How Diego Simeone turned things around for Atletico Madrid?

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Atletico Madrid's season has taken an upward turn in the last few weeks or so. They will be up against rivals Real Madrid in La Liga this Saturday (February 25).

And ahead of the pivotal tie, Diego Simeone's men find themselves 10 points behind La Real, sitting 4th in the Spanish league table. Although it still has been an underwhelming season, Atletico have strung a series of positive performances in the last month or so.

Since their home loss against Barcelona on January 9, Atleti are unbeaten in six La Liga matches, winning four of them.

It really had been a difficult start to the season for Simeone and his squad, and they spent the World Cup outside of the Champions League positions in the LaLiga Santander table. Before the Qatar tournament, they'd been collecting 1.7 points per game, but they've taken 2.1 points per game since then.

The main factor behind the improvement has been the switch to a back four and the way this has strengthened the defence. Jan Oblak has made some key saves in recent weeks, but two defenders, in particular, deserve the most praise and they are Reinildo and Mario Hermoso.
Mozambique international Reinildo has been one of the most astute signings in recent years and is already a fan favourite at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano for the way he puts in so much effort and the way he can make every tackle, block and clearance look so easy.

Hermoso, on the other hand, has had his ups and downs at the capital city club. While he was a key member of the LaLiga Santander-winning team in 2020/21, the Spanish centre-back then lost his place in the starting line-up. After initially struggling to win it back, not helped by some untimely red cards or conceded penalties, Hermoso has been a fixture in the side since the World Cup, with Simeone playing him in every minute possible. And, the defender has repaid his coach's trust.

At the other end, Antoine Griezmann, Álvaro Morata and Ángel Correa have each scored twice in the league after the World Cup break, while January signing Memphis Depay scored his first goal for the club in the win over Celta de Vigo. The new-look attack is starting to click and this, combined with the defensive improvement, is helping the team to win to nil again, like the Atleti of old. Ahead of the Madrid derby, Simeone and his troops breathing a bit easier.

(with inputs from Agency)