• Chronicle: Llorente takes Atlético out of trouble in Granada

  • Opinion.An Atleti without a nickname, by Carlos Toro

Just a year ago, Marcos Llorente scored his first goal for Atlético at the Mestalla.

Until that moment, the close to

40 million

that Atlético had paid to Real Madrid in the summer for their transfer

used to come to light

.

After

Rodri's

departure

, the rojiblancos were looking for a midfielder, but Simeone did not find him in Llorente.

In fact, until a year ago, little more than a tangle of doubts.

"What fills you as a coach is when you see the growth of a footballer like Marcos", admitted yesterday Cholo, who has been surrendered to his player for months.

"I would like to look for the images of Marcos training when he was not even called up," added the Argentine, who enthusiastically celebrated the goal and the assistance (he has accumulated eight of each this season with Atlético and 13 since his signing) decisive on the mat from Granada.

A year ago, oddly enough, Llorente had only played nine minutes in the Champions League and a few moments in the League.

An inconsequential piece that since that European catharsis at

Anfield

, has become essential.

Confinement did not stop him either.

In the Nuevo Los Cármenes, in the absence of Luis Suárez's punch, he presented himself as the best solution.

Five assists and two goals, in the seven games of a 2021 in which he dreams of playing the Eurocup.

A multipurpose knife that has also trotted down the band as a side, who has accompanied Koke in the center or has released the reins to unbalance a rough game, like yesterday in Granada.

"It happened to us with Griezmann, with Saúl, with Juanfran ... Why does it happen? Because footballers want and have the illusion of not lowering their arms," ​​insisted Simeone.

Llorente did not score the decisive goal in Granada, but his determination on the baseline wire allowed

Ángel Correa to be

able to search (and find) a remedy for the mess, with the involuntary help of Vallejo.

His is also worth studying.

41 goals and 15 assists in 261 games.

Always at the side of Simeone, who knows she has an angel when things get ugly.

What better way to blow out some candles than with a victory of those that brings titles closer.

Because

Koke

reached

Tomás Reñones

as the second player with the most games in the club's history: 483.

Adelardo's

553

, so far away for that kid on that first day at Camp Nou (2009), seem just around the corner .

"Koke gave us more fluidity in the middle and we were able to find more game," said Simeone, with the only but having conceded a goal again.

There are already five games in a row and a month without being able to leave the door to zero.

It is almost the least of it.

Atlético left Granada unharmed, and that Suárez did not have his afternoon.

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