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Seven Thoughts From The Match At Rotterdam

1: Atleti Still Looks Efficient With Their Possession

When Atleti played with just 10 men, Los Rojiblancos looked OK. Despite a mere 39% of possession, Los Rojiblancos were still able to notch more shots-on-goal than the home side. Alongside Atleti’s eight shots-on-goal to Feyenoord’s five, Atleti forced more saves from the keeper and almost sent the game to ET/penalties before Naoufal Bannis gave Rotterdam the win. Atletico operates best with their backs against the wall, and they showed that with an impressive showing in Rotterdam.

2: Action in the 35’ Still Worries Me

I still break out into a cold sweat when I remember Yannick Carrasco’s red card. In the 35’, fullback Tyrell Malacia fouled Yannick Carrasco while they were racing for the ball. The Belgian angrily kicked out at him, before mocking him. If that wasn’t enough, Carrasco got involved in a violent confrontation with Orkun Kokcu that left the player with blood on his neck(it’s unknown whether Kokcu’s blood was a result of his brawl with Carrasco). It took Carrasco a strict talking-to from the gaffer to cool down, but it was too late. Atleti would be doomed to playing with 10 men.

Now, we’re in the news, and for all the wrong reasons. Yannick Carrasco making a buffoon of himself and Diego Simeone having to scold him like the Belgian internationally capped player was a toddler. Hopefully, this won’t happen in LaLiga, Copa del Rey, or the Champions League.

3: Los Colchoneros Didn’t Do Half-Bad With 10 Men

How often has a club scored on another with one man down? Not many times? While they might pressure their opposition a lot, they rarely breakthrough. However, not only were Atleti productive with their possession, but they also scored! Sergio Camello almost put one in the net, but his shot was blocked by Justin Bijlow. However, Copa America champion Angel Correa put one past Bijlow to equalize for Los Colchoneros

4: Giuliano Simeone Will Probably Leave On Loan

Don’t get me wrong, Simeone isn’t bad. I just don’t think that the Argentine teenager is fit for Atleti’s first-team action. Simeone shouldn’t be shackled to the reserves either. It’s only a matter of time before he either soaks up valuable European experience or starts learning in the Segunda Division.

5: Jan Oblak Is The Best Goalie Right Now, And One Of The Best Ever

In another life, Jan Oblak is a gymnast. He pirouettes between the posts, smacking away strike after strike. He skillfully jumps to the farthest corners of the net. The Slovene has emerged as the first-choice goalie for his national team and is rated the most expensive goalie in the world right now. He showed why in the game against Feyenoord. Oblak was forced to make mind-bending saves. It shows that if Atleti is ever surprised by a counter-attack, Oblak can save the shot more often than not.

6: Does It Show That Atleti Are Reliant On A No.9?(From The_football_fan)

In an article summarizing the game at Rotterdam, commenter The_football_fan made a superb observation. He said that "Suarez is definitely vital" and also said the same for "the potential signing of Rafa Mir". The_football_fan is right. Luis Suarez led the team by a wide margin in goals with a whopping 21. That’s fourth in the league. The next highest tally of goals from a player in red and white came from midfielder Marcos Llorente. If Luis Suarez doesn’t arrive in time for their Celta Vigo clash, Atleti could be between a rock in a hard place.

Big thank you to The_football_fan for letting me use this comment!

7: This Is Our LaLiga Chance, And We Can’t Blow It

We have a worrying trend going into the season opener. Felipe(ligament injury), Joao Felix(ankle fracture), and Marcos Paulo(muscle injury(although he might not be an integral part of El Cholo’s plan)) are all injured. Mario Hermoso was hospitalized with acute pain. Our backline looks quite shaky: we haven’t kept a clean sheet since May 8. An integral part of our wing, Kieran Trippier looks set to leave.

Well, I say we need to spend as much as we need to get our squad battle-ready. We should pursue Lautaro Martinez, Gonzalo Montiel, among others. We need to seal the Rafa Mir deal and maintain a competitive spirit. We saw what can happen when you rest on your laurels at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are at the weakest they’ll be in years. We can’t let this great chance slip through our hands.

8: Diego Simeone Wasn’t Wearing All Black

Although trivial, this is one of the first times I can remember Diego Simeone not wearing an all-black suit. Good on him for shaking up the wardrobe!