discovolanteHow they should've looked to line up this year

29.11.2009

Robert O'CarlosFrom what I've read, isn't the problem more to do with the spacing out of the team rather than the personnel?

30.11.2009

discovolanteSorry, this was mainly just to show on another forum and I only published it accidentally, but I can explain in some more detail.

One of their biggest problems is their inability to dictate games in midfield, which then puts pressure on an already-fragile defence.

Assuncao is a very decent defensive midfielder but is more suited to playing in a 3 man midfield due to his weak passing game, Raúl Garcia has underperformed recently and players like Jurado aren't really conventional midfielders (he's more of a number 10).

Lucho Gonzalez and Emana are both strong, well rounded players who are very composed in possession. They'd give Atleti a far greater sense of control and protection, which would would improve the defence tenfold and also take some of the pressure away from Sergio Aguero who can struggle under such massive responsibility at times.

I think if/when they do sell el Kun, then they could think about switching to more of a 4-2-3-1 with Maxi, Jurado and Simao playing just behind Forlan.

02.12.2009