Galán: Atlético's Secret Weapon in Dribbling
In an Atlético de Madrid that shines with its offensive power and consolidates itself in the top positions of the standings, the surprise jumps out in the dribbling statistics.
Despite having stellar figures such as Julián Alvarez, Griezmann, and Giuliano Simeone, it is Javi Galán who leads the table of successful dribbles in the team. The player from Extremadura, who at the beginning of the season did not count for Simeone, has become an important piece in the scheme of the Argentine coach.
His irruption in the derby against Real Madrid, with an assist included, marked a turning point in his role within the team. Galán has a total of 65 completed dribbles out of 99 attempts, surpassing Lino and Julián.
While it is true that his defensive facet has generated some doubts, his contribution in attack is undeniable. He is the fourth player on the team with the most good crosses into the area, surpassed only by Llorente, Griezmann, and De Paul, despite having played fewer minutes than them.
In addition, he leads the team in offensive duels won, ahead of De Paul, Julián, and Gallagher. Simeone values the versatility that Galán and Reinildo provide him on the left side, two players with opposing characteristics that allow him to adapt his tactical approach according to the rival and the needs of the match. With Galán, Atlético gains overflow, skill and an offensive plus that makes him a secret weapon to unbalance matches.
