How Atletico Madrid have witnessed sudden surge in performance?

Los Rojiblancos are on equal points with first-place Barcelona in the league table.

Atletico Madrid have won 11 straight games across all competitions going into Saturday’s crucial match at Montjuic.

Even though Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Real Betis on October 27 was their initial LaLiga setback of the year, Diego Simeone’s team seemed to be losing steam. Los Rojiblancos fell to fourth in the Spanish rankings, an unsightly ten points behind leaders Barcelona, after a spectacular summer spending binge.

However, despite playing one fewer game, Atleti now only trail the Blaugrana on goal differential after a little under two months. If they win against their Catalan rivals at Montjuic on Saturday, they will lead the table going into the Christmas break.

Today 💫 pic.twitter.com/r8SxrJMy7W

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 21, 2024

How in the world have Atletico accomplished this? How has Simeone transformed what appeared to be the end of his period into a fantastic chance to win the third league title in his 13-year career?

Barcelona’s recent slump + Atletico Madrid’s rise in performance

Clearly, Barca’s sharp decline in performance have helped Atleti, a lot! With victories in 11 of their first 12 league games, the Blaugrana jumped out to a nine-point lead over Real Madrid, whom they had thrashed 4-0 in the season’s opening El Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu on October 26.

But since then, Hansi Flick’s team have only managed one win and have dropped points in three of their last six games, letting Atleti draw even and Real to within a point of each other. Two of the three defeats have been at home against Las Palmas and Leganes, who are ranked 14th and 15th in the table, respectively. It’s not like Barca have been defeated by elite clubs either.

Julian Alvarez & Antonine Griezmann stepping up

Throughout the first couple months of the season, the Argentina international was questioned. Alvarez only scored in three of Atleti’s first nine LaLiga games, and they drew four of those games. But in recent months, the former Manchester City forward has begun to settle in, and his recent surge in play has coincided with Atleti’s run of 11 straight wins across all competitions. Alvarez has scored eight of his twelve goals this season after Atleti’s most recent defeat at the hands of Betis.

POV: Atleti is back pic.twitter.com/BV54C0KD9J

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 21, 2024

Having Antoine Griezmann at his side has also greatly benefited Alvarez. Despite being 33 years old, the Frenchman is still an all-around talent and an outstanding football player who helps and elevates everyone around him.

Griezmann is now having one of the most productive stretches of his recent career, scoring seven goals in his previous six games. So it’s obvious that he’s benefiting from the tough decision to withdraw from international football.

The Most balanced team in LaLiga

Jose Gimenez deserves a great deal of credit for his efforts, even though Atleti are unquestionably benefiting greatly from the protection they are now receiving in midfield from Rodrigo De Paul and Barrios.

This season has seen a number of periphery players rise up to the plate. Even Barcelona loanee Clement Lenglet has performed far better than anyone anticipated.

While Giuliano Simeone has frequently made a significant contribution off the bench, regardless of the fact that his father coaches the team, Alexander Sorloth and Angel Correa have eased the pressure on Alvarez and Griezmann by contributing significant goals.

In other news, Marcos Llorente continues to appear content despite being required to perform a variety of duties, and former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher has rotated in and out of the starting lineup but has never been criticized for his work ethic.

Simeone’s side are riding high on form. If they continue this until the end of the season then they will certainly end this term with a title and maybe with other silverware.

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