The Rise of Giuliano Simeone

In this article, we will focus on the rise of Giuliano Simeone, why the "young Simeone" deserves a place in Atlético Madrid's squad, what sets him apart, and how he contributes to the team.

Fans who follow the academy and players who have been on loan know that Giuliano is a striker. He has always played centrally and rarely on the wing. But in recent games, Simeone has found an interesting role for his son. Currently, Giuliano is playing a hybrid role between right winger and wingback. This role is unique in its own way, as it also affects the team's defensive setup. At the moment, because of Giuliano's role, we play a 4-4-2 in attack or sometimes a 4-3-3, and defensively, depending on the stage of the game, the opponent, and the situation, we play in a 5-4-1, with Giuliano covering in front of Molina, who moves more centrally to compensate for the lack of speed in defense, especially if Witsel plays. This has created favorable conditions for Giuliano lately. Initially, Simeone played with an active left wingback in attack, either Samuel Lino or Rodrigo Requelme. But due to their weaker form, along with Javi Galán’s entrance—who, despite being strong offensively, is a natural left-back with more defensive habits—combined with Marcos Llorente's injury, a perfect window opened for Giuliano to start playing on the right, alongside his compatriot Nahuel Molina. In this way, Simeone has effectively activated the right flank, which has been crucial in recent victories, particularly in Paris and, to a lesser extent, in Mallorca.

First and foremost, he provides speed and sharpness in attack. Giuliano brings incredible speed to the right wing, and his goal against Mallorca, with an impressive off-the-ball sprint, is a prime example. For teams that defend tightly like Atlético, speed on the flanks is essential for swift transitions during counter-attacks.

Secondly, I would highlight his work rate and lack of selfishness. Giuliano is eager to prove that he is in the team not because of his father, but due to his own talent. At first glance, Giuliano runs more than anyone else on the pitch. Diego Simeone has found a good role for him on the wing, allowing him to thrive both in attack and defense. This relentless movement is admirable for the young Simeone. His lack of selfishness is also notable; he consistently puts the team before himself, opting for assists over personal glory. Of course, this should be balanced, as there are moments in football where selfishness is beneficial.

Despite his good performance, it’s unlikely at this stage. Marcos Llorente was the key player on the right before his injury. He made the right flank both dangerous in attack and solid in defense. Llorente matches Giuliano in strength, endurance, and speed. His presence on the right allows for greater flexibility, which benefits an attack-minded left flank. Llorente is fundamentally important for the team. This, however, doesn’t detract from Giuliano's impact. He has shown his worth as a substitute, proving he can be useful late in games. When more attacking power is needed, Giuliano will be a valuable and varied option off the bench.