The opening of the 2015-16 La Liga campaign kicked-off in familiar fashion as Antoine Griezmann’s amazing first-half free kick provided the difference and gave Diego Simeone’s team a vital three points.
The coach opted for the recognisable 4-4-2 formation, however, surprising was his use of both Gabi and Tiago in the centre of the midfield. Koke, much like last season, had to relocate to the left side of midfield to accommodate for the two experienced players. New recruits Jackson Martínez and Filipe Luís both featured from the start, while fellow arrivals Luciano Vietto and Stefan Savic both had to make do with a place among the bench.
Las Palmas, travelling to the Vicente Calderón in their first season back in the top flight since the 2001-02, decided to play a defensive approach against the 2013-14 champions, with a 5-3-2 formation in what looked to be a way of attempting to neutralise the threat of Griezmann and Martínez. However, in a matter of minutes, the Frenchman scored from a 25-yard free kick. Las Palmas goalkeeper Raúl Lizoain will feel hard done by, the goal aided with a deflection.
Los Amarillos would not let this knock their spirit and much to their credit, committed numbers back in defence and tried moving into attack when they won the ball. Atléti would not be able to threaten again until a late Luís effort that narrowly missed, in what would have been a great debut for the returning left-back.
Koke came close late on with another fantastic free kick that clipped the post, but Simeone will be concerned with his team’s overall performance. Atléti’s failure and inability to kill the game nearly let a courageous Las Palmas side back in. If not for the excellent Jan Oblak pulling off a number of saves late on, particularly Aythami’s close range effort, which would have seen Atléti record a shocking opening draw against the newly promoted outfit.
Koke has to return to the centre
Much talk during the break from both Simeone and the player himself, declared their preference to see the Spanish international in his favoured centre-midfield role. Atléti’s preseason saw Koke feature in the centre alongside Tiago to much success, so it was surprising to see the coach shift him out wide and continue with the Gabi/Tiago partnership that was under par in 2014-15. Towards the end of the match, Koke ventured into the centre and started delivering more attacking play that was poorly missed for the majority of the game.
The main problem Simeone addressed last season was the inability to score goals. His vision and strategy to accommodate this issue was to bring in striking reinforcements, Martínez and Vietto, and relocate Koke into the centre, his natural position. With an opponent Simeone would have assumed to play as defensive as Las Palmas, the decision to place Koke on the left-wing limited Atléti’s attacking play, with most coming through crosses from the left and right-wing. With tougher upcoming fixtures, notably Sevilla and Barcelona up next, Atléti will not be able to play one dimensional and will need their most creative player dictating play from the centre.
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Griezmann still the undisputed star striker
Big money was spent to bring in former FC Porto star Martínez to Madrid. At 28-years of age, Simeone brought in a well experienced striker with European pedigree which followed with much expectations of the Colombian to hit the ground running. In a new club and in a new league, it will take a little time for Martínez to adapt to his new surroundings, especially since joining his teammates later due to the Copa America tournament.
Las Palmas controlled the threat of Martínez well. With Koke and Óliver Torres sending in crosses for the aerial dominant striker, Las Palmas, and especially Pedro Bigas, Aythami and Antolín Alcáraz were equally up to the task of limiting the impact of the Colombian. Instead, it was the Frenchman continuing his goal scoring form towards end of last season and the early preseason that gifted Atléti the vital three points. With fellow first team striker Martínez struggling, Griezmann has stepped up once again to show just why he is the Rojiblancos star striker.
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