4-3-3 - Diego Simeone's New Weapon

Years ago, it was hard to believe Diego Simeone would ever use a formation other than the classic 4-4-2. However, as the trend in recent seasons continues, he is open to adapting based on the qualities of the players at his disposal. Of course, this is not a permanent setup; against strong teams, we most often play 4-4-2 in a low block or transitioning 3-5-2 to 5-3-2 (5-4-1). Yet currently, Simeone seems to have found a "cure" for easier wins against less demanding opponents. Over the years, Atlético has struggled when the initiative was entirely on our side and we failed to win matches, as seen in this year’s game against Espanyol.

Yesterday against Sparta Praha, we saw an interesting approach. First, Griezmann was on the bench. Second, in a setup with a back four, we started with our most dynamic full-backs Galán and Llorente, even though Llorente is far from being a classic full-back. The second surprise, albeit not entirely unexpected, was captain Koke on the bench, with his duties taken over by Pablo Barrios, who is by no means a classic defensive midfielder. Instead, we played with midfielders who had both defensive and attacking responsibilities in nearly equal measure. Barrios, Gallagher, and De Paul fit the profile of box-to-box midfielders. The main change was attacking with three forwards, each with a different role. Giuliano aimed to make direct runs and overlap with Llorente on the right, targeting Sparta's left wing-back and left-sided center-back. Sorloth, naturally, acted as the classic target man, while Álvarez played with the most freedom, functioning as a left inside-forward cutting into the center. The left flank, as usual, was often left entirely to Javi Galán, who excelled in both phases of the game, possessing the speed and endurance for such a role.

As evident from the previous paragraph, the team's attacking power is greatly enhanced and diversified. Moreover, when positioned higher up the pitch, with more players in advanced positions, the team can recover the ball quicker and higher up the field, leading to more frequent attacks. In this style of play, it is crucial to prevent quick counterattacks from the opponent, intercepting them early. However, we know this isn't possible every time, so the three central midfielders must provide good coverage, and the defenders need speed. Witsel, for example, struggles more if the opponent launches quick, effective counters. Yet, this formation can make our team much more dominant in matches against weaker opponents, allowing us to win with greater ease than ever before.

Learn more about Pablo Barrios's game in this analysis.

Absolutely. Griezmann, in particular, can be valuable in two positions: as the third, most offensive midfielder, or as the forward with a freer role, seeking spaces between the lines in the opponent's half. As for captain Koke, it’s clear that he would provide additional security in ball recovery and efficient distribution during attacks.

Yes. From what we’ve observed this season, the formation is excellent for matches against weaker opponents, ensuring easier victories. Against stronger and more offensively oriented teams, it’s currently not viable. For better success with this formation, the team needs more speed in central defense and midfield, especially a quick, classic defensive midfielder who can cover a large area. However, at this stage of the team’s development, this is an ideal weapon against weaker opponents, especially allowing freedom to Álvarez, who is highly unpredictable and dangerous from various positions.

Learn more about the predictions and analysis for Atlético Madrid’s final seven matches of the year in this analysis.