Changes at Atlético Madrid this season
Los colchoneros have brought players in this summer, most notably up front, but they have also lost important figures
In the last few seasons Barça against Atlético Madrid have met on several occasions. As well as in the league, the two clubs have come face to face in the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and in the Spanish Super Cup. You could say that the two sides know each other well but after so many changes at Atlético this summer with players arriving and departing on an almost daily basis, los colchoneros will have a very different look about them on Saturday (8.30pmCET) at the Vicente Calderón.
The philosophy of the team from Madrid this season, however, will not change as they continue to be the on-field embodiment of their coach Diego Pablo Simeone. In goal there have not been great changes as Jan Oblak and Miguel Ángel Moya continue as the principal options between the posts for the Argentine. Outfield is a different story with important differences all over the pitch for Simeone’s side and we take at look at them right here.
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Defence
Up until last season Atlético had one of the most solid centre back partnership in the league in the form of Miranda and Diego Godín, backed up by the emerging talent of José María Giménez. This summer the Brazilian has left to club to join Inter Milan and Atlético have signed Stefan Savic from Fiorentina in his place.
The other big story is the return of Filipe Luis at left back. The Brazilian left the club in 2014 to join Chelsea but his stay in London lasted all but a season and he know finds himself back under the orders of Simeone.
Midfield
Further up the field there have also been significant developments in the middle. Atlético have lost several important figures in midfield, the most notable Arda Turan, who signed for FC Barcelona in the summer. Also departed are Cani, Mario Suárez and Raúl García, the latter moving to Athletic Bilbao on the final day of the transfer window.
To cover the players who have left, Atlético have recalled Óliver Torres and Thomas Teye who were on loan last season at Porto and Mallorca respectively. They have also signed Belgian Yannick Carrasco from Monaco.
Up front
The changes do not stop when we reach the forward line. Strikers Mario Mandzukic and Raúl Jiménez have both left the club, the Croat joining Juventus and the Mexican Benfica. To replace them up front they have picked some of the most sought after talent in European football. Jackson Martínez has arrived after impressing greatly in recent seasons with Porto.
Atlético have also brought in two young Argentinian talents in attack. Ángel Correa was on the verge of signing for the club last summer but this time he has finally put pen to paper. The other newcomer is Luciano Vietto who impressed last season at Villarreal. The 21 year old is reunited with Simeone, the coach who gave the striker his first taste of top flight football when they were together at Racing Club de Avellaneda in Argentina.
This is the new look Atlético Madrid that Barça will come up against on Saturday in the Vicente Calderón. The home side have picked up six points from a possible six at the moment, the same as the blaugranes, with wins over Las Palmas and Sevilla.
Source: http://ift.tt/1KEgmZk
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