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Atlético de Madrid "grows", Thomas Lemar is reborn

2021-01-13T13:22:41.931Z


Now the favorite to win the title in Spain, Atlético can finally count on a Thomas Lemar back in shape.


If Atlético managed to get rid of Sevilla FC on Tuesday (2-0) and thus increase their lead over Real and Barça, Thomas Lemar is no stranger to this convincing result.

His multiple races by combining with several of his partners allowed him to be decisive by making the penultimate pass on the opener of Correa (17th).

This match is only the reflection of an almost unexpected return to form as the former Monegasque was in difficulty in his club.

Crowned with a title of champion of France and a semi-final of the Champions League with AS Monaco in 2017, Thomas Lemar signs at Atlético de Madrid on the eve of his world coronation with the Blues.

A summer 2018 that looked like a turning point in the career of the Guadeloupe.

The Colchoneros leaders have been following him for two years.

After a refused offer of € 25m (+ € 5m) in 2016 and its ban on recruiting in 2017, Atlético de Madrid won the bet and secured the services of the former Caennais for € 72m.

A record amount for the club at the time (beaten by João Felix's € 127 million in 2019).

Well helped by the other Frenchmen of the group, Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez, Thomas Lemar experienced a period of “express” integration which earned him a tenure in the UEFA Super Cup against neighbor Merengue (Atlético victory over Real 4-2 after extra time).

An acclimatization that he owes first to him according to his trainer, Diego Simeone: "I see in his eyes and in his approach a fantastic desire".

All the more revealing when we know that the runaway is not in the habits of the Argentine coach.

Difficulties in imposing

But now, Thomas Lemar does not confirm the hopes placed in him.

The Colchoneros came out by Juventus from the knockout stages of the Champions League and the Guadeloupe misses out on a great meeting.

On the other side of the Pyrenees, the amount of his transfer is singled out and his contribution to the team is no longer so obvious.

Thomas Lemar ends the 2018-2019 financial year in a disappointing way, supporters are getting impatient and his compatibility with Simeone's game is in question.

The following season, Thomas Lemar is once again disappointing with Atlético de Madrid.

The Madrilenians finish far behind the two cadors in La Liga and the French is still little in sight.

So much so that the world champion is pushed towards the exit by his trainer.

“He failed to meet expectations,” laments Simeone.

Between poor performance and physical glitches, Lemar definitely does not succeed at Atlético.

Until seeing the competition overtake him in the France team.

He has not played with the blue jersey since November 2019.

However, the current season is a renewal for Lemar and Atlético.

It is, as in 2014, Atlético de Madrid which could interrupt the reign of the two Spanish giants.

Simeone's men are four points ahead of Real and seven over a struggling Barça.

A gap that the Colchoneros could even increase by winning their two late games (at Levante on February 16 and against Athletic Bilbao on a date still unknown).

A dream first part of the season for Atlético and Thomas Lemar.

The French international has nine starts in 16 La Liga games.

A game system more suited to its qualities

If it seems (finally) to adapt to Atlético's playing system, it is because it has displayed a completely different face since the start of the season.

Diego Simeone has changed his mind and now advocates a style that is much more forward-looking.

As evidenced by the average goals scored per game: 1.94, against 1.34 last season or 1.44 the previous year.

Enough to be enthusiastic for the Argentine technician: "the club and the players are growing".

A new game project in which Lemar can finally express his qualities. 

⚽ Thomas Lemar's first goal this season in #LaLigaSantander!

# AtletiRealValladolidpic.twitter.com / 4vRT3jSkBq

- LaLiga (@LaLigaFRA) December 5, 2020

He has not yet regained the performance he had in Monaco but the Guadeloupe ended a period of scarcity of more than a year and a half by opening the scoring against Valladolid on December 5 (2-0). .

Since then, the former Caennais has once again shown performance, his performance against Sevilla (2-0) on Tuesday is the symbol.

In the 16th minute, the native of Baie-Mahault was in control of Correa's opening scoring.

The former Monegasque achieves a superb control in pigeon wing before opening on Trippier who crosses for the Argentine striker.

A state of form regained thanks to his work and his dedication.

"Thank God, lately, he has started to play better and has had more continuity and confidence," said Diego Simeone on the sidelines of the trip to Cornella in the Copa del Rey which ended in a defeat in Catalonia for the men of El Cholo.

Without much consequence for the Madrilenians, the objective remains the title in La Liga.

Read also

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Source: lefigaro

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