In today’s article, we will focus on how the manager of Atlético Madrid, Diego Simeone, also know as known as El Cholo, has managed to build one of the best defensive teams in La Liga this season, helping Atlético Madrid to be at the 4th position of the table having the best defensive record with just 4 goals against in 8 games.
While much has been written about their defensive tactics, we will avoid covering that territory again. Instead, we will analyze three key attacking strategies that Atlético Madrid employs to reduce risk, push opponents back, and prevent the ball from staying in their defensive territory for too long. These strategies were particularly evident during their recent match against Celta Vigo on 26th of September 2024.
Over the years, Atlético Madrid and Diego Simeone have build one of the toughest defensive systems in both La Liga and Europe. Their success includes winning domestic championships and achieving good results in European competitions, making his team’s fans so proud, thanks largely to their ability to concede very few goals.
During their 2020–2021 La Liga title-winning season, Atlético conceded only 25 goals in 38 games, a 0.66 goals per game, a remarkable defensive achievement. With Jan Oblak in the goal and a strong backline, Atlético managed to build a strong, tough, solid defensive lline. They have managed to beat Thibaut Courtois’s Real Madrid and Barcelona, Lionel Messi’s former team, to secure their title. They repeated the same success back in the 2013-2014 season beating Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.
Diego Simeone has many similarities with Jurgen Klopp and his high intensity teams he builds. His Borussia Dortmund during 2010 – 2012 have managed to impress the world. Like Jose Mourinho and his 2009 – 2010 Inter Milan, their distinguish trademark was the high intensity game and the fast lighting counter attacks.
Let’s move on to discuss this year’s three pillars of Atlético’s attacking game.
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Tactical Analysis and Sessions from Atlético Madrid’s 4-4-2
- How the Centre Backs Defend the Forwards’ Movements
- Rear Block’s Positioning and Movements to Control Wide Areas
- Pressing High Up the Pitch (from the Goalkeeper)
- Positioning of the Forwards to Prepare for Counter Attacks
- Counter-Pressing After Losing Possession During Combination Play
Table of Contents
Atlético’s Deep Build Up
Atlético’s low goals-conceded record isn’t just the result of strong defensive players or a well-structured defense. To limit opponents’ opportunities to score, the team employs various attacking strategies designed to reduce risk, push the ball away from their own goal and control the game.
This season Atlético Madrid has the 6th record for passes to final third, with 51.56 per game and the 3rd best record on passes completed to the final third with 78.3%.
Build-Up Play with Deep Fullbacks
One of Atlético’s primary attacking strategies is their build-up play through deep fullbacks. Their strategy is opposite to the one that Pep Guardiola uses in Man City. When we refer to “build-up” here, we’re talking about the first phase of the game when the ball is in their own half, either through a static buildup or after a pass back to the goalkeeper or to a center back deep in their own fist third.
Both fullbacks maintain deep and wide positions, offering clear support to the center-backs. Unlike teams that use fullbacks to attract pressure and build through the center, Atlético aims to move the ball quickly to the fullbacks in order to advance the play.
Roberto De Zerbi for example is a coach who implement a deep-full-backs build up with Brighton but his objective was to attract pressure and progress forward through the lines with a positional play. Diego Simeone has a different approach. Once the ball reaches the fullbacks, there are three possible scenarios for progression:
- Pass to the Wide Winger: The winger can make a movement to receive the ball at their feet, dragging the defender and then running into space or vice versa.
- Center-Forward Drops or ask in the space: As Atlético plays with two center-forwards, the striker on the strong side of the ball can drop between the lines to receive it or ask for a long ball behind the opponent’s full back.
- Pass to the Midfielder: The midfielders often make movements from the inside towards the flank, creating a temporary overload, asking for the ball or offering additional support.
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By using this strategy, Atlético quickly moves the ball to the second or third line, away from dangerous areas near their own goal. Even if possession is lost, the team usually has eight players behind the ball, ready to counter-press and defend.
Additionally, Atlético’s formation (typically a 4-4-2) positions two or three players near the path of the ball, allowing them to either control the first ball or fight for the second ball if necessary. This way, they minimize the risks of conceding goals from high-pressure situations.
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Exploiting Space Behind the Opponent’s Defensive Line
Another key strategy for Diego Simeone and his team is their ability to exploit the space behind the opponent’s defensive line, especially when the ball is not under pressure.
Direct Play into Space
Atlético frequently moves the ball around with a clear objective: to create opportunities for a player to receive the ball and make a quick pass—long or short—behind the opponent’s defensive line.
When the ball is not under direct pressure, this serves as a signal for Atlético’s attackers to make forward runs, asking for the ball in behind. At the same time, 1 or 2 players from Diego Simeone’s team are making opposite movement, dismarking toward the center asking for a pass between the lines.
These runs often take place in the middle third of the pitch or in the final third. Players typically position themselves in the wide corridors or half-spaces. By doing this, the team can pin defenders back, or attackers may drop deeper to receive the ball, dragging defenders out of position.
Timing and Decision-Making
The success of these runs depends on timing. Players make their opposite movements precisely when a teammate has a clear passing option. The run itself needs to be directed toward the penalty area to maximize the chances of scoring.
However, Atlético doesn’t always play into space. The decision-making of the ball carrier is critical. Depending on the situation, they may choose to make a short pass, maintain possession, or attempt a direct pass into space.
Griezmann’s Free Role: Atlético’s Creative Catalyst
One of the most important elements of Diego Simeone’s Atlético this season is the free role given to Antoine Griezmann. After returning to the club from Barcelona, Griezmann has been granted the freedom to move across the pitch, and it has significantly impacted Atlético’s attacking fluidity. Along his other quality players like Julian Alvarez, Diego Simeone tried to build a balanced squad able to attack and defend with intensity.
Joao Felix transfer of course could impact Atletico’s creativity up front but Diego Pablo Simeone has managed to find again a suitable attacking strategy with more quality players in the attacking line, opposite to the previous teams he presented with strong, touch attacker like Diego Costa.
Tactical Flexibility
Griezmann’s movement is not restricted to any particular position. His initial position is the attacking line being one of the two center forwards. Irrelevant to Atlético’s formation, we frequently see him dropping deep to support the midfield, acting almost like a midfielder sometimes. In other situations, he drifts out wide to play as a winger, creating overloads in certain areas of the pitch or pushing his teammates to move towards other spaces.
His tactical awareness and positional understanding allow him to read the game and position himself where he can either receive the ball or drag defenders away to create space for others. This ability to move and create overloads makes it difficult for opponents to mark him effectively.
Impact on Team Play
Griezmann’s presence adds unpredictability to Atlético’s attack. His movement can confuse defenders and challenge their marking schemes, leading to more space for other players to exploit. Whether by dropping deep to help retain possession or making late runs into the penalty box, Griezmann’s free role has become a vital part of Atlético’s attacking strategy.
Conclusion
Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid is often praised for its defensive solidity, but the team’s attacking pillars are equally essential to their success. The strategic use of deep fullbacks in build-up play, direct runs into space behind the opponent’s defensive line, and Griezmann’s free role all contribute to Atlético’s balanced approach to both attacking and defending.
By minimizing risk through intelligent build-up play and maximizing opportunities with well-timed runs and creative positioning, Atlético Madrid continues to be one of the most formidable teams in La Liga. Their ability to control games, limit goal-scoring chances against them, and create high-quality opportunities for themselves makes them a consistent contender both domestically and in Europe.
