2015-16 Season Preview: Atletico Madrid

Coach: Diego Simeone

Key Signings: Jackson Martinez, Filipe Luis

Key Sales: Arda Turan, Mario Mandzukic

Last Season: 3rd

This Season [predicted finish]: 3rd

Predicted finish is the average prediction of the Football Espana team.

Topping the title-winning exploits of 2014 was always going to be difficult for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid. After a dream La Liga triumph on the final day, they were brought firmly back to earth in a season of immense change and restructuring.

Atletico were well off the pace in terms of points and outgunned by Barcelona and Real Madrid’s trio of mercurial forwards. If Cholo is to compete with the big boys this season, he’s going to need the necessary firepower.

That’s an issue addressed with the signing of Jackson Martinez from Porto. The powerful Colombian, long on the radar of other European giants, made the switch to Madrid for €35m. Joining him is Luciano Vietto. The 20-year-old Argentine is a much more familiar face due to his exploits with Villarreal, where he scored 20 goals in his debut season. Simeone in particular is well aware of his talents, having given the forward his debut while both were at Racing Club and will hoping to get the best out of him.

Regardless of their incoming transfers, hopes for the campaign will rest on the shoulders of the Antoine Griezmann. In the absence of Costa, the France international stepped up, Making the move from the left wing to a striker position, he finished as Atletico’s top scorer. He, Martinez and Vietto scored a combined 77 goals last season, and if they can reach a similar figure, they too may be bestowed a tag akin to the ‘BBC’ on the other side of the capital.

But amongst the transfer activity, a number of key players have left the Vicente Calderon, causing a hint of consternation among fans, most notably the exit of Arda Turan, who joined Barcelona in a €41m deal. The Turkish midfielder’s departure was only the tip of the iceberg, however, as this transfer window has seen them sell over €100m worth of talent. Both Raul Jimenez and Mario Mandzukic were gone as quickly as they arrived, moving to Benfica and Juventus respectively, while Joao Miranda, Toby Alderweireld, Mario Suarez and Emiliano Insua will all ply their trade elsewhere in 2015-16.

Atletico and Simeone seldom do bad business in the transfer market, and on paper their latest acquisitions sseem shrewd ones, but some of their current players could make a huge difference, especially many of the younger ones, Angel Correa, Oliver Torres and Saul Niguez in particular.

How they fare against those around them is particularly important. While Simeone always had the beating of Real under Carlo Ancelotti, he will face a different foe and test against Rafa Benitez. Valencia and Sevilla only finished a few points behind Atletico and are likely to make a more robust challenge for a top-four spot this season. Los Colchoneros can’t afford to wait for his new signings to settle, lest they get left behind, and not only by Barcelona and Real Madrid. But if Atleti hit the ground running, the sky’s the limit.

La Liga - Club News