Simeone scolds Gabi for comments on Koke and Atletico’s tactics

Diego Simeone reportedly spoke to his captain for 20 minutes at training yesterday for his remarks on Koke, Atletico’s vulnerability and Simeone’s tactics.

Atletico Madrid have evolved this year. After two draws with newly-promoted sides to start the season, Simeone changed his defensively-inclined midfielder into on that had Koke as the anchor. That was a big change from the days of Tiago and Gabi protecting the back four.

Gabi said recently that he thinks Atletico need to go back to the old ways despite the fact that this caused a stalemate for teams who came to get a draw against Los Rojiblancos.

“He’s doing it well but perhaps when it comes to defending we’re more fragile. We need to go back to being a strong team at the back with everyone working together,” Gabi said at an award ceremony on Wednesday.

Simeone might return to the more slid and defensive system against Real Madrid but injuries to Augusto Fernandez and Tiago fighting the good fight against Father Time means he is limited in his options if he does.

There will be a lot of attention on the Vicente Calderon on Saturday given the magnitude of the game but even more so given Gabi’s comments and whether or not Atletico will revert to type against the old foe.