Griezmann ban: Diego Simeone's three back-up options
Antoine Griezmann was sent off in Atleti's opening day draw against Girona for calling the ref a 'fucking bottler'. Correa, Carrasco, or Vietto could step in.
Atlético Madrid recovered from a two-goal deficit to salvage a draw against newly-promoted Girona on the opening weekend of the LaLiga season. Diego Simeone’s introduction of Ángel Correa for Juanfran changed the complexion of the match, with Los Colchoneros switching to a 3-5-2 formation.
Griezmann sent off for abusive language
Yet the main talking point of the match was Antoine Griezmann’s red card. The French striker, who remained at Atlético this summer despite fluttering his eyelashes in the direction of Manchester United, was shown a first yellow for diving in the box. Then, almost immediately, referee Martínez Munuera pulled out the red. Griezmann’s crime was calling the official a ‘fucking bottler’.
Atlético’s ‘number 7’ will receive a two-match ban, ruling him out of the LaLiga matches against Las Palmas (a) and Valencia (a). ‘El Cholo’ Simeone has three options to replace his most potent attacking force.
Ángel Correa
The stocky Argentine forward did not manage to make the jump last season from an impact substitute to a regular starter. Correa came off the bench to score three goals last season, against Celta, Barça, and Athletic. The last of which was the final time the net rippled at the Estadio Vicente Calderón. Yet in games he started, Correa only found the net once, against Granada. It was a similar story in terms of assists; the former-San Lorenzo man provided three as a starting player, and six as a substitute.
He has played on the wing, and in a more central position. Operating in the ‘second-striker’ position that Griezmann generally occupies would allow him to pick up the ball in pockets of space and run at goal. He could be very effective.
Yannick Carrasco
The Belgian international was Atlético’s stand-out player during pre-season. Although primarily a left-winger, Simeone has dabbled with Carrasco in a central role. He impressed through the middle at Camp Nou two seasons ago. A nine-man Atlético lost to Barcelona, but Carrasco was a bright spark.
If Simeone were to move Carrasco inside, he would have to find a replacement on the wing. Nico Gaitán, who played well against Girona, would be the obvious candidate.
Luciano Vietto
The most far-fetched candidate, not least because Vietto is available for transfer, and could leave the club before the end of August. The Argentine has not replicated the form he showed for Villarreal in the 2014-15 season, which earnt him a €20m move to the Spanish capital. That said, he gave Atlético something extra when he came on against Girona, and Simeone may see Griezmann’s ban as an opportunity to place Vietto in the shop window.
