With the Copa del Rey over, Atletico can take it a little easier next. Except for Villarreal in the next game, they are currently in sixth place, which is not a strong opponent. Champions League back-to-back opponents Qarabagh and Deportivo La Coruna, opponents in the next round, are not at all a cause for concern. Three games later, there was another half-month break in the international break, which was a super bonus compared to the previous week's double-match schedule against strong opponents.

The schedule was easy, and Simeone finally had time to solve the problems identified in the previous match. Atletico's biggest problem at the moment is attack, and the biggest obstacle is that Griezmann's form is far worse than last season. Previously, Simeone's arrangement of the two strikers was mainly based on Griezmann, and Wen Zhihao was more of a passing and auxiliary attack. However, it turned out that the efficiency output of the two men was completely opposite, with Antoine Griezmann scoring only two goals in the third line, while Wen Zhihao scored eight goals and provided an assist in the third line. In other teams, there are absolutely beautiful statistics that can have a tactical core position, and Simeone has been thinking about whether to put an appropriate burden on Wen Zhihao these days.

After two consecutive days of training, Simeone consciously asked Wen Zhihao to strengthen his personal attack, and observed the goal first after taking the ball in the dangerous area. Simeone is now deliberately letting Wen Zhihao be a little more unique. Since you can score goals, you should naturally take on more responsibility.

To Simeone's disappointment, however, the initial idea did not work out. Griezmann's desire for the ball is very strong, but Wen Zhihao is not a person who eats alone regardless of the interests of the team, Simeone communicated with Wen Zhihao alone after training, and he told Wen Zhihao that he can be selfish as a striker, and there is nothing wrong with it. But the answer he received left him speechless: "Boss, I think this is very good, I like to take everyone to score goals together to win the game, and besides, I don't miss any goals!" ”

Simeone couldn't cry or laugh for a while, he really hadn't seen a player like Wen Zhihao. Other young players want to do it alone, and they are always unhappy to pass the ball, but Wen Zhihao's sense of teamwork seems to be innate. Simeone felt that he was talking to a twenty-seven-year-old, mature veteran who had been in battle for a long time.

Boggs joked with Simeone behind his back: "Diego, he actually rejected your kindness, haha!" But his performance, I can only say that he is low-key enough! ”

Simone smiled, "Take your time." Some habits are engraved in the bones, he is a good field commander, I asked for this because of the situation, and when Costa can play, there will be no problem at all, but before this we can't afford to wait, we don't have the money to dig holes. You can only try to change it from the existing lineup. ”

……

In the tenth round of La Liga, Atletico Madrid sat at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to welcome the challenge of Villarreal. Atletico are still slightly stronger than their opponents. In the first half, Wen Zhihao assisted Correa to take the lead for Atletico Madrid, and before half-time, Wen Zhihao accurately picked up a pass and accurately found Correa on the right midfielder, who scored from a small angle, and Atletico Madrid almost ended the suspense in only half time.

Simeone made a very special adjustment in the second half, Griezmann was replaced, replaced by Augusto Fernandez, a midfielder who had just recovered from injury and returned from the last Copa del Rey game, Atletico Madrid's lineup changed from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1, and Wen Zhihao was used as a single arrow in front!

Everyone said that they couldn't understand this road, and they didn't understand what Simeone wanted to do, and the only possibility was to stick to it.

But is it necessary to face Villarreal?

The two-goal lead at half-time gave Simeone room to try and make mistakes, and in the second half, Atletico's attack almost turned into a speed show for Wen Zhihao, and although there were a few good chances, more often the opposition took the initiative. Bacca pulled a goal back for Villarreal in the 81st minute, and Atletico relied on an all-out defence to hold on for victory in the closing stages. However, Atletico Madrid, who judged both teams in the second half, were not small in question. The Madrid media even mocked Simeone in front of Simeone at a press conference that he did not know what to do with his substitution and abandoned his martial arts. Simeone hit back at everyone who thought the same thing with one sentence: "It's a new tactical attempt, the second half showed that there is still room for improvement, but no matter what you say, we are the winners in this game and the truth that the winner is king will be reflected in the standings." ”

This remark caused a lot of waves, but Simeone quickly threw himself into the preparations for the fourth round of the Champions League. The chance to qualify two rounds ahead of schedule is close at hand, he doesn't have time to pay attention to these lip experts, and what the media says, will he not count in his heart?

Reporter, the grass on the wall is falling down. This is the consensus of all famous coaches.

……

With only two days between the league and the Champions League, the players were not even fully rested before committing to back-to-back games, but a home win over Qarabag was not too difficult and Simeone had space to rotate.

Wen Zhihao played the full 90 minutes against Villarreal and had a lot of sprints in the second half, and his muscles were tired. Simeone followed the advice of the team doctor Mendez and did not put him on the eighteen-man list, completely giving Wen Zhihao two days off. Wen Zhihao was not happy at first, but Simeone deliberately put on a straight face and admonished: "You have done enough, rest well, it is an important task for you as much as scoring goals - if you don't want to miss the important games after you are injured." ”

Simeone, of course, knows the potential impact of Wen Zhihao's absence on the attack, but it does not mean that without Wen Zhihao, Atletico's attack will not work at all, it is nothing more than slowing down the pace and playing according to the routine of last season. Simeone communicated with Griezmann alone for a long time in the last training session before the game, in fact, the central meaning is one, this Wen Zhihao does not fight, it is up to you. It doesn't matter if the state is bad before, you can't drop the chain at the critical moment!

The dramatic turning point in the game was that Qarabag, who were playing away, were the first to score. Michelle's goal in the 40th minute showed the visitors' attitude to fight to the end.

The goal was like a basin of cold water poured on the head, waking up the careless luck of Atletico Madrid, and in the 56th minute, Thomas's world wave announced that Atletico Madrid began to fight back, and Griezmann sealed the victory with a pass and a shot in three minutes, proving his value at a crucial moment.

The game was a fierce physical confrontation, with two red cards on the pitch, and for Atletico the price of the victory was Savic being sent off in the closing stages with two yellows and one red, and the other to the opposing midfielder Pedro Enrique.

However, Atletico could afford the price as Roma beat Chelsea 3-0 at home to another big game that ended almost at the same time. Atletico, who have won four in a row and have 12 points, have an eight-point advantage over third-placed Chelsea and have already qualified from Group C two rounds ahead of schedule. Atletico's next biggest task is to face Roma, who have 10 points, to consolidate their top position in the group and lay a good foundation for the knockout round of 16.

In the next round, Atletico Madrid will play Roma directly at home for the top six points of the group, which will determine whether the two sides have a potential advantage in the first round of the knockout stage, which will affect the difficulty of the two teams in the knockout stage.

PS: Good morning, everyone!