Here is a brief FM20 team guide of the Atletico Madrid squad, their club structure, relationship any potential managers will have with the board, expectations and possible tactics any player can use in Football Manager 2020.
Here is a brief FM20 team guide of the Atletico Madrid squad, their club structure, relationship any potential managers will have with the board, expectations and possible tactics any FM manager can use.
About the club
Atletico Madrid or Atletico are a professional football club that ply their trade in the La Liga. In terms of league titles won, most recently in 2014, Atlético Madrid are the third most successful club in Spanish football – behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Atlético have won La Liga on 10 occasions, including a league and cup double in 1996; the Copa del Rey on 10 occasions; two Supercopa de Espana and one Copa Eva Duarte; in Europe, they won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1962, were runners-up in 1963 and 1986, were Champions League runners-up in 1974, 2014 and 2016, won the Europa League in 2010, 2012 and 2018, and won the UEFA Super Cup in 2010, 2012 and 2018 as well as the 1974 Intercontinental Cup.
The club are relatively successful and are a constant presence in the UEFA Champion’s League. In fact, they rank 2nd on the UEFA Coefficients table behind Real Madrid.
Board Expectations
As always, Atletico are in the Champion’s league once again and you will be replacing a very successful manager in Diego Simeone, the board requirements should be,
- Win the La Liga
- Make the QF of the UEFA Champion’s League
- Work towards becoming self-sustainable
There will be no particular demands from the board in terms of how you want to play as long as you achieve the results.
The transfer budget when you initially take over should be minimal because the Club have already spent a staggering £225m pounds on new signings. There will be very little wage budget to make drastic changes too.
Atletico Madrid have excellent training facilities and a capable youth system. However, you will need to work on improving these after you stabilize your position at the club.
Squad, Formation and Tactical Style
Atletico are a team that generally like to play on the counter. They like playing a fast tempo game and release their wide midfielders into attacking positions. They are also a team that puts a lot of weightage on set pieces, especially corners. So a Fluid counter-attacking style of football is best suited to go with their strengths.
A traditional 4-4-2 is probably the best suited formation to the available squad of players. This also helps them maintain the width and releasing the ball quickly to counter opponents.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-4-2 formation is as follows,
- Jan Oblak as a sweeper keeper.
- Jose Gimenez & Mario Hermoso as the 2 ball-playing centre backs.
- Kieran Trippier & Renan Lodi as the 2 wing-backs. Increased crossing instructions to take advantage of Trippier’s naturally high crossing stats is recommended.
- Thomas Partey & Saul Niguez as the 2 central midfielders. Thomas plays a ball-winning midfielder & Saul plays as a box to box.
- Koke & Thomas Lemar as the 2 wide midfielders. Both are very good passers and crossers and Lemar can be given more attacking freedom.
- Diego Costa to play as a Defensive forward or an Advanced Forward Joao Felix to play as a shadow striker.
Alternatively, you can go with a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond with Lemar operating as an advanced midfielder and you can play Morata as an advanced forward.
Key Players
1. Jose Gimenez
Jose Gimenez is a very accomplished central defender who is very mature for his age. He is also a threat from set-pieces.
2. Koke
Koke is the club captain and is a versatile midfielder who can play multiple positions. His vision and set piece ability make him a crucial part of the Atletico lineup.
3. Jan Oblak
Jan Oblak has the highest save percentage amongst all keepers in the last year and the main reason why Atletico keep a lot of clean sheets. His fitness and form are very important to your season.
Weaknesses
- The quality of backups in the squad may not be upto quality and could prove fatal if your squad is affected by injuries.
- You run the risk of some talents being poached by other clubs especially in search of higher wages.
- Since the budget is already completely spent there is absolutely no way of bolstering the squad and could leave the squad with a few gaps.
Potential Transfers (in)
With Atletico having problems with their bench you definitely need to bolster the quality of the squad to compete with the big 2. These players could be welcome additions to the side.
- Paco Alcacer
- Bernardo Silva
Potential Transfers (Out)
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
- Alvaro Morata
- Diego Costa
- Hector Herrera
Young Prospects
There are a few exciting young prospects in the ranks who have the potential to be some of the best players in the league. A few examples are,
- Joao Felix (ST, AMC)
- Ivan Saponjic (ST)
- Francisco Montero (CB, LB)
- Carlos Isaac (RB)
FM20 Team Guide - Atletico Madrid
To Summarize, Atletico Madrid are a very exciting club to manage for many FM Managers. The allure of managing one of the best wonderkids Football Manager 2020 (Joao Felix) and the prospect of dethroning the Spanish giants is an enticing prospect. Are you up for this challenge?
