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Atleti saw off Real 4-2 after extra time in Tallinn.
Beware of Atleti

Beware of Atleti

With too many variables at play for Real and Barça, Madrid's stable second team are much fancied this coming season

Rob Palmer

Monday, 27 August 2018, 16:10

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After an incredibly close battle with Barcelona last season Diego Simeone reasoned, "Give me Messi and we'll win La Liga."

A few months on, his team are much fancied by many experts to take the title in 2019. Ok, he hasn't acquired Lionel Messi but he has retained Antoine Griezmann and prevented Barcelona from signing one of the most coveted players in world football.

Atlético's threat isn't so silent after they rolled over Real Madrid in the European Super Cup on Wednesday and they did of course finish second in the Spanish championship last season.

When it comes to stability and consistency they are the envy of the Big Two. They have a coach who has been in place for seven and a half years. That's the envy of the whole of Europe.

He's built the team and maintains it immaculately and continues to rebuild it, brick by brick.

He's not only kept Griezmann but also Jan Oblak who is one of the world's best goalkeepers and Diego Godín who, in my opinion, is the best defender in the football.

So Atlético have the most solid spine in Spain; goalkeeper, centre half and centre forward.

Every ounce was squeezed out of Gabi in midfield and now Rodri will ease into his role after signing from Villarreal. He's also the heir apparent to Sergi Busquets in the national team and could spend many years playing for club and country alongside Koke and Saúl. This is Spain's future midfield.

It took until January last season to uncage Diego Costa and his effect was immediate. Already in the Super Cup he's shown that he's going to be an unpleasant man to face. It's a similar situation for Vitolo who was also made to wait because of the transfer embargo. We'll see his full force also this season.

There's also a new element with the signings of Thomas Lemar and Gelson Martins. I commentated on Lemar for France last season and was mightily impressed. Liverpool courted him and Jürgen Klopp has yet to make a bad outfield signing (goalkeeper Loris Karius is the exception).

Gelson Martins is a player who can bring another dimension and gives Simeone options. The only signing I'd question is Nikola Kalinic as back-up striker. He's the moody Croatian who refused to go on as a substitute and walked away from the World Cup finals. I'm assuming he won't be fronting up to Simeone who maybe needs to make it clear that Kalinic is filling Fernando Torres' boots.

I'm not dismissing the reigning champions Barcelona or the European champions Real Madrid. With Barcelona there are so many variables. Arthur wore Iniesta's shirt with distinction in the Spanish Super Cup Final and Ousmane Dembélé finally displayed a moment worthy of a 105-million-euro talent with a spectacular match winner. Philippe Coutinho had an immediate impact when arriving in the winter and they'll need the same from Malcolm and Arthur. There's also a lot of excitement about youngster Riqui Puig.

Real Madrid are about to find out just how much they relied on Cristiano Ronaldo and just how great a coach Zinedine Zidane was. The team needs a greater collective, Bale has to step forward, Asensio must fulfil his promise and Julen Lopetegui needs to impose himself immediately.

Let the fun begin.

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