Is There a Way Back into the Starting Line-Up for Samuel Lino?

Samuel Lino made a fantastic impact as a substitute in the match against Sevilla. He played a crucial role in inspiring the team to overturn a 1-3 deficit to a historic 4-3 victory. Lino was instrumental, scoring an incredible goal from over 25 meters and assisting Antoine Griezmann in the 90+4 minute for the final 4-3 scoreline.

Let’s be honest: Lino's performances in recent months have been truly disappointing. The quick-footed Brazilian struggled to find his form, and rightfully lost his position on the left wing. Simeone even adjusted the team’s overall approach, shifting from an offensive left wingback system with Lino to a 4-3-3 setup featuring the attacking trio of Griezmann - Alvarez - Giuliano. Key substitutes were Sorloth and Correa, and Lino was not among the first options for turning games around. However, this might change.

Simeone has shown he values contribution and form over names. Earlier this season, Giuliano and Javi Galan were out of favor but managed to make significant impacts when given minutes, gradually cementing their spots in the starting XI. One of the players who lost his position was Lino. Following his recent performance, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him feature prominently, even starting as early as the next match against Slovan.

Where could he fit in? In the current 4-3-3 setup, Lino’s most obvious position is on the left wing. Unfortunately, this spot often goes to Alvarez, especially when Sorloth is on the field. When Alvarez - Griezmann - Giuliano play together, the team operates without a traditional left winger, leaving the flank open for Galan. With Llorente being extremely offensive on the right, it’s unlikely Lino will be used as a left-back. This leaves two options: in a 4-4-2 system, Lino could pair with Galan on the left, similar to the Llorente-Giuliano duo on the right; or, in a 4-3-3, Lino could play as a traditional left winger regardless of the other forwards.

Both Simeone and Lino have shown that the Brazilian isn’t written off, and it’s only a matter of time before he regains his form from last season. For now, Lino may serve as the first option off the bench but could also start against less demanding opponents. In such scenarios, he could replace Gallagher directly to create a deadly left flank, complementing the strong right side. This would place greater responsibility on the two midfielders and require Griezmann to drop deeper. However, Simeone has proven his tactical flexibility numerous times, so Lino’s days at Atletico are far from over, and he is likely to see more opportunities soon.