Atlético led 2–0 in Belgium and still walked away with a 3–3 draw.

In this episode, Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) & Kelvyn (@kelvynbrown19) break down a chaotic night that perfectly summed up Atlético’s season away from home.

We analyse the rollercoaster performance: the strong, aggressive high press early on, and why it completely unraveled once it was beaten. Why does the team start proactive, only to retreat into a deep block so quickly? Is Atlético too reactive when protecting leads?

The discussion dives into:

• Why the press struggled structurally

• The risks of dropping deep in winning game states

• How Giuliano drifting centrally in buildup and progression could offer solutions

• The mentality issue that continues to define Atleti’s away performances

Finally, there’s a full preview of the Espanyol clash, what to expect tactically and mentally, plus Manolo’s record against Atlético and why it matters.

A 5–0 demolition of Betis away in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. A 4–0 statement win over Barcelona in the semifinal first leg. And yet, sandwiched between them, two league defeats: 1–0 at home to Betis and 3–0 away to Rayo.

Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) & Kelvyn (@kelvynbrown19) break down whether Atlético have effectively conceded the LaLiga title race and shifted their focus to the Copa del Rey and Champions League. Were the squad selections in those league losses rotation out of necessity or a clear prioritisation of silverware?

We analysed Ademola Lookman’s impact since arriving, what he adds to Simeone’s system, and how Álex Baena could fit into the tactical structure moving forward. They also discuss reports linking José María Giménez with a possible summer exit and what that would mean defensively.

Finally, they preview Atlético’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge , what’s at stake, tactical matchups, and whether this team can carry its cup intensity into Europe.

A month of extremes. Now comes the defining stretch.

Atlético’s season hits a critical transfer crossroads. After a damaging 0–0 draw and fading LaLiga momentum, we focus fully on the winter window: what’s broken, what needs fixing, and which profiles actually move the needle.

We break down how the current squad construction is limiting Simeone, assess potential arrivals like Lookman, Obade-Vargas, and Mendoza, and debate whether these targets solve Atleti’s issues in chance creation, transitions, and game control. We also examine recent departures, remaining gaps, and how recruitment decisions could define the title race and top-three push.

Finally, we look ahead to the Copa del Rey clash vs Betis and why it matters tactically, psychologically, and politically in the context of January planning.

Transfers first. Results follow.

Atlético edged past Alavés 1–0, but the performance once again highlighted familiar issues. Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) and Kelvyn (@kelvynbrown19) break down the win with a focus on player performances, squad balance, and what it says about Atlético at this stage of the season.

We assess the impact of Gallagher and Raspadori’s departures, particularly how Raspadori’s exit could reshape minutes and responsibilities in the attacking line, and whether this opens the door for Almada to play a bigger role.

There’s a detailed look at the Alavés match: Atlético’s continued struggle to kill games despite creating chances, the lack of control after taking the lead, and Julián Álvarez’s ongoing difficulties within Simeone’s current setup.

The episode closes with a Champions League preview against Galatasaray, focusing on what the result means for Atlético’s chances of securing a top-8 finish, the margin for error in the league phase.

Atlético reach the halfway point of the 2025/26 season on 38 points, six fewer than last year and already double digits behind Barcelona. In this episode, Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) and Kelvyn (@kelvynbrown19) cut through the table optics to assess what this Atleti side really is: a team evolving tactically, or one regressing despite heavy investment.

We break down the league and UCL numbers, Simeone’s shift toward a higher press and greater possession, why execution hasn’t matched ambition, and how Julián Álvarez’s role encapsulates the problem.

We also assess January departures, unmet squad needs, and what must change in the second half of the season if Atleti are to avoid a top-four dogfight.

A clear-eyed midseason audit of Simeone’s most expensive squad yet.

Emmanuel Lavogez (@LaLigaLavo) and Kelvyn Brown (@kelvynbrown19) break down Barcelona 3–1 Atlético with a full tactical deep dive:

• what Atleti did well early

• how the match flipped after key injuries

• why Barça’s technical players took over once Simeone’s side retreated.

We analyze the roles of Pedri, Olmo, Raphinha and Lamine, dissect where Atleti lost structure, and highlight how Gallagher and Almada changed the rhythm after coming on.

We also dig into individual performances:

• Molina’s progression

• Griezmann’s struggles

• Sorloth’s not doing great as an outlet

• Alvarez’s adjustment issues

• The bigger pattern of Atleti losing control after scoring first.

We then preview Atleti's trip to San Mamés and provide a sharp, detailed breakdown of

• what is happening to Athletic Club and their poor form,
• how Valverde's side can hurt Atleti, and
• what Cholo must fix to improve Atleti's away record.

Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) & Domagoj Kostanjšak (@DKostanjsak) break down how Barcelona have evolved from last season to this one, what the underlying metrics reveal, and the tactical blueprint Xavi will bring into this clash. We dissect where Barça remain elite, where they’re vulnerable, and how Atlético can realistically exploit those gaps.

We explored:

• Barça’s possession structure, rotations, high press & how it’s changed year-to-year
• Simeone’s clearest routes to hurt Barcelona: high-line exploitation, second balls, hybrid pressing, transitions
• How Barcelona can damage Atleti through half-space attacks, wide overloads & Lewandowski’s link-ups
• Key matchups & micro-battles that could decide the rhythm of the game
• In-game scenarios, adjustments & live tactical prompts for our guest

s episode clicks.

Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) and Kelvyn (@kelvynbrown19) break down Atlético’s six-game winning streak and what’s truly driving this surge in form. From gritty late winners to renewed defensive discipline, the guys walk through every detail of the run and what still needs sharpening ahead of the next test against Real Oviedo.

We recap recent wins over Betis, Sevilla, Getafe and Inter, examine the tactical tweaks behind the improvement, and highlight the players stepping up including Giménez’s leadership and Pubill’s emergence.

There’s a full tactical review of what went wrong and then right after key substitutions vs Getafe, plus a deep look at the UCL win vs Inter, Cholo’s first-half gamble, and how Atleti capitalized on Inter’s late-game struggles.

We also dig into the numbers: chance creation, set-piece reliability, attacking predictability and whether this run is sustainable or simply a resilience-driven purple patch.

Finally, we preview Atlético vs Real Oviedo, the likely game script, how Simeone might rotate and the key details Atleti must control to carry this momentum into winter.

This week, Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) and Kelvyn (@kelvynbrown19) dive deep into Atlético Madrid’s international-break reset and look ahead to a tricky away trip at Getafe.

We break down how Simeone used the break to sharpen structure, spacing, and set-piece organisation and which players stand to benefit most. From Atleti’s ongoing away-form issues to the team’s remarkable historical dominance over Getafe, the episode covers the tactical, mental, and statistical storylines surrounding this matchup.

Topics include:
• How the international break became a reset window for transitions, set-plays, and wide-area automations
• Why Atleti continue to struggle away from home
• Simeone’s absurd unbeaten record vs Getafe
• Key battles: controlling Luis Milla, winning second balls, avoiding chaos
• The set-piece crisis at both ends — 90 corners without a goal
• Almada, Baena, Griezmann and the creative blueprint for breaking compact blocks
• What this match could reveal about Atleti’s title credentials

Plus: stats corner, hero & villain of the week, and the bigger picture heading into the post-break run.

Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) and Kelvyn (@Kelvynbrown) talked about:

• A huge off-pitch story: Apollo Sports Capital about to become Atlético’s new majority shareholder, what this means for the club’s structure, and how it could shape the next era of Atleti under Simeone.
• Atlético’s 3–1 win over Levante this week, breaking down how the game shifted once Griezmann came off the bench and why the attack struggled for rhythm early on.

• We got into Baena drifting inside from the left, the congestion it created with Julián Álvarez, Sørloth’s predictable movement, and Atleti’s continuing issues defending and attacking set pieces.
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• We also look at the key numbers from the match: 21 corners with no goals, Griezmann passing Messi for goals scored under a single coach, and Atleti leading LaLiga in goals from substitutes.