FIVE PLAYERS TO PROVE THEIR WORTH

Atletico Madrid will need a lot from their supporting cast this season

While Saturday's penalty shootout victory over Sagan Tosu may not have produced the most convincing of winning margins for Atletico Madrid this preseason, there are more definitive signs of forward progress from Los Rojiblancos.
Set up in their new-look 4-3-3 system (and they're still very much getting used to it), the Spanish side dominated play and might well have been out of sight before the first half was up. Koke, who is going to be a pivotal member of this "new" Atleti, showed his prowess from set pieces, scoring a goal direct from a corner that earned him plenty of praise from boss Diego Simeone.

The Argentine spoke after the game about his delight at having a group of players capable of lining up in a number of formations. "The team is growing. My intention was to change the system to have more options when La Liga starts," he said. "We'll be able to play both 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 as we wish. We're happy with Oliver [Torres], [Yannick Ferreira] Carrasco, [Luciano] Vietto and [Angel] Correa. They're good players and interesting options to add to our team."

Los Colchoneros now have not only one of the strongest starting XIs in Europe, but also one of the best squads on the continent. As the boss said himself, he has plenty of options to choose from, especially up top.

While it might be the big-name attackers who get the glory, a squad is made up of 25 players and here are five lesser names to look out for as the new season gets underway. While they might not get the headlines, their contributions will be vital in the forthcoming campaign.

Diego Godin

Ask any Atletico Madrid fan who the best defender in the world is and the response will be instantaneous: Godin.
The Uruguayan was a pillar as Atleti won La Liga in 2013-14, not just putting in heroic defensive performances (they shipped only 26 goals in 38 league games) but also scoring the decisive equaliser against Barcelona on the final day of the season to hand his side the league title. Not to mention it was he who opened the scoring in that season's Champions League final.

 

A mainstay of the side's backline, it is something of a coup that Atletico have managed to keep hold of the 29-year-old for the past five seasons and his consistency in marshalling the defence, and his ability to lead by example, will be key as the club look to once again mount challenges both at home and in Europe. His presence will also aid the development of Jose Maria Gimenez, his 20-year-old defensive partner for club and country who has enjoyed a sensational breakthrough 12 months alongside him.

Juanfran

Another Mr. Reliable at the back, Juanfran has made the right-back berth at the Vicente Calderon (and with the Spanish national side) his own over the past couple of seasons.
Like Godin, he is loved by the Calderon faithful and his effort never goes unnoticed. Averaging two tackles and one interception per game over 35 La Liga appearances last season, when he was afforded little protection by Arda Turan, highlights his defensive capabilities. That he also managed to rack up four assists in the league and three in the Champions League showed he is more than a mere defender.
His tireless workrate allows him to push up and down the right-hand side without ever fatiguing and as his numbers prove, he is more than capable of contributing in attack. It will be interesting to see how he links up with new signing Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, who has been pencilled in for a regular role on the right side of midfield.

Tiago

To think that the evergreen Portugal international almost left Atleti on a free transfer last summer is mind-boggling. Granted he had an offer from Chelsea but the club should count themselves very fortunate that the English side's quota of foreign players was full.
The 34-year-old is enjoying a late career run of form, putting in displays we tend to expect from younger, more athletic players. Sitting in front of the back four, he has no qualms in doing the unglamorous. Winning the ball back by fair means or foul, a cheeky trip to prevent an opposition counter attack or the haranguing of a referee after a dodgy decision: you name it, Tiago does it.
He is crucial to this Atleti outfit and testament to his performances last season (which included opening the scoring in both league Madrid derbies as Atleti completed their first double over Real Madrid since 1950-51) is that the club decided to get rid of 28-year-old Spain international Mario Suarez, so unlikely were the prospects of the Portuguese losing his place in the side. This coming season he will likely partner Koke in the middle of the park be it in the 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 system and will once again be essential.

Raul Garcia

It is not just Simeone who is happy to have new faces bringing options and competition for places. Midfielder Garcia told the Spanish media that competition from new signings will ensure everyone is on their toes and giving their all to earn a starting berth.
While he might not play with the same kind of panache as other squad members, the 29-year-old is the epitome of a team man. He is happy to start between 15-20 league games a season and with him you know what you are going to get: commitment, desire and application.

Raul Garcia's effort and drive make him the perfect impact sub and occasional starter for Diego Simeone's side.

Despite only making 17 starts last term he still managed five goals and three assists, while his aerial ability makes him the perfect substitute when Simeone's side were chasing a game and needed to bombard the opposition. Although he has never been capable of a full campaign in terms of starts, Garcia is just as important to the side as those who are and often gets the nod in important away games.

Fernando Torres

A surprising inclusion, perhaps, but the striker could have a big part to play. In addition to helping fill the club's coffers on their pre-season tour to China, where Atleti-mania (in particular, Torres-mania) has taken over, El Nino's performances this summer show he still has a lot to offer.
While Jackson Martinez will spearhead the attack alongside the likes of Antoine Griezmann, it is Torres who will serve as his deputy. His job will be to chip in with 5-10 goals in all competitions and use his pace to help stretch defences as and when is needed. He will also start a fair few matches to allow others a chance to rest; such breaks will be much-needed down the stretch.

As previously mentioned, Torres is entering the final 12 months of his loan deal from AC Milan and is playing for his future. He has said on many an occasion that he wants to finish his career at Atleti and he can go a long way to doing that by playing well enough to secure a permanent contract.

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