Anomaly Atletico Madrid Tactics
For Spanish football , Atletico Madrid is a gaffe . The antithesis of anything we know about the game characteristic of the matador country .
Spanish Football synonymous with posession football , or more specifically the tiki – taka . But , in the last few seasons , Atletico seemed to confront it all . With his confident Diego Simeone once said , ” posession is not everything . Fact Atletico remain great without the ball . ”
Atletico is the opposite of everything you can imagine about the Spanish club . Compare with Barcelona in the last decade synonymous with domination of possession. I was so crazy about crazy with the ideology of the ball from foot to foot , the former manager Pep Guardiola once said , ” Without the ball , Barcelona is a bad team . ”
Even the Spanish national team also confirms tiki taka as their hallmark , especially when a double degree , ie the 2012 European Cup and 2008 and 2010 World Cup champion .
Then if the anomaly Atletico Madrid ?
Actual pattern designed Simeone is simple . He stressed that the compact game up front with David Villa put in front and Diego Costa was standing behind him . Both supported the midfield play tightly and diligently tackle and interception .
Worthy of note is Atletico so teams in La Liga with the highest average of Dachshund , ie 24.6 per game .
Midfield lead by Arda Turan and Koke ‘s also smart to use the width of the field and then cut into the penalty box . ” We’re not a team that is based on individual games , ” said Arda Turan told FourFourTwo . ” We are a collective group , hardworking group of players , ” he added .
In addition , an interesting model is the placement of individual Atletico similar to models that emphasize the power of possession football in the middle of the field . But , not to gain control of the ball . Strength in midfield is constructed of players who can play in various positions . They will force the opponent to make a hole in the middle and force the enemy player to make a mistake .
Yes , what was done by Atletico footballer with his foot so different . They make a tackle into a dangerous weapon . In fact , Dachshund itself is something that is diminished by Spanish football . As told by Xabi Alonso in an interview with the Guardian , ” I’ve never seen a tackle as a valuable quality , or a characteristic of the game . Tekel only be done if needed . , But it is not something that should be pursued . “
But in fact his own way Simeone Atletico were able to generate. In fact, he created one of the best periods in the history of the club.
On December 23, 2011, Atletico Simeone took over when the club out of the relegation battle. Before Simeone took over, Atletico can only get 19 points from 16 matches. However, after the arrival of Simeone, they can earn 37 points from the next 22 games.
In the same season , former Argentina midfielder was able to bring his team to the Europa League to put an end to La Liga at the fifth position . Then , the following season , or 2012/2013 , they ended the league in third place with ” only ” miss nine points behind Real Madrid . Even Simeone beat their rivals in the final of the Copa del Rey . Do not forget also his achievements this season : to steal the league title and Champions League runner – ups .
Modern 4-4-2 formation and Atletico Strong Defense
One thing worth noting from foster children Simeone Atletico so this is how the team organized defense .
Topped the league is done in a way so the team that conceded the least . This figure is also supported with an average second-lowest shot after Barcelona conceded . Throughout the season , Atletico only allow the enemy to have embarked on average 8.9 shots on goal per game . But this is the note that the kick is usually removed from areas that are not dangerous ( 52 % kick from outside the penalty box ) .
Simeone himself like a 4-4-2 formation . This formation may be too rigid when attacked , but so the foundation of their defense system is very strong .
In fact , when it is not in possession of the ball , they still use the 4-4-2 system , or more accurately 4-4-2-0 system . Simeone was fun just to lose David Villa , who contribute more when not in possession of the ball , rather than play the Adrian Lopez , Diego Ribas , or Raul Garcia .
In a unique , brilliant Atletico defense also started from the front . This is because the attackers and midfielders they did very well in the last play .
But if we listen to the following statistics, perhaps we can imagine the type of game Simeone when play is not it?
Pressure of Double Wing Attacker and Second
Atletico defense that starts from the front is designed to take advantage of both the attacker . Usually , they will go down to the area to cut the opponent’s defensive midfielder pass the ball . Then , one of the two attackers will move to the side of the field , and one more striker pressing to an opponent who is possession of the ball . This is done so that the opposing player moves , or drain the ball , to the side Atletico want.
In addition, both their wings , Koke and Arda Turan , also has a very impressive work rate . They both hit their opponent mercilessly , disturbing touches the ball while making a tackle , before finally running sprints with the ball quickly .
Both wingers are the catalysts in the Atletico game system , especially in regaining control of the ball . Koke and Turan itself has a mean recovery ball 7 times every game . Both of these players did not hesitate if you have a foul to the opponent .
Defensive Midfield role
The Atletico midfielder also often perform remarkable run, even though their main task is to protect the back four. Typically, playing in the middle is Gabi and Tiago, and both are able to cover each other perfectly. One of the pressure, while another sweep or take the ball from behind.
No matter who is doing the pressing or moving to the wing, then the partner is always there in the back. This scheme helped by the winger who frequently move into the midfield area as compensation of the system.
Four players in the Rear
Fourth Atletico defender very well and works perfectly as a unit . Juanfran and Filipe Luis was fond of riding to attack , but they were also very quick to get back into a defensive position .
In fact , the two are often seen as a third or fourth central defender , especially against a team that is more like the ball against Barcelona yesterday .
Juanfran and Luis was instructed to meminimalisasir space between the center backs and full-backs . Overall, the team is Atletico compact , narrow , well-organized , filling the room with brilliant , hit your opponent mercilessly , and ruthlessly exploit mistakes made by the opponent .
Dead Ball Strategy
Not only about survival , Atletico was a pleasant surprise and praised for their foresight to take advantage of opportunities in the dead ball scheme .
On a corner kick , giving the bait will usually send the ball sharply towards the near post . There are also some interesting tricks , like against Porto , which is when they have nine people in front and leaving only one player in the back .
In dead ball situations , Atletico providers not only have good feedback and also the king in the air ( Raul Garcia and Diego Costa ) , but there are other intelligent brain , namely the players that a smart move at the time of crossing is released , look for the right timing , a strategic zone , lure your opponent , and also anticipate the gag balls
conclusion
Although not getting the Champions League trophy , although it is recognized that the work of Simeone at Atletico Madrid truly remarkable . In just two and a half seasons he is able to build a complete team Atletico in designing all fronts . Not only has the transition to play in both directions are nearly perfect , and they were practicing intensely to carry out counter – pressings .
Atletico were able to maintain a remarkable formation when they ‘re master ball possession ( without no lingering hold of the ball ) and works wonderfully well without the ball . With perfect movement and extraordinary compactness .
Filipe Luis , as well as Diego Costa , has been transformed so world-class players . Thibaut Courtois is on his way to becoming one of the best goalkeepers in Europe . Meanwhile , Koke and Arda is an ingenious wing , and Godin , Miranda , and Gabi , have a player with a very good system .
Not to mention talking about Raul Garcia , David Villa Diego Ribas , Tiago , Mario Suarez , and Juanfran are also world class . But the competition is over and the next challenge is already waiting in front of the eyes . One of them of course is a matter of defending players . Costa reportedly been officially docked to the city of London , while Koke and Arda Turan was coveted by many big clubs , the offers are hard to resist given the financial condition of the needy .
Ability as a coach Simeone will continue to be tested . Is he still able to create magic with a different squad ? Worth the wait .
rini314 