ATLÉTICO MADRID
Atlético swap blistering Madrid for balmy Italian Alps
Oblak trained on his own while Lemar was introduced to Simeone's tactics as they worked on a 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 system ahead of the Super Cup in Tallinn in just over a week.
Atlético Madrid have held their first season in Riscone de Brunico, the town in South Tyrol where the team are located for the second phase of their preseason. The team have escaped the blistering 38 degrees in Madrid to a balmy 22 degrees in Italy, which is refreshing after their spell in a very humid Singapore. In fact, they were greeted with a storm upon arrival at their training on Friday. During their first session of the day, they worked for just over an hour with physical work followed by longer tactical instructions.
Oblak trained on his own. The Slovenian worked out on Friday afternoon and will continue to do so in the coming days. Meanwhile, Simeone continue dpolishing his new system. He started with a 4-3-3 with Juanfran, Tachi, Montero, Olabe, Saúl, Rodri and Lemar as the back four and midfield three. Stationed beside Lemar, who knows how difficult Simeone's sessions are, Gameiro has been tasked with passing on Cholo's instructions to the French newcomer. Both Lemar and Gelson have shown off the defensive rigour needed to make it under Cholo.
Also, Simeone worked on collective pressue and how he wants his side to win the ball back. He also included pressure on the ball from throw-ins in the session. They moved on to a 4-4-2 and they worked on aspects of pressure following a poor pass from the opposition. And finally, they worked on the attack. Simeone is aware of Lemar's work between the lines. He wants to make use of his best weapons: directness and his final pass. The addition of these players along with Correa and Gelson on the other side makes it a very interesting preseason for Atlético. On Saturday, at 19:30, they will do their second training session in the Alps.
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