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Llorente the driving force as Atletico create breathing space in La Liga
MADRID, March 12, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – A year since Marcos Llorente launched
his career at Anfield, he might be launching Atletico Madrid towards the
title.
Two goals against Liverpool in the Champions League was as many as Llorente
had managed in the previous four seasons of his career, with an assist for
Alvaro Morata confirming Atletico Madrid’s pulsating 3-2 win at Anfield last
year.
Twelve months on, Llorente has nine goals and eight assists in La Liga, a
total of 17 contributions only bettered by Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and
Karim Benzema.
His latest goal was an equaliser against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, a
late run into the box and header into the corner, and really he assisted the
winner too, a through-ball giving Suarez the chance to earn a penalty.
Llorente knew his match-winning performance against Liverpool could be a
turning-point – he even named his dog ‘Anfield’ to celebrate – but he might
not have predicted such a dramatic transformation afterwards.
If La Liga ended tomorrow, he would be a contender for player of the year,
arguably even ahead of Suarez, whose 18 goals since swapping Barcelona for
Madrid have been pivotal in Atletico opening up a six-point lead at the top
of the table.
But if Suarez has provided the finishing touch, Llorente has been Atleti’s
driving force, his running, energy, selflessness, versatility and precision
symptomatic of an Atletico side that has been a testament to the collective.
“For a year now Marcos has been the epitome of effort,” said Diego Simeone
this week. “He arrived at the club, he wasn’t in the team, not even on the
bench, but he kept training and making the effort to get to where he wanted
to get to and he’s managed it.”
– Cross-city switch –
Llorente had already been fighting for years, at Real Madrid where he
joined the academy aged 13 and dreamt of playing for the first team, but
where opportunities and trust were lacking.
He spent a year on loan at Alaves, and thrived, but upon returning found a
turbulent season for Madrid did little for his chances and when Atletico
offered a way out, he took it, Real Madrid taking 40 million euros in
exchange.
It seemed a lot for a defensive midfielder struggling for games but two
years later Atletico boast one of the most dangerous attackers in Europe and
a 26-year-old who looks sure to start for Spain at this summer’s European
Championship.
“As coaches, titles are wonderful, because they fill you with excitement
and glory but when you work with a footballer and you see them grow, it
inspires more joy and more enthusiasm to keep working in this job,” said
Simeone.
Simeone could have both this season, with the title now firmly in
Atletico’s grasp. Their victory over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday gives them
breathing space ahead of Saturday’s trip across the city to Getafe.
Real Madrid, who are eight points behind, play at home to Elche earlier in
the day, before Barcelona host bottom club Huesca on Monday night.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Levante v Valencia (2000)
Saturday
Alaves v Cadiz (1300), Real Madrid v Elche (1515), Osasuna v Real
Valladolid (1730), Getafe v Atletico Madrid (2000)
Sunday
Celta Vigo v Athletic Bilbao (1300), Granada v Real Sociedad (1515), Eibar
v Villarreal (1730), Sevilla v Real Betis (2000)
Monday
Barcelona v Huesca (2000)
BSS/AFP/GMR/0928 hrs