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Joao Félix has enjoyed a spectacular start to 2020-21, but without Luis Suárez against Barcelona, he faces an entirely new test as Atleti take on the Catalan giants.
As recently as January Joao Félix’s career at Atlético de Madrid seemed to be on a rocky road to nowhere – the previously vaunted ‘Golden Boy‘, the most expensive signing in the club’s history, seemed to be lost.
Another great game had passed him by in the form of the Super Cup final against Real Madrid, who emerged victorious on penalties after a 0-0 draw, dominated by Los Blancos.
An even greater burden had been placed on him since late 2019, with Diego Costa ruled out long-term due to a neck injury. but Joao Felix just couldn’t live up to expectations.
Their struggles, understandably, led to a great debate about the cause; Was he having a hard time adjusting? Was he really the talent that everyone thought he was? Or, as most people apparently thought, wasn’t he cut out for cholismo?
Media reports at the time suggested that his teammates believed Joao Félix was having trouble establishing himself in Madrid, but once football was resumed after the coronavirus lockdown, encouraging signs began to appear.
And now, as Atlético prepares to host Barcelona and Lionel Messi on Saturday, few would consider anyone other than Joao Félix as a standout player in LaLiga in 2020-21.
Space? You can get lost in space
The arrival of Joao Félix to the Wanda Metropolitano was received by the clamor of the critic from Diego Simeone suggesting that this was the firm that would finally see the renowned pragmatist break free and suddenly become the artist many hoped he could be.
It didn’t work out that way. In fact, their streak of 51 goals in LaLiga was the lowest they had achieved since they scored just 46 in 2006-07; somehow, they became even more boring to watch.
This did not do much to convince the adamant that Simeone was to blame for Joao Félix’s form: many people asked that the young talent be given a “free role” that would allow him to play without the shackles normally associated with the rigidity and discipline of the coach. system.
However, as average tactile location maps show, Joao Félix generally operated largely in a less disciplined role last season than in 2020-21. In 2019-20, he occupied spaces down the middle and on the left flank more than most, however his time in all four zones within that area between the midline and the penalty area was divided quite evenly.
This season, however, 22 percent of his touches of the ball have been in a retired area on the left flank and 19 percent in the next area of the same wing. Your role is demonstrably more structured, but it is proving to be much more effective the less you roam, and this is evident in almost every area.
His five-goal count in LaLiga is surpassed only by Mikel Oyarzabal and, at a rate of 0.9 goals every 90 minutes, their frequency in this regard has tripled. His rate of 0.4 assists per 90 minutes is four times higher than the 0.1 in the last period.
Joao Felix now has an average of 2.2 key passes in each game (compared to 0.8), while his passing records, touches, participation in the open play sequence and participation in the goal-completion sequence have increased tremendously this season. .
Suárez makes great players even better
It is difficult to know if this clear role change has been designed by Simeone or Joao Félix himself without one of them saying so much. Certainly, the Atlético coach has not alluded to such an alteration.
No, Simeone instead has highlighted the impact of the signing of Luis Suárez from the rivals on Sunday, saying earlier this month: “I think all this is generated from the presence of Suárez. With players like [Diego] Coast and [Alvaro] Morata before him, they had many other characteristics, but we have been looking for other qualities.
“Luis has needed more people close to him, close to where he can hurt the opponent, and that is the goal of the team.”
Let’s not forget, Suarez has spent years alongside the best in the business at Lionel Messi, and the pair developed an almost telepathic understanding: As good as the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is, that doesn’t happen just because of him.
Suarez is an attacking killer, and boasts of ball intelligence like few other forwards have in the last 30 years; Even if he is not as fast as before, the Uruguayan knows what races to do and when to do it.
For example, Joao Félix has created four chances for Suarez this season. – That’s already tied with the most key passes he played for a single teammate in 2019-20 (Ángel Correa), and one more than he made for Morata.
But here lies a new test for Joao Felix.
Satruday is Atlético’s first confrontation with either of the ‘two greats’ in LaLiga this season, but they won’t be able to look at Suárez’s shooting skills due to his coronavirus diagnosis.
Therefore, an even greater responsibility will fall on Joao Félix to provide the spark in the attack for Atlético, potentially both as a creator and as a finisher; Fortunately for him, his positive xG differential of 2.4 suggests that he has that ability.
Inspire Atlético to win or not, the fact that such a possibility is considered even less than a year after he seems completely at odds with him club is a great triumph for Joao Félix.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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