Atletico Madrid have enjoyed a bright start to the new Spanish La Liga season, with Diego Simeone’s men having picked up maximum points from their first two games. They recently dispatched of back-to-back Europa League winners Sevilla on the road, and are still yet to concede a goal for their troubles. A summer exodus of stars led to a disappointing season in 2014/15, but Atleti have turned things around so far this campaign, and look like they will go toe-to-toe with rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid for domestic silverware.
“The new signings are integrating into the side and are learning what we’re looking for in the game. We’re very excited to be back in the Calderon, the adrenalin pumps, the expectations begin and we’re looking forward to seeing the stadium full again. There’s a lot of enthusiasm. We want to do everything we can not to lose the essence of the team. There is some beautiful competition, particularly up front, their different strengths give us options,” said Simeone.
Goals were hard to come by last season, with Atleti having scored just twice in their previous four games of 2014/15. They averaged less than two goals scored per game, but things look different now following some new arrivals. The signing of former Porto striker Jackson Martinez (2014/15: 30 games, 21 goals) will give the Spaniards a real goal threat along with the likes of Antonio Griezmann (2014/15: 37 games, 21 goals), and their bright start is evidence of this.
Atletico also brought in young forward Luciano Vietto (2014/15: 32 games, 12 goals), so Simeone has a lot of attacking options for this season. It took a monumental effort to finish ahead of the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2013/14, and this season will be another major challenge after falling short last time out. Atleti can’t compete financially with their title-rivals, but their industrious and robust style of play sees them challenging at the top on a regular basis.
A perfect start from their first two games of the league season sees Atletico building up some momentum to set the pace in the top flight early on. They brought in a number of attackers in the summer to ensure there would be no repeat of last season’s goalless displays in key games, and manager Diego Simeone seems as hungry as ever to replicate the side’s incredible title-winning antics of the past. They couldn’t wish for a better start, so can Atletico Madrid contest for the Spanish La Liga crown come May?
