Atlético de Madrid delivered at home and secured an important 2-0 victory against the always challenging Mallorca. The red-and-whites, after Real Madrid's defeat, are now one point behind the whites, having to play against them in the next match. In his analysis, Kiko Narváez highlighted the team's defensive performance, focusing especially on the great performance of Clément Lenglet and Robin Le Normand.
Lenglet and Le Normand, the key in defense
The former red-and-white player and AS analyst emphasized that Atlético played with "balance without the ball and verticality with it," a formula that allowed them to overcome Mallorca without major scares. But beyond the attack, Kiko wanted to focus on the defense, highlighting the center-backs as key pieces in the victory.
"If in most of my articles I always focus on the creative people, this time I'm going to stop the ball to look back. Once again, the center-backs were spectacular," Kiko explained. In particular, he highlighted Le Normand's anticipation, whose recovery in the play of the first goal allowed Giuliano Simeone to assist Samu Lino to open the scoring.
Lenglet, a defender with "two in one"
However, Kiko's highest praise was for Lenglet, who has been earning a permanent spot in the colchonero defense after an irregular start. "Alongside him, Lenglet, a player who, quietly and by cutting, is vying for the club to make an effort to keep him next season," he stated.
The Frenchman, on loan from Barcelona, arrived at Atlético de Madrid as a temporary solution, but his performance is making the sports management seriously consider his continuity. "It's no longer just that ball exit that facilitates the work of midfielders and forwards. It's his cunning when it comes to stealing and unsettling the opponent. With the Frenchman, we've found a package of two center-backs in one: steal and give it to you in advantage," Kiko concluded.
With this level of performance, Lenglet and Le Normand have become a reliable defensive pair for Simeone, just at the key moment of the season. Now, with the Madrid classic on the horizon, Atlético hopes their defensive solidity will be key to achieving another victory at Santiago Bernabéu.