Joao Felix stars: Who did you call a flop? | Israel today

126 million euros invested in Joao Felix, threatened to collapse the prodigy • But after a season of shattered hopes and harsh criticism, came the change that made him the current hit of Atletico Madrid • Tonight in the Champions League awaits him Bayern Munich

• Joao Felix hovers over another obstacle

  Photography: 

  IP

Adaptation is not a simple thing.

The ability to adapt to a new environment, to get used to a situation we are not familiar with and to be perfectly absorbed into the system is something that each of us experiences.

At the same time it seems that in sports this process is much more complex.

Even if we experienced some difficulties in the place we came to, thousands of viewers did not stand to expect to see us bring results, the cameras were not aimed at us at any moment and did not judge us on every move.

The last year of Joao Felix's life can be a perfect example of the fragility that is in the spotlight of the most popular industry in the world.

Especially when it comes to a young guy.

When the 21-year-old Portuguese arrived at Atletico Madrid last year, no one thought about the fact that he comes with only one year of experience in the seniors, that he came to another country and that he is just a child.

Look at the amount the Colchoneros paid to Benfica - 126 million euros (the most expensive purchase in the club's history), constantly compare him to the man who replaced him, Antoine Griezmann and put all the frustration on him in the constant pursuit of Barcelona and Real in the hope that it would become titles.

Unfortunately he is experiencing injuries, seems unconnected, physically weak and there were already those who attached the title 'flop' to him.

Joao Felix scored nine goals and added just two touchdowns in 33 appearances in all competitions, and received harsh criticism from the media who had already tried to bring him back to his homeland.

Find his place

This season, so far, he stands at seven goals and two assists in 13 appearances, he is the king of team goals along with Luis Suarez, he is ranked first in his average score and in stark contrast to last year, seems like the real thing.

"I love playing football, if I enjoy it, I'm happy - and if I'm happy it can be seen in my ability," he said.

Felix's change may also be mental, but the turnaround is mostly due to professional changes.

The fundamental change is in his coach, Diego Simeone.

Since the Argentine came to stand on the lines he has gone almost nine years the same way, in a controlled game, in an old-fashioned 4-4-2, there are many who would say too defensive.

Simeone.

Changed approach and gave Joao Felix space // Photo: Reuters

Quite a few attacking players have passed under him in those years, when he tried to change them all and make them work hard at the back of the pitch as well.

There were a few who managed to combine these tasks, many of which failed - Jackson Martinez, Mario Mendžukić, Luciano Vito, Kevin Gmeiro, Albero Murata and more.

This year he seems willing to give more freedom to his creative players and the fact that he started playing with three attacking players is offending Joao Felix and the whole team.

Last year Atletico scored 51 goals in 38 games in La Liga - an average of 1.3 goals per game.

This year they scored 19 goals in 9 games - an average of 2.1.

"If Joao is good the team will automatically become more competitive," Simeone said and sounded pleased.

The second change is the arrival of Suarez.

The gunman who was thrown out of Barça came with a huge resume and took on the responsibility from the very beginning to be the main executor, both in the eyes of the media and in the eyes of the fans.

It allows Felix to adopt the role he prefers, to be under the striker, to move more freely on the field, to run to the territories, to dribble more and this is reflected in the numbers.

Even in games that Suarez did not play and Angel Correa replaced him, the pattern was maintained.

Apart from what is happening on the grass, Suarez is also close to Felix off the field and is a mentor for him.

"He feels confident, and if we all give him the help and support he needs, he could be a tie-breaker," the Uruguayan told the SS.

Athletic will meet Bayern tonight with a number of main goals: to avenge the defeat from the first meeting (4-0 for the Germans), to show that the improvement this year can also be reflected against a better team and to give Joao Felix the best help to prove that the adaptation journey is over.