Atletico Madrid have become one of the most recognisable and successful teams in the European game over the last half-decade, with plenty of success and acclaim coming their way since Diego Simeone took charge.

As a result, the players in the squad have become more sought-after in the transfer market and more renowned for their exploits in La Liga and the Champions League.

There is an alternative side to football, though, where reputation at times lags behind the reality of ever-changing form and ability: The gaming world.

This year’s FIFA 16 perhaps embodies that, with a number of Atletico‘s younger players not quite seeming to be as highly rated as they might be, including Saul Niguez and Angel Correa—but centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez has had the biggest injustice meted out to him.

Key Attributes

Forgetting individual styles of play for a moment, there are certain key metrics which central defenders, anywhere, will be defined by: Tackling, heading ability, physical strength and their reading of the game. For Gimenez, many of those are exactly where he excels when donning the red-and-white stripes of Atletico Madrid.

His heading, certainly, is a demand which is almost a minimum requirement at Atleti, who are happy to engage in trench warfare at times and invite teams to try and bomb the penalty area with crosses from wide, deliveries from deep, set pieces from anywhere—Gimenez and partner Diego Godin will be backed to repel it all.

In addition, he has already—more than once—proven himself one of the bravest and most committed defenders in La Liga, something requiring both agility and good awareness to sudden changes of play as well as tackling or blocking ability.

Super vine of that amazing diving-head block by Atletico CB Gimenez: https://t.co/hlbYsL16jL [via @tjcope ]

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 21, 2015

Those basics of defending are sometimes overlooked at the top end of the game, but it’s fair to say that’s not the case with Atleti‘s chosen pairing.

Fitting the System

Looking at the playing style of Gimenez and the tactics employed on a regular basis by Simeone, it’s not hard to see why the manager has put his faith in the 20-year-old.

Atleti are happy to defend first and worry about winning the game once they have control of their opponents. The Uruguay international has watched on for a year and more as Godin and Miranda, his former defensive partner, did that job before eventually working himself into the equation last season.

A young, progressive defender who has shown great reliability in the role and a willingness to take on responsibility, Gimenez has saved Atleti millions in finding a replacement centre-back—and, in a few years, will doubtless earn them many more millions once they opt to sell him. It’s Atletico‘s modus operandi, and Gimenez will in time be seen as one of their biggest successes, both on the pitch and in the accounts books.

He’s already one of La Liga’s better defenders—of any age—and an entire season in the spotlight will prove exactly that.

Comparisons

The first and most obvious comparisons to make for Gimenez are with his own team-mates. While it might be understandable that he ranks below compatriot Godin, who is more experienced and one of the world’s finest when on top form, new club-mate Stefan Savic is a different matter.

The former Fiorentina man, who arrived at the Vicente Calderon this summer for €10 million plus Mario Suarez, has barely been able to get a look-in this season thanks to the ability and form of Gimenez.

Of course, Simeone rarely puts new players in just because they cost money or are new faces, but even so there is a clear disparity between Savic and Gimenez in style, reliability and overall ability right now. However, it is Savic who is more highly rated (81) overall, at least in the gaming world.

Looking beyond the confines of Atletico Madrid, most avid watchers of La Liga would agree there is not a huge difference in ability and consistency (although there certainly is a large difference in style terms) between another standout young centre-back in Spain’s capital: Raphael Varane of Real Madrid.

While Gimenez was perhaps a year and a half later than Varane in really establishing himself as a first-team option, the Uruguayan’s ascension has been rapid.

Varane, 22, enjoys an even bigger gap (82) than Savic does to the South American, while Miranda, who is now at Inter Milan, enjoys a higher rating (84) still.

All told, Gimenez is perhaps one of the key names who has been somewhat overlooked in FIFA 16, but a full season as first-pick in a team which challenges for major honours will doubtless change all that.

Follow @karlmatchett

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After all the promise and investment of pre-season, the first seven fixtures of the 2015/16 Serie A campaign have brought Sinisa Mihajlovic’s Milan back down to earth with a bang.

Their 4-0 loss to Napoli last Sunday evening was the most humiliating of the four league defeats Milan have suffered so far, suggesting that the team may in fact be going backwards rather than forwards under their new coach.

If ever there was a clear signal that a tactical system isn’t working, the loss to Napoli was it. Mihajlovic has stuck rigidly by his favoured 4-3-1-2 formation since he took over at San Siro, but now is the time to begin considering alternatives.

Here we analyse three different formations that Mihajlovic may consider using with Milan going forward, including brief summaries of each system, examples of other Serie A teams that use them, and illustrations of how each system could work for Milan.

4-2-3-1

Working Example: Napoli (2014/15 Season)

The 4-2-3-1 is not one of the most utilised tactical systems in Serie A. While several of Italian football’s top teams have used it in certain games or situations, it has little longevity.

The most obvious recent example of it being used by one team on a consistent basis was Rafa Benitez’s Napoli, who lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape in almost every game, while others such as Inter Milan and Fiorentina dabbled with the system briefly last season.

System Summary

The 4-2-3-1 is often an expansive, attacking system. Two central-midfield pivots shield a back four, while there is traditionally at least one trequartista in the central hole between the striker and the two pivots.

Many teams play two wingers on either side, though the nature of these wingers can vary. Some teams use a pair of inverted wingers, some use orthodox wingers that hug the touchline, while some use one of each.

It is also an option for the “3” in this system to be comprised of a trio of attacking midfielders that interchange with one another and the striker.

How Could It Work for Milan?

Milan have been using a back four for a long time. Current head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic prefers the four-man defence, as did his predecessor Filippo Inzaghi, so switching to a 4-2-3-1 system would require no drastic change in the structure of the defensive line.

Instead, the changes would come in midfield and attack. Mihajlovic has been using three central midfielders and two strikers, while the 4-2-3-1 calls for two central midfielders and one striker.

The central midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 tend to be pivots capable of guarding defence, preventing opposition attacks and starting attacks of their own. Thus, they require a combination of defensive nous and technical quality.

While most of Milan’s central midfielders have one of these qualities, few—if any at all—possess both.

Mihajlovic would also have a headache fitting Mario Balotelli, Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca into this system given its requirement for one striker.

Bacca’s accurate finishing, work ethic and intelligent movement around the penalty area make him the optimal candidate of the three to spearhead the line and take the chances created by an attacking midfield trident.

One positive of this formation is that it would allow Milan to make use of the multiple attacking-midfield and wide options that are available to them, including Jeremy Menez and M’Baye Niang once both are fully fit.

4-3-3 

Working Example: Napoli (2015/16 season)

The 4-3-3 system is what Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri reverted to, having watched his side concede unnecessary goals and drop winnable points early on this season.

Since the change, his side have looked unstoppable, winning five of their last six games in all competitions, including a 4-0 humiliation of Milan.

Other teams to use the 4-3-3 on a consistent basis include Roma, Lazio and Sassuolo, all of whom have been fairly successful with the system.

System Summary

Formations, being the fluid concepts that they are, are often imprecise. The 4-3-3 is a good example of how difficult it can be to pinpoint which particular formation a team is using, given how close it is to the 4-5-1.

The distinction can be made that the 4-5-1 is a more defensive take on the 4-3-3, with the wingers dropping slightly deeper when in the defensive phase in the former than they do in the latter.

The 4-3-3 can take several different directions in attack. While traditionally it will see one centre-forward accompanied by two wide forwards, there is also the option of using a false nine accompanied by inverted wingers, or a target man supported by two traditional wingers.

How Could It Work for Milan?

Most of the alterations that Milan would need to make if switching to a 4-3-3 would come in attack, as the back four and midfield three would remain from their current 4-3-1-2 formation.

Mihajlovic may be tempted to field all three of his best strikers in a very offensive system, though a more practical choice would see Balotelli chosen to lead this particular line, using his strength, skill and underrated hold-up play to bring the central midfielders and wide attackers into the game.

Looking at the way Napoli play as a good example of the 4-3-3, Milan could use one inverted winger and one wide forward on either side of Balotelli.

M’Baye Niang, when fit, would be a decent choice as the more direct wide option with his pace, while either of Giacomo Bonaventura or Menez could play the role of inverted winger to the left of Balotelli, cutting in onto their favoured right foot to link up and create.

3-5-2

Working Example: Torino

Giampiero Ventura’s Torino make good use of the 3-5-2 system and have done for several years since their promotion from Serie B. Reigning champions and fellow Turin club Juventus also used this system regularly under both Massimiliano Allegri and former coach Antonio Conte.

System Summary

The 3-5-2 is, generally speaking, set up by reactive teams looking to counter-attack stronger opposition.

Making use of wing-backs whose job is to patrol the entirety of their flank in both defence and attack, the system gets rid of wingers and instead finds space for three central defenders and three central midfielders.

Depending on the aims and nature of the team using it, the system can become a 3-4-1-2, with one of the central midfielders being replaced by a trequartista to link the midfield to the strike force.

How Could It Work for Milan?

Milan lack quality central-defensive options, so the 3-5-2 would give them the potentially invaluable opportunity to make up for that deficiency with quantity by fielding Alessio Romagnoli, Cristian Zapata and Rodrigo Ely together in a back three.

Of course, this change would require intensive retraining to ensure that all three—who are accustomed to playing in a central-defensive two as part of a back four—are not confused by the system, something that would only worsen Milan’s defensive organisation.

Using wing-backs would allow Milan to get the best out of Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonelli, both of whom enjoy bombing down the touchline to provide attacking options. 

This system could also allow Mihajlovic to persist with a front two, perhaps of Balotelli and Bacca, possibly backed up by Giacomo Bonaventura in the trequartista role.

Which System Should Mihajlovic Pick?

The 4-2-3-1 may be slightly too expansive for a side as defensively vulnerable as Mihajlovic’s Milan are right now, while the 3-5-2 may be too complex a change for Milan’s defenders to handle at a time when the Rossoneri are in desperate need of wins.

The recommended best option of the aforementioned formations would thus be the 4-3-3. This would allow Mihajlovic to retain the same structure in defence and midfield, while offering greater width and freeing up the likes of Bonaventura to create in the final third.

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Mauro Icardi has caused controversy by firing his agent of ten years, and instead allegedly passed responsibility of his business dealings on to his model wife, Wanda Nara.

Abian Moreno, Icardi‘s long-term agent, revealed to Radio Uno that his contract with the Inter Milan striker had not been renewed.

Though neither Icardi nor Nara have publicly commented on the news, the latter has all but confirmed the rumours by sharing articles on the subject via Twitter.

The couple have attracted controversy in the past, getting together after Nara’s divorce from Icardi‘s former Sampdoria teammate Diego Lopez.

[h/t goal.com]

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has revealed the one thing that would cause him to walk out on the club for a second time—losing the trust of his players.

So report Neil Ashton and Matt Barlow for the Daily Mail, who shared the Portuguese manager’s remarkable post-match interview with Sky Sports following the Blues’ 3-1 defeat to Southampton.

Mourinho said:

Go straight to the players. If they tell you they don’t trust me, it is the only thing that can make me resign.

Ask the players. Don’t go with fake sources, the player’s told a friend and the friend’s told the agent and the agent is not happy because I don’t play his player.

Fortunately for Mourinho, captain John Terry insists he has the faith of the players despite the defender being dropped for significant portions of the current campaign.

The 34-year-old told Chelsea’s official website:

We have a big group of players and we have the best manager who we remain behind and we remain together. That is what you do in tough circumstances.

I have been here a long time and I have seen managers come and go and if anyone is going to get us out of this hole it is going to be Jose Mourinho.

The club currently reside in the unfamiliar territory of 16th in the Premier League table having won just two games all season.

Chelsea have already lost four matches—more than in the entirety of last season’s title-winning campaign—out of their first eight, including two at Stamford Bridge, formerly a fortress under Mourinho in the Premier League.

In sharp contrast to last season, when they boasted the meanest defence in the league with just 32 goals conceded, the Blues have already shipped 17—more than half of that total and better only than Sunderland.

The spell is comfortably the most difficult in Mourinho’s trophy-laden managerial career, in which he has tasted great success at Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid as well as Chelsea.

Talented and successful as he is, the 52-year-old is firmly treading on new ground here and it’s possible his lack of experience in dealing with situations such as this is hindering his attempts to push his side back up the table.

Tactically at least, it’s difficult to pinpoint the root of the problem as he is using the same 4-2-3-1 system that won them the title last season with largely the same personnel.

Simply, almost every single one of their players is significantly under-performing. Eden Hazard has looked a shadow of his former self and is yet to score this season, while Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic have left the defence horribly exposed.

Completely vulnerable, the likes of Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, 31, have looked their age and the whole back line has made a catalogue of errors.

If Mourinho is true to his word, he still has plenty of time to steady the ship before the players lose trust in him though, as his previously unblemished record warrants patience in the face of a bad two months.

That said, if he can’t right things sooner rather than later, owner Roman Abramovich could make the decision for him.

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Sampdoria midfielder Joaquin Correa may have earned himself a place in blooper videos for years to come after missing an open goal from a matter of yards in Sunday’s Serie A clash with Inter Milan.

The chance presented itself when Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic partially saved Correa‘s initial, only for the ball to present itself back to the striker with the ‘keeper out of the way, three yards from goal.

But with the goal gaping, Correa somehow managed to screw his shot wide. Cue head in hands.

[Twitter: @inter_latino]

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Juventus released a statement on Tuesday night condemning the actions of Martin Caceres after the Uruguayan defender was caught allegedly drink-driving.

“The conduct of Martin Caceres on the night of 28 September represents gross violation of his responsibilities as a Juventus player, as well as damaging the image of the club,” Juventus wrote on its English language website.

Juve also stated Caceres will also be suspended and fined by the club.

According to Italian wire service ANSA (h/t BBC Sport), Caceres crashed his Ferrari into multiple parked cars and a bus stop while driving through Turin, Italy. Authorities then tested his blood-alcohol level, which registered over the legal limit.    

BBC Sport shared photos from the scene of Caceres’ accident:

His agent, former footballer Daniel Fonseca, denied he was drunk at the time of the wreck.

“It was a dinner between friends, they drank a toast and had some champagne. All it takes is a glass of alcohol to go over the limit,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia). “Martin was not drunk and anyone who knows him will realise that. Having said that, he made a mistake, he should’ve got a taxi and it would’ve ended there.”

The 28-year-old will miss Juventus’ Champions League clash with Sevilla on Wednesday as a result of his suspension. The club has yet to say one way or the other whether he’ll be available to play against Inter Milan on 18 October, which will be a big match for the reigning Serie A champions. 

Given the fact Juve have taken just five points from their first six matches, Caceres’ suspension and subsequent legal issues are added distractions they don’t need at the moment.

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