Why Diego Simeone Abandoned The 4-4-2

[@Pritvi12]

The versatility is one of this team's biggest strengths as you rightly pointed out. It's one of the reasons why Simeone very rarely spends a lot on acquiring players simply for squad depth.

[@GabrielNicho]

It wasn't that fun for them last year though when everyone was injured lol.

[@chiss22]

This may be random but I just wanna show some appreciation for JJ and Alex’s t-shirt collections. They’re always so cool!

[@R3in_Ch]

nah its not random

[@aldrinbenny5412]

Koke is one of the most underrated deep lying playmakers in the world, he might not be fast or have good finishing, but his vision,awareness and passing accuracy are really great, he is the conductor of the entire team.

[@abhrajitdhar4628]

Most deep lying playmakers are very underrated. Just look at Busquets

[@ardianfarizaldi7990]

@@abhrajitdhar4628 because they play it simple, not doing many flashy sklills, just some simple pass and keep the team stay in good shape. They will rated more if they do killer pass more often or strike from far (ex: Pirlo).

[@abhrajitdhar4628]

@@ardianfarizaldi7990 that is their purpose.

[@reff9203]

@@ardianfarizaldi7990 busquets even though he is slow and out of his prime ,his vision ,one touch passing and his dribbling(he only dribbles to attract pressure ) its just world class

[@GTAVictor9128]

Another advantage of the 3-5-2 is that it can be easily converted into a 5-3-2 when the team is focused on defending by pushing the wingbacks down. This thus adds even more defensive solidity at the back than the 4-4-2 as the defence has a numerical advantage over the opposition's forwards. Also, could the adoption of the defensive 4-4-2 by the smaller teams be one of the major culprits on why the average goals per match have been consistently decreasing in La Liga? The media tries to portray it as a bad thing, with especially Prem fanboys using this as an excuse to call La Liga boring. But it could be a good thing resulting from the smaller La Liga sides becoming more solid defensively.

[@mnt5592]

It could be. One the coaches that utiilises this is Jose Bordalas with Getafe and now Valencia. Also, I guess that smaller teams are not afraid to challenge the bigger teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona.

[@ntethelelolungwase2029]

It's all started in UCL, 2019/20 when he was playing Liverpool away, playing 4 4 2 meant dat they can't cover a line of 5 fowards/ midfield of 5. So 1 player was either unmarked or Atleti's player was 2 v 1. Liverpool dominated the whole game, what kept em was having hardworking mids lyk Partey, Koke, Saul etc to make up numbers with their work rates. Luckily, Adrian happened n they escaped. They went to face RB Leipzig in d next round, Nagelsmann studied d previous game well and used it against Atletico. Nagelsmann teams are moe strategic, while Klopp's are moe athletic. And a Midfield of 4 was really struggling to cover 5 midfielders of Leipzig. And comiting a defender wuld open spaces in d defensive line and dropping a forward wuld leave d other Isolated in either pressing situations/offensive transition. RB Leipzig play moe strategic so they were well aware of to exploit 4 4 2. It didn't matter if 4 mids of Atleti were narrow, or spreading. If the spread, players in between d lines were options, n if they remained narrow they used wide areas to attack n overload fullbacks. I believe Simeone started there to adapt his system n expected other teams to use d same tactics dat d Germany coaches used against him.

[@ninjalectualx]

Atleti would even have beaten Liepzig if it wasn't for that Tyler Adams screamer 😭😭😭

[@FootballDrawn]

As a tactical enthusiast, one thing I realized is that, at the end of the day, for each tactic, there's an anti-tactic that's an antidote to it, and then there's another new tactic that goes over the anti-tactic, and the cycles continue. For Total football, there was Catenaccio...for the 90's 3-5-2, there was 442, and for 442, there was 433, and now we see the re-emergence of 3-5-2 in the past few seasons ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽

[@wilfordcolbert1333]

brilliantly said, mate

[@7bucksnutrition303]

👍👍

[@moumenrezaei1330]

makes sense

[@kieronparr3403]

It's all just numbers really. It's not like they stick rigidly to those lines

[@ireplytostupidpeople4750]

433 is essentially a 325/334 during attack. Formations as we know it are really just numbers now

[@mafiousbj]

As an Argentinian I´m still looking forward to the day Simeone finally comes to manage our national team...imagine what we could do with a proper manager again!

[@bhgdssfgh1573]

Sorry im not being rude but as a atletico fan i wish he stays here forever..😆😆

[@mafiousbj]

@@bhgdssfgh1573 totally understandable and Simeone deserves the love you give him 😂

[@bhgdssfgh1573]

@@mafiousbj are you making fun of me or something😅

[@mafiousbj]

@@bhgdssfgh1573 no no, on the contrary I love how the Aleti fans respect Simeone, and I understand you wanting to keep him as coach forever, he could be like Ferguson was for Man Utd. We are proud of him!

[@Jaminho397]

Can't he not just manage both Atletico and Argentina at the same time, no? Is that allowed?

[@tenzingdawa4220]

I have always assumed Simeone changed his beloved 4-4-2 to accommodate the slow-but-vastly-talented Luis Suarez and to play Trippier higher above to utilise his effective crosses. All in all, it has been a wise change since Atletico needed more goals even if it came at the cost of defence. Some players like Lemar and Hermoso found new life while Saul was an unfortunate victim. Not finding a proper #9 replacement for Suarez is disappointing but with the form of Kondogpia, Correa and new signing de Paul, it appears to be a very exciting season ahead for Atletico. The striker is the only problem I could see.

[@juicebx283]

Well you are correct. It isn't the only reason though. He mentioned the players are better now so you have to adapt tactically to get the most out of them. I've watched De Paul closely and I am so happy he joined our team. the only problems with our team is depth and the striker position. Last season we had to go away from this system around January because of injuries and suspensions.

[@tenzingdawa4220]

@@juicebx283 yes depth is an area that needs fixing, especially the defence (Savic clutching his leg in the last game against Elche was freakin scary! He was a beast last season) and striker (Suarez is our only #9). Correa saved Atletico in the last two games without Suarez (same as last season) but I don’t think he can take on the goal scoring burden of Suarez like perhaps Rafa Mir could have. Depthwise, midfield and wingbacks will be fine since Simeone will adapt one of the CMs into a wingback if need be. Kondogpia might even play as centreback if Giminez gets injured or Hermoso gets suspended

[@ardianfarizaldi7990]

With Griezmann coming back, i think the problem is solved?

[@tenzingdawa4220]

@@ardianfarizaldi7990 I don’t think so since Griezmann likes to play deeper than a number 9 would so that he can have more ball and thus dictate the offensive play (that’s how he played in Atletico and France atleast). This style of dropping back is similar to Joao Felix and Correa and Cunha - having such players is good since they tend to be good with ball and creative. But we need someone who plays like Suarez - he leads the line and act as focal point of any offensive play. Such players are also important in most teams as we discovered last season when Suarez got injured. I think Simeone will turn Correa into an out and out striker if Suarez gets injured again. I’m sure he’ll let Griezmann play his usual game since he loves Griezmann so much 🤢

[@opinionatortv6457]

@@tenzingdawa4220 Osinmhen could be an option in the near future if Napoli are willing to sell

[@Devilinlimbo]

"Siege Mentality" - never thought about that in Futbol tactics. Makes sense for Simeone and Atleti....

[@absurdanemone104]

Alex’s notebook made me think he is holding a big piece of cheddar cheese

[@peterd6637]

11:48 Aug 25, 2021 - SkyNet comprehends humour: time is running out for humanity.

[@parmaman8551]

So essentially Sean Dyche was a visionary?

[@elikale3201]

YESSSSS

[@febrianr8578]

He's up there with Simone Inzaghi imo

[@tobyhellewell5981]

5:26 “no, stay there Jan” was legit the funniest thing. I don’t know why I’m nearly wetting myself over it

[@drgramnegative7310]

Truely an iconic comment of our age…

[@GTAVictor9128]

Would be more accurate in regards to Neuer: "No, stay there Manuel, no need to be sweeping the ball".

[@juanantoniodomenechrubio5780]

Also having 3 in the back allows the Atleti to use a playmaker like Koke as defensive midfielder instead of using a 100% defensive player.

[@GTAVictor9128]

Basically a deep-lying playmaker.

[@homosapien5156]

I really liked how Atletico played during the 2013-14 season with the 4-4-2. I was sad to see that being dropped. But change is inevitable. It will be exciting to see how this pans out.

[@thatosoafo1331]

I'd like to Tifo into a Diego Costa type aggressive on the press, strength to bully defenders and Finishing ability for a true number 9 and what kind of team would benefit the most from him

[@jcxkzhgco3050]

Basically we play decent football till like 70 minutes and turn on terrorist football mode after that, unless we’re behind

[@DropshippersNightmare]

Or terrorist football if you're headed into the second leg with a lead. No one can fault simeone tho, the main objective in football is to win and not to look pretty. The only people compaining are sore losers who got ktfo by atleti.

[@chinmayrevant8750]

Hahaha True That. More like ICU football

[@nyzrh]

Great video! It's really well made, structured nicely and the analysis is very good and easy to understand.

[@bigblueben2178]

Greatest manager in the world 💪🏻

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

Pep: I'm I Nothing To You! 🥺

[@nikhil796]

@@JK_JK_JK_JK but simeone is also good

[@bigblueben2178]

@@JK_JK_JK_JK Pep is elite level but Simeone’s players die for him on the pitch. Without his demands and encouragement there’s no way Atleti win the league

[@paulhogan3116]

In terms of football analysis, I think Alex's videos are the best on TIFO IRL, great presentation!

[@Egalitealeaves]

Omg I'm first. You can read all about it on the Athletic...

[@larurentius]

Visit the link in the description below

[@thomaspowell3442]

Plz no, I have PTSD from that xD

[@myreplytoyourstupidity4445]

Lol I'll allow it in order to get the videos. Subscribing and stuff helps them too

[@keelybannister6487]

You're second on my screen... 👀😉

[@Geoshado]

If you love tifo, you’ll love tifo irl

[@fredrik8500]

Still waiting for tifo after dark

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

Next: Why Arsenal Abandoned any hope of winning the Premier League! 😏👍

[@twandinh]

probably hoping to keep their place at the prem instead of getting down

[@billb9208]

They replaced it with the hope of winning the Championship 🏆

[@patrickpower2215]

It going to be awhile before they make it back to echelons of football just look at AC Milan.

[@sigfigronath]

tbf this manager would do well at Arsenal

[@muzammil_babar]

Lmao

[@jcxkzhgco3050]

Because we have 89273 midfielders but 4 centre backs

[@nikhil796]

Yeah broo🤣🤣🤣 Even kondos playin cb

[@LA-ud8ks]

@@nikhil796 they want a left footed CB which is either Hermoso or Kondo

[@chubs2312]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@cheifwhat]

The TL:DR then, Athletico don't play the way they used to as they have more money now and therefore better players, so Simeone has changed the formation to suit the new style.

[@LA-ud8ks]

Great vid! Main reason is the abundance of center mids in my opinion though. Gotta be able to fit Koke, Saul, Llorente, de Paul and rotation options like Lemar and Kondogbia into the same side and moving guys like Saul and Llorente into wing back spots takes care of that.

[@nikhil796]

Dont forget kondogbia

[@patrickdaitya7084]

Saul and Llorente don't really play wingback normally

[@LA-ud8ks]

@@patrickdaitya7084 they do now

[@LA-ud8ks]

@Alexander Choi I think their best XI is with Koke, de Paul, Llorente and Saul all starting and the best way to make that work is having Saul and Llorente be wing backs.

[@LA-ud8ks]

@Alexander Choi Carrasco never plays RWB. I agree Llorente is best thru the middle but more of a need on the right.

[@PETROVICGAMES]

Kondogbia is so underrated

[@aygenhepurker5713]

Just curious if you could compare Atleti’s 3-5-2 to conte’s championship 3-5-2 at inter? They seem very similiar.

[@aygenhepurker5713]

@Alexander Choi please explain if you don’t mind and feel comfortable!

[@aldrinbenny5412]

@Alexander Choi how do you analyse it so well

[@giannismantzaris6956]

my friend i am a huge fan of this chanel dont get me wrong but i paused the video at the 3rd min to make this comment !its very poor and oversimplyfied analysis of cholismo 442 . it wasnt that simple neither in defence or in offence . for example one trademark of the 442 is that when they attack the wide mids come narrow the fullbacks press really high in defence the wid full backs become also third cb when dealing with crosses and many many more ''tricks'' of tactics it wasnt only just effective defence you should see atleti 90' against smaller opposition or when they made grest come backs how well attack they were paying also in the super cup against real madrid for example...is not possible to win so many by only playing very deffensivly....just sayin

[@ninjalectualx]

Here in 2024 and this video is still accurate! Though starting this year I expect to see a 5-2-2-1 with Griezmann and Àlvarez as the attacking mids or maybe even a 5-1-3-1 No La Liga teams run a 4-4-2 anymore though, except Real Madrid sometimes. Almost everyone is using a one striker formation usually 4231 or 433

[@theuthras5716]

Seeing Alex presenting an intersting thing: ☺️ Seeing Alex presenting an intersting thing but realising that means you won't witness Joe's descent into madness: 😔

[@gaelolivier5520]

That thumbnail is everything omg 👌

[@fhjunior6183]

Thanks for the vid

[@Maj1794]

4-4-2 is such an underrated formation.

[@OisinMcHugh]

Please put a De-esser on the audio master, please. Otherwise great 👍

[@satyamsangal6659]

Barcelona is great example of what Someone did not do. Buy players of different mentality and skills and force them into the system.

[@MrBoboiscool]

Basically simeone was zigging (shape), then everyone started zigging so he decided to zag.

[@Ackz89]

Cheers Alex

[@Blip-qz9ch]

They just signed Matheus Cunha

[@wes5457]

Hello From Colombia, I like hear the estrategy of the Atl M.

[@sergioogm__]

4-4-2 has returned!!!

[@ShinChan-bi7tv]

Atletico Madrid sensible transfers please

[@jackbilo2819]

Fc Porto have been using a 442 the last 4 seasons. You can say these teams are coping them instead of these teams who just started using it.

[@Sasuke-Dono]

What is even the relevance of this comment?

[@naeem-hf7xx]

it’s funny bc i would dominate other teams on fifa 18 with atletis 442 but recently hasn’t worked so well as the new 352 🤯 it’s crazy

[@jayem6677]

great vid

[@marianchicago4002]

I think another reason is that some of the old guard players, like Godin have left or been sold, like Thomas Partey and new players that have come have different abilities and strengths and he's aware of that and has adjusted. Have to say Athletico have a very nice mix of old veterans from previous teams to keep their DNA, their own young players they brought up, and old veterans they brought in, and talented players on younger side, very astute team building. I am only dissapointed they didn't get Sergio Ramos, the trio of masters of dark arts on the same team in Simeone, Suarez and Ramos would be awesome to see,

[@attedau6235]

TOP Video

[@nikhil796]

Wanted this

[@javaidi3325]

I remember that McDonald's usa 94 shirt , nice choice

[@facomori3110]

Alex's nostalgia for The 94' World Cup Is massive...The Last without England.

[@XxKP2606xX]

despite this wonderful explanation, they were still shite against chelsea in the ucl

[@kenwat5618]

true...but got a league title so not a disastrous season imo

[@darkgenesis342]

He actually went back to the 442 against Chelsea

[@chinmayrevant8750]

We didn't have trippier against Chelsea. Who is a KEY player for us. Without him we had to Shift to 442

[@aldrinbenny5412]

Tbh atleti could have given chelsea a tougher fight if simeone decided to play with the new tactics, but he just went with a terrible back 6 in 1st leg and experiented a 442 in 2nd leg.

[@kjelvin4593]

Because our players where injured that season so the tie was already over when it begin, The champions league that season wasn't really important for us.

[@richardcrewe6579]

Tifo IRL need to do an analysis of Alex's notepad, cus wtf do those notes mean haha

[@g.r.a.h.a.m.]

What is the software you are using for the demonstrations?

[@aspesihlesekeleni3321]

not a single mention of RDP🙁 even tho he is a key player in the systm. Saul is on the verge of leaving bcoz he arrived

[@darkgenesis342]

How is he key when it was used to win the league last season without him? He will be key eventually but he isn't yet

[@123Todayy]

Casually said Oblak best keeper

[@cowsaysboo]

He's not wrong though

[@febrianr8578]

Atletico best known for their goalkeeper quality since de Gea

[@obeleebube6704]

I believe he played the 3 defenders bcuz of Mario hermoso

[@joshlcfc8433]

Joao Felix?

[@nikhil796]

Returning✌

[@nhhnathan3]

Aupa Atleti!!!

[@adithyaadiga488]

PLEASE DO A VEDIO ON LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA PREVIEW PLEASE

[@PETROVICGAMES]

With time, even Simeone got more agressive

[@riccardotota3201]

How is Joao Felix ? has he been a flop or has twitter been overreacting? I didnot see him in the video

[@riccardotota3201]

I don`t watch la liga :(

[@kjelvin4593]

Felix is injured most of the time

[@fishyfish6510]

Only Atleti would play 6-3-1 like they did against us last season. I have never seen not Burnley, not Newcastle, not Brighton play 6-3-1 ever 😂

[@nikhil796]

That he played because he didnt had his players

[@PETROVICGAMES]

Yo, where can I get these t-shirts?????

[@willsaenz6320]

I will pay actual money for an El Cholo G.I. Joe poster.

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

15:31 😂 But it's only natural, right?! You don't own your strategies and if you do something cool or effective people are going to copy, if not right now then the future generation will, so is better to happen early, this way the sport can evolve and become more diverse, complex and interesting.

[@Grgonaldo]

where is Joao Felix?

[@christianbrix5211]

What's the deal with the GI Joe logo? Diego Simeone: A Real Argentinian Hero?

[@alerog745]

Because 4 defenders is less than 7

[@raptor_boquita]

To think this guy father in-law lives a block from my house

[@SoumikBiswas-sn8ll]

If you can't beat them , join them!!

[@themathsdebater5471]

ah yes, koe kay

[@daanishdan318]

What about Felix their 100 million baby 😅?

[@Daniel-jp1hh]

Injuries 👌

[@daanishdan318]

@@Daniel-jp1hh I think they played some of their best football in the Champions League when they were a goal down and had Felix on the field

[@andorrasrevenge1683]

Sounds like Chelsea these days. Or am i wrong?

[@TheOutlierToday]

Imagine this guy high.

[@therealking6202]

Every time I hear the name Koke, in my mind I finish it with eeeeeenn!!! Every single time.

[@Noah_wef]

Felix not even on the bench 😭

[@shawnj980]

Where is J.J Bull?

[@Nicho213007]

he's basically just Sam Allardyce of Spain therefore looking at the way Athletico Madrid play is like watching paint dry 🥱🥱🥱🥱

[@darkgenesis342]

Wow

[@redwhites3651]

ok klopp

[@nert-13]

What about the €120 million they spent on João Felix? Shouldn't he be starting?

[@GTAVictor9128]

He's recovering from an ankle surgery.

[@nert-13]

@@GTAVictor9128 when he gets back he'll start over correa right?

[@aldrinbenny5412]

@@nert-13 he'll rather start over lemar on the left ,correa and llorente might still feature on the right, considering correa is in really good form

[@seshankch2219]

LOL!!! 🤣Is it just me or did Joao felix somehow become so non-existential that he doesn't even make the bench for Tifo Atletico ⚽❎

[@GTAVictor9128]

Be respectful, he's still recovering from an ankle surgery. He'll be back when he's ready.

[@Daniel-jp1hh]

Just injuries keeping him out

[@darkgenesis342]

@@Daniel-jp1hh does he really play ahead of Correa in form? Don't think so, hopefully he's better this season

[@marxbanger2886]

he played tuchel's chelsea last year and saw what a 3-4-3 could do and copied it as its well suited to their player's style.

[@GTAVictor9128]

Atletico adopted the 3-5-2 at the start of last season, long before the UCL even started.

[@marxbanger2886]

@@GTAVictor9128 such a shame he didn't use it when it would have been useful.

[@normal1person-ns3ws]

@@marxbanger2886 true he admitted he fucked up but tuchel is genius

[@kjelvin4593]

@@normal1person-ns3ws because our players where injured

[@narutokunn]

That thumbnail reads like bhench**, a Hindi abuse.

[@Tex_Mex_A_Lex]

I like that shirt - an American

[@alfredaramouni5884]

Why isn't joão felix in the list

[@containedhurricane]

Because Simeone is ultra-defensive with five or six men to protect his goalie. Tuchel taught him a lesson in UCL last season, when he used his negative football

[@jcxkzhgco3050]

Not exactly, atleti had some injury concerns before the first leg and basically had to defend and keep a clean sheet but failed and chelsea used their advantage well and defeated atleti at stanford bridge

[@GM-kj7sy]

Chelsea isnt exactly what u call negative.They are a compact midblock who does like to play with a high line when they are in possession and press immediately once they are out of it.The midblock comes in once their first line of pressure is broken

[@containedhurricane]

@@jcxkzhgco3050 Simeone used ultra-defensive tactic in both legs and even at the Emirates when playing against Wenger's Arsenal in EL

[@containedhurricane]

@@GM-kj7sy Chelsea? I'm talking about Simeone, the negative football master

[@jcxkzhgco3050]

@@containedhurricane dude that el game was in 2018, when he primarily played with 4-4-2.. Atleti were forced back by chelsea as Chelsea’s midfield dominated atleti’s