Diego Simeone is undoubtedly facing a difficult season with his rojiblancos. In the summer, Atletico Madrid’s squad suffered a major change, which is why Madrid’s rojiblancos will be hard to predict in the upcoming competitive season. In preparation, the team of “El Cholo” Simeone excelled. A successful season opener therefore seems to be realistic.
Getafe, last season’s surprise team, will be welcomed to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. The guests have had no serious departures in the summer and start with a well-rehearsed squad in the new season. With the form low for the season final spurt, the team of Pepe Bordalas had gambled the right to start for the premier class.
After the strong season performance such a scenario was hardly conceivable at the end of the season. Getafe will start this season, at least in the group stage of the Europa League. Whether the latest performance of the season remains a fluke or Getafe can continue in the new season remains uncertain.
In Madrid, the team of Bordalas expected a very difficult task. For the last eight years, Getafe has not scored a goal against Atletico Madrid. In the curse against the Rojiblancos from Madrid, Atletico Madrid against Getafe’s prediction seems to be not the best choice for the guests. A tip on the home side, however, after the strong preparation is promising.
Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid was “only” runner-up in the Spanish LaLiga last season. The season ending as runner-up was praiseworthy only because of the better placement against the city rivals Real Madrid. In the season final spurt, the “Rojiblancos” from Madrid made three point losses in a row, which did not endanger the second place behind Barcelona.
In the new season, “El Cholo” Simeone does not expect an easy task. Tough departures in the summer caused a major change in the reigning runner-up. In addition to Antoine Griezmann, the team’s big offensive star, other top performers left the team in the current transfer window. Especially the restructuring in their own defense causes many question marks in the “Rojiblancos”.
Players like Lucas Hernandez, Rodri or Diego Godin will be hard to replace in the team. Of course, Atletico Madrid could also upgrade powerfully and has compensated for those departures well, at least on the slip. How the new additions under the game system of “El Cholo” will find, is not yet in sight. In preparation, the newcomers left a positive impression.
Joao Felix should also close the offensive gap of Griezmann. The huge transfer fee paid for Benfica’s offensive gem seems well invested. Felix showed great performances in preparation and was convincing with his versatility on offense.
The “new” Rojiblancos will be in demand in the first competitive game of the new season against Getafe. At Estadio Wanda Metropolitano last season, they had a superb home record of 15-3-1 with a goal difference of 32:10. In front of a home crowd, only the Madrid derby was lost to the “Royal”.
Diego Costa, Angel Correa, Vrsaljko and Garces will miss the season opener against Getafe. Further failures plague Simeone on Matchday 1 of the new LaLiga season not.
Getafe:
Without a doubt, Getafe was one of the great surprises of the past LaLiga season. Coach José Bordalás was able to lay the foundation for the success of his team with his tactical gift. Getafe played consistently and secured points over points, which were mainly due to the strong defensive work. Behind teams like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Getafe set the third strongest defense of the Spanish LaLiga.
In the new season Bordalas benefits above all from the stable team structure. Not a single top performer last season had to be handed in the summer. With selective reinforcements Bordalas has formed a promising squad. In terms of temperament, Getafe have a decisive trump card against Atletico Madrid.
To what extent Getafe can build on the strong season, remains uncertain for the time being. In the weak season final Getafe had gambled the direct starting place for the premier class, which is why the season is approached on the international stage in the Europa League. Convincing performances were sought in vain on the last matchdays of the past season.
If the negative trend continues in the new competitive season, it could be tight for the away game in Madrid. In addition to FC Barcelona’s Cucurella, Gallego (Huesca), Fajr (Caen), Harper (Bilbao), Nyom (West Bromwich) and Garcia (Girona) have joined. Bordalas with Ndiaye and Maksimovic will be out of action on matchday two.
Above all, the loss of Maksimovic will be felt by the guests. The 24-year-old had completed every LaLiga game last season and was pivotal in the midfield of Getafe. Throughout the summer preparations, Getafe has lost only one friendly match against FC Porto. If the Bordalas team can take the momentum from preparation and score points on matchday one, Atletico Madrid will be paid lucrative odds against Getafe.
