Atlético changes its style

Atlético could not take all three points from

.

And it wasn't because he didn't try.

The rojiblanco team dominated the game from the first moment and

but a penalty signaled at the request of the VAR caused that the first and only shot of the Russians on goal throughout the game

Somewhat that Simeone's men were not able to bend, despite trying constantly and turning towards Guilherme's goal with maximum superiority in the first minutes of the second half,

.

The most important occasions did not materialize in a goal for details, with the Vallecano's header to the crossbar, the goalkeeper's save to the Portuguese or Suárez's shot that the goalkeeper found almost without expecting it.

from outside the area in a new sign that this Atlético is looking for the rival goal with much more zeal than in past seasons.

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A total of

.

This time the result was not good, but, put to tie, the vast majority of fans seem convinced that they are more grateful emptying themselves for trying to score another goal.

It must be borne in mind that

and will play two of the three games that are left in the group stage at the Wanda Metropolitano .

If competing with Bayern seems impossible, beating the Russians and Salzburg would guarantee to be in the next phase. 

Beyond the disappointment and frustration over the draw, the match in Moscow was further proof that this Atlético 2020-21 is much more prepared to attack and subdue the rival than in previous years.

Cholo placed the newcomer

in the previous match against Lokomotiv

: "The characteristics of the footballers always mark the path to seek and the coaches seek to empower the team. 

. There is a need to supply it,

. We were looking for other situations. Luis needs more people close to him, to live where it hurts and the team works in search of the most complicated path, which is the goal ".

João Félix, lighthouse in attack

And it is undoubted that the Uruguayan

but that he does play masterfully from behind, defines in the area and combines with his teammates better than previous forwards .

However, this new Atlético not only favors Suárez.

Having more of the ball and with more options to combine in the final meters has caused all the rojiblancos offensive footballers to be more accompanied up.

From the start,

.

The captain is the leader in that facet and frees a position on the wing that with the loss of Saúl has been covered by another offensive player. 

Thus, the Vallecano has seen two vertical players on the wings,

throwing off-marks, putting speed, constantly joining the attack and opening holes for

.

The Portuguese improves the team every time he comes into contact with the ball and with this new, more offensive version he feels much more protagonist.

He has achieved the continuity that Simeone demanded of him and is becoming the leader of the team in attack.

He came after two consecutive doubles, but a spectacular hand from Guilherme left him without a goal.

He offered a magnificent play with three cuts in the area that Suárez could not specify and again superclass details. 

Enlarge

João Félix drives the ball against Lokomotiv.ATLÉTICO DE MADRID

The wingers are also favored by this more offensive version of Atlético and players

Going to the data,

.

All except against Bayern and in the visit to Celta.

In all the games except those two there were more than 10 attempts to score (in Balaídos there were 9) and

 (against Villarreal there were 13 shots, but none on goal).

In the last four games they have scored nine goals and in total there are 17 goals in nine games (almost two per game). 

More control of matches

Regarding possession, Atlético has had the ball more than the rival in five of those nine games played so far

.

Not even against Bayern did it drop below 40% of possession, showing itself as a more dominant team and with more desire to be a protagonist in matches.

who always grow with the ball.

Another of the most drastic changes in the team is to see how, after getting ahead on the scoreboard,

Something that was proven to be successful against Osasuna, Betis or Granada, where winning did not prevent them from going for more goals and capturing their superiority above the scoreboard mainly in the second half.

Saul and Kondogbia Lace

Saúl returned to the team in Russia yesterday after missing five games due to discomfort.

, playing ahead of Herrera with more freedom to step on the rival's area and forming a line of three with the Mexican and Llorente on several occasions.

He was replaced at halftime by the captain, returning to the plan of the last games.

Hours before,

, muscle, power, recovery, shot and ball exit from the pivot.

Simeone will have a difficult time fitting everyone in, with a very competitive squad where each player will have to give their best to have minutes.

The doubt lies between continuing to play with a double pivot with four offensive players ahead or seeing Koke on the wing or Saúl on one side with a round trip plus a pivot behind,

.

Everything will depend on the moment of form, the rival in front and the type of game that the coach poses.

What seems clear is that this Atlético wants to be the protagonist with the ball again, reach the rival area more and supply balls to Suárez.

Although it may cause greater fragility behind,