Atletico Madrid predicted lineup for 2023-24 season

Published at :August 13, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 5:43 PM

Diego Simeone is adopting a ‘back to basics’ approach as he wants Atletico to rediscover their identity

Simeone is looking to remould his squad, after being frustrated by their Champions League campaign in the 2022-23 season and the LaLiga as Barcelona eased away in the title race last season. Simeone has already strengthened the defense by signing experience players in Azpilicueta and Soyuncu.

Soyuncu is looking to put a difficult 12 months at Leicester City behind him as he aims to reward Simeone’s determination to sign him. Atletico Madrid will try to make an impact early on this season and build their season accordingly, look to win the LaLiga again and push forward in the Champions League this coming season.

With their new signings and some experience, Atletico’s lineup could very well look like this:

Goalkeeper- Jan Oblak

One figure who was absent for the final eight games of the 2022-23 season was the usually ever-present Jan Oblak. He missed the last eight games of the season due to a neck injury, the 30-year-old is the undisputed number one at Atletico and is regarded as one the best goalkeepers in the world. Given how badly he was missed at the tail end of the 2022-23 season, it is crucial for Atletico that he is back to his athletic, instinctive best before the start of the 2023-24 season.

Left-back- Mario Hermoso

The Spanish defender has come back from the brink at Atletico and is now a full-time starter for the club. No defender has completed more long passes in LaLiga since after the World Cup than Mario Hermoso. Simeone using Hermoso in different ways has given Atletico the platform to be more attacking, helping the club in achieving success.

Centre-back- Caglar Soyuncu

The Turkish centre-back was a part of last season’s Leicester City team that was relegated from the Premier League last season. Following the relegation, Diego Simeone was very keen on signing the defender from the English side. Soyuncu’s attributes can help Ateltico Madrid solve their defense problems and provide stability in the upcoming season.

Centre-back- Jose Maria Gimenez

Gimenez is the major part of the longest members who have played for the first team of the Atletico Madrid. He has been a part of the club since 2014 and has appeared in most of the games for the club. His quickness over short areas is impressive, most centre-backs would kill for the recovery pace he possesses, his balance is superb, he is aggressive and is never out of control of his own actions.

Right-back- Cezar Azpilicueta

Atletico Madrid signed Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta on a one-year deal as a free agent after Chelsea agreed to let their captain go. Azpilicueta captained Chelsea to Champions League title and their first ever FIFA Club World Cup title. Atletico Madrid are getting one the most successful Chelsea players of all time and he will provide the leadership to the squad as they look to fight back in the league.

Centre-defensive midfield- Axel Witsel

Axel Witsel won the 2007-08 best player in the Belgian top flight, the Colchoneros got a new midfielder in the 2022 season after they signed the Belgian as a free agent from Borussia Dortmund. Simeone’s preference for veteran footballers has always been a part of his tactical strategy. He lacks the goal scoring abilities but understands the game very well and can play as a defensive and an attacking midfielder.

Centre-midfield- Koke

Koke was born in Madrid, he has been a part of Atletico Madrid since his youth days and now captains Atletico Madrid. Koke is right-footed, but his versatility allows him to play on the right, left or the centre of the field. If any of the players in the Atletico squad can be labelled “consistent” in the 2022-23 campaign, he would be the leading candidate. His contract expires at the end of 2024 season and the talks of retaining him have been positive as Atletico Madrid are keen on keeping their captain.

Centre-midfield- Rodrigo de Paul

Rodrigo de Paul was a part of Argentina’s World Cup winning team which was held in Qatar in 2022. His ability to spot a pass in the final third in the Argentina and Atletico squad something that nobody else does. Now it’s time for him to maintain that over a full season and prove his worth in the 2023-24 season. He had a 9 G/A season as he played 30 matches for the Spanish club.

Left-wing- Samuel Lino

Atletico Madrid completed the signing of Brazilian left-winger Samuel Lino from Primeira Liga (Portuguese League) club Gil Vicente on a 5-year deal in 2022 and was sent on loan to Valencia following his signing before the beginning of the 2022-23 season. Lino played all the matches for Valencia in the last season, he has great pace, a brilliant passer and a magnificent dribbler. He will most likely replace Carrasco in the upcoming season because he is young and can be threatful in the attacking third.

Striker- Memphis Depay

The Dutchman signed for Barca in the summer of 2021 after playing previously in the Eredivisie, Premier League and Ligue 1. He played 30 matches for Barcelona before he joined Atletico Madrid in the winter transfer window of 2022-23 season. Depay is the second-highest goal scorer in Netherlands history with 43 goals, behind only Robin van Persie (50 goals). He is likely to take the number one spot before he retires from the national team.

Right-wing- Antoine Griezmann

The Frenchman has spent most of his playing career in Spain with majority of his games for Atletico Madrid and two seasons at Barcelona before Atletico re-signed him from Spanish giants. He is recognized for his versatility on the field, excelling in attack, passing, and contributing to defensive efforts. Throughout his career, he has taken on roles as an attacking midfielder, winger, and striker.

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