Until the equator of September, when the summer market was already well closed, Ángel Correa did not appear through the Simeone lineups. Its sale, for no less than 40 million, would have implied the arrival of Valencian Rodrigo . Curiously, his absence in the three opening days (the premiere was lost by penalty) coincided with the most brilliant moment of this remodeled Athletic. Three victories in three games raised them to the lead in the first stop. Those achievements, despite the sweat with the goal that already appeared, made it difficult to predict that, surprisingly, it would be the beginning of the worst first lap since the arrival of Simeone (2011).

On Saturday, the same Correa who was the currency of change in summer, executed the Levant, in collaboration with two miraculous gaps from Jan Oblak . His irruption at the close of the first act of the season has been key for the Athletic numbers to have a much sweeter aroma today than he pointed out just a month ago. Just after falling against Barcelona.

The closing of the lap has been identical to the start, with three consecutive wins. Only in all of these the Argentine player has had a remarkable impact. His two goals (one opened the scoring against Betis and the other, against Levante) and two assists (the 2-0 against Saul, against Osasuna, and the gift to Morata, at Villamarín) have made Atlético At least, he has been able to match the 35 points that, however, mean his worst score with Simeone in front. In the 2016/17 season, he reached the same record, only with 12 more goals in his account. But these 35 points allow you to look face to face at the head they occupy, just five, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Morata's goals

The nightmare against the rival goal has been the biggest obsession of a redesigned team in summer. This is revealed, for example, the short two goals to Levante after 17 shots, eight to goal. Some, like those of Saul, at the beginning, or Joao Felix, in the end, unimaginable of failing in times not so distant, where Atlético trusted his future not only to his defensive security but to his punch. Morata , with seven goals in LaLiga (and two in Champions), has given a break to a team that has signed its poorest scoring record with the Argentine coach. Until now, the 27 goals of the 15/16 course, with Griezmann, Jackson, Vietto, Carrasco and Correa himself in attack, had been his most discreet conquest.

For this reason, and for the absence of Costa until the end of February, Atlético looks for a striker in the market without raising dust. "Morata is doing a tremendous job and Joao Felix is ​​very committed," Simeone recalled. Tomorrow, the team will travel to Saudi Arabia, in search of the Super Cup. For that first title, obviously, you will need the goals that you miss so much.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports
  • First division
  • Atlético de Madrid

LaLiga Can the Vallecas suspension be a precedent for the Camp Nou classic?

Winter market Cavani, in the labyrinth of Atlético de Madrid

LaLiga Santander 2019 - 2020Valverde is locked in the bunker