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3 reasons why Atletico Madrid will beat Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup

By Benjamin Barkworth

MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 11: Real Madrid line up prior to start the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy between Real Madrid CF and AC Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 11, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 11: Real Madrid line up prior to start the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy between Real Madrid CF and AC Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 11, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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Atletico Madrid’s French midfielder Thomas Lemar reacts during the International Champions Cup football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Inter Milan at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on August 11, 2018. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid’s French midfielder Thomas Lemar reacts during the International Champions Cup football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Inter Milan at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on August 11, 2018. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) /

3. Atletico’s signings

It’s fair to say that Atletico have had one of the best transfer windows of any team in Europe, maybe even the best due to the ares they have targeted and how they have turned themselves into genuine contenders for any competition they enter. Thomas Lemar, Gelson Martins, Rodri, Santiago Arias, Nikola Kalinic, Antonio Adan have all joined, and Jonny Castro was signed but he joined Wolves on loan.

There have also been major outgoings because Gabi has joined Al Sadd, Sime Vrsaljko went to Internazionale and Kevin Gameiro signed for Valencia. These have all been replaced by the players brought in and they have strengthened key areas. Martins and Lemar have addressed issues they had in attacking wide areas, which should help against stubborn, compact defensive shapes.

Martins is the ideal player to use in this match because of the space that Marcelo will leave behind him. The Brazilian full-back will often prioritise his attacking creativity over defensive responsibilities which can lead him to being caught out of position and he is often slow to track back.

Atletico can transition quickly with Antoine Griezmann being a key focal point through how he can draw players in and quickly switch the play. Therefore, the pace and dribbling ability of Martins will provide a major attacking threat and he can destabilise the makeshift opposition defensive shape due to the space he can drive in to. Griezmann and Diego Costa are experts at making intelligent runs to draw defenders away and create space.

Next. Will Real Madrid lineup this way in the UEFA Super Cup?. dark

Martins and Thomas Lemar will also be important in helping break down Real’s defensive shape in the periods when Atleti control possession in the opposition half. They can provide aerial opportunities through crosses, with Griezmann and Costa both being major threats in this area. Both of them will also stretch the opposition horizontally which leaves space for distance shooters such as Saul Niguez.

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