Llorente: The Utility Player Returns to Midfield
Atlético de Madrid achieved an important victory against Valencia, leaving several positive notes for the fans. Beyond the result, the match stood out for the performance of players like Griezmann, Correa’s goal, and the defensive solidity.
However, Marcos Llorente’s performance was particularly significant. Due to the absences of Barrios and Koke, Llorente had to occupy the position of central midfielder, an unusual role in his time at Atlético. Paradoxically, it was the position in which he shone before joining the club.
Simeone recognized his potential and converted him into a versatile player, capable of performing as a forward, winger, or full-back. After the match, Simeone highlighted Llorente’s ability to adapt to that position, emphasizing his knowledge of the game and his commitment.
In the match, Llorente acted as De Paul’s shield, who led the team’s offense. Llorente, with a more positional role, demonstrated great passing accuracy, with a 97.8% success rate, which reached 100% in the final third of the field.
In addition, he was the Atlético player with the most tackles won. His performance shows that Simeone has in Llorente a reliable solution for the midfield, especially in the absence of Koke, or to give rest to other key players in the center of the field.
