Atletico Madrid may be on the verge of a dynasty in La Liga. Los Rojiblancos won the title in 2020-21 finishing the campaign two points ahead of Real Madrid.
Of the three big clubs in Spain, Atletico Madrid have been hit far less by financial issues compared to Real Madrid and Barcelona. There is a strong argument to make that Diego Simeone’s team could be the future of Spanish football.
🎙️ 𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙎𝙏𝘼 | Rubén Blanco: "Estoy al 100% y muy contento" 😀💯#RCCelta #AfoutezaeCorazón 💙 pic.twitter.com/ajmAKhef7K— RC Celta (@RCCelta) August 12, 2021
🎙️ 𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙎𝙏𝘼 | Rubén Blanco: "Estoy al 100% y muy contento" 😀💯#RCCelta #AfoutezaeCorazón 💙 pic.twitter.com/ajmAKhef7K
On Sunday, Atletico Madrid head to Celta Vigo to play Eduardo Coudet’s squad. The Sky Blues started the campaign roughly in 2020-21 under Oscar Garcia. However, Coudet’s arrival in November sent them away from the relegation zone to finish eighth.
Under the manager in 2021-22, there is an argument to be made that Celta Vigo could finish the season in the European qualification places.
Atletico Madrid will fancy their chances of starting the season with a win away. Simeone’s side have not lost to Celta Vigo since 2018-19, which coincidentally occurred at Balaidos, the venue for Sunday’s match.
Los Rojiblancos are unbeaten in four straight games against Celta Vigo, yet just one of those matches finished in a victory. The one victory came last season at Balaidos as Atletico Madrid posted a 2-0 victory with goals from Luis Suarez and Yannick Carrasco on either side of halftime.
Celta Vigo’s squad looks rather thin going into the season. Coudet still has top players to call on in the form of Iago Aspas and Nolito. Aspas scored 14 goals in 33 games last season for the Sky Blues.
Atletico Madrid’s big summer signing is Rodrigo De Paul. The Argentine was the “player of the moment” in the transfer market over the last 12 months and Atletico Madrid splurged €35 million to sign him from Udinese.
The glaring weakness at Atletico Madrid this season is the striker position. Although it was Suarez’s signing and goals that sent the team to the title, he is a year older. Joao Felix continues to underwhelm after his big money move to the club from Benfica.
Felix’s transfer value continues to plummet. He will start the season on the sidelines following ankle surgery in July. Other than Felix, Simeone does not have any other significant injuries. Coudet has not reported any injuries for the match.
Atletico Madrid should continue their unbeaten run against Celta Vigo. An away win, just like in 2020-21, will be the result as the champions lay down a marker for the new campaign.