atletico Madrid, and their high pressing will determine this.
“They look for pressure, as they have done so far and it has worked very well for them. They have always dominated the game and have been better than their opponent even when they have lost. I don't think their coach will change because it has always worked for them to be the main player.”
Simeone has reportedly tested a 5-4-1 in training this week, but Diario AS claim he will stick to a 4-4-2 with Samuel Lino out wide, Marcos Llorente at right-back and a midfield of Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo dePaul.
El Cholo was asked what Lino and Conor Gallagher could give them on the left of midfield, one of the big decisions he will have to make.
“Conor gives us a bit more work and arrivals from the second line, and recovery. Lino is more of a wing attacker, wider, more attacking, more for duels and more associative. In terms of goals they are equal, although one seems more attacking than the other.”
Simeone noted that the best thing he can do with Julian Alvarez is to put the right people around him, rather than trying to change his game, but that the World Cup winner's confidence allowed him to create more chances generate.
“Of course we would like to play all three, Julian, Griezmann and Sorloth, but then the blanket starts to get a little weaker,” he said, referring to the theory that you can only protect so much of yourself as a blanket. will leave a part of you uncovered.
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