Takeaways from Atlético Madrid’s comfortable 2-0 win over Juventus

Atlético Madrid wrapped up their pre-season campaign in Sweden, closing the curtain on a series of friendlies with a 2-0 win against Italian giants Juventus at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg.

After an even first-half ended goalless, substitute João Félix took only three minutes to get on the scoresheet in the second period, with a smart pass from Reinildo down the left setting up Samuel Lino to cut back for Ángel Correa to dummy and Félix to score.

There would be no dummy from Correa in the closing moments, as Giuliano Simeone’s persistence won a penalty which Correa stepped up to fire into the bottom corner to double Atleti’s lead.

Here are some of the major takeaways.

Robin Le Normand’s place in defence

For the first time we saw Robin Le Normand in an Atlético Madrid shirt as the new arrival from Real Sociedad started on the right of a back three, looking right at home despite only having a few days of training with his new team-mates under his belt.

The Spanish international recorded 100% in both passing accuracy and duel success rates, giving him a pretty much dream debut, as he kept Juventus under control and allowed Marcos Llorente freedom to step forward down the right without worrying about Kenan Yildiz breaking forward.

Le Normand will almost certainly be one of the first names on the team-sheet for the season opener against Villarreal, but those alongside him are much less certain. What was perhaps most intriguing was that he was deployed on the right, meaning a rejig for those around him.

That also meant a new face playing on the left of the back three in César Azpilicueta. The position is clearly Atleti’s weak link with no solution found even as we enter the final week before the start of the La Liga season.

The fitness of Antoine Griezmann

This was also the first time that we’ve seen Antoine Griezmann in action since his return from Euro 2024, where France were beaten by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals with Griezmann failing to register a single goal involvement and continuing his form where he looked exhausted more than anything else, as he did at the end of the 2023/24 campaign for Atlético.

Here, he didn’t show too much sign of improvement. He linked up and got involved, but he looked tired and off the pace, which could simply be the sign of a 33-year-old coming off the back of an 11-month season and heading into his first pre-season match, but Diego Simeone can’t afford to wait for him to rebuild his fitness in the opening weeks of the campaign.

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He did hit the woodwork with one powerful effort as he broke down the right flank, reaching the byline and almost catching out Michele Di Gregorio in the Juve goal at his near post. That wing was arguably Griezmann’s highlight, as he did connect well with Marcos Llorente behind him and look lively with some movements, but his fitness remains a worry.

João Félix and Giuliano Simeone add something Atleti don’t have

The reemergence of João Félix as an option for Cholo Simeone has been one of the headline stories of this pre-season for Atlético Madrid, and he once again staked his claim as he came off the bench and scored after only three minutes in Sweden. It showed a cutting edge and a confidence in the box that had been lacking from an Alexander Sørloth who received little service, with Griezmann behind him looking rusty.

It is also worth noting that this was not João’s finest hour in pre-season. He slacked off a little defensively and looked less involved than he has elsewhere, but the story-grabbing moment was a well-taken goal.

Quite the opposite was another substitute, Giuliano Simeone. The son of Diego now looks set to stay with the club for the season and it was clear to see why. He immediately brought energy, tenacity and desire into the fray, doing so even coming only days after rejoining the team following his involvement in the Olympic Games.

Simeone won’t be a regular starter, but he may be the man to replace Ángel Correa in that role should his teammate be sold to balance the books. Similar in profile, his pace and trickery, as well as brute determination, made an impression.

4 wins from 4 in pre-season

With victory in Sweden, Atleti were able to wrap up their preparations for 2024/25 with a 100% win rate. Granted, this was the first of three games to truly test the Colchoneros against real quality, but Atleti looked comfortable and efficient as they have throughout pre-season.

This was a chaotic pre-season which definitely did not go according to plan in any way, shape or form. From the last-minute cancellation of the visit to Asia, later scaled back to consist of a one-off game in Hong Kong, to the late incorporation of a number of first team regulars after international duties.

Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images

At times in this game, Juventus seemed to be in a better physical shape than Atleti, but in fact that changed as the game wore on. Where Juventus tired quickly, Atleti looked fresher, and were able to bring more quality off the bench to compete.

Given the displays both here and against Getafe in the two more serious encounters, Atlético have looked in good form heading into the start of the new season. The concern will be just how up to speed some of the late incorporations may be.

Where were the rest of the first team squad?

While most of the squad were in Gothenburg, several first team players didn’t quite make the cut. It was a bizarre choice at first, seemingly deeming that the likes of Josema Giménez and Nahuel Molina were not fully fit, despite the presence of Rodrigo de Paul who returns at the same time as them. Additionally, players like Javi Galán, Thomas Lemar and Arthur Vermeeren were left out, a surprising choice even if they may not have been expected to start.

Instead, they all played for Atlético’s B team in a 3-0 win over Zamora. It was an unexpected and bizarre move, given that the players were training on the pitch at Cerro del Espino with the expectation that it would be all for their involvement. Instead, they were named in the line-up which was led by first team coach Luis García Tevenet, rather than Atleti B coach Fernando Torres.

Giménez, Lemar, Vermeeren and Molina all started, alongside youngsters who have been involved with the first team like Santiago Mouriño and Carlos Martín. The first team stars played the first half of the game in Majadahonda, being replaced by B team regulars for the second period, while Torres also took a place on the bench for the final 45 minutes.