What Trippier's absence means for Atletico's title push

 

Today is a day of mixed emotions for Atletico Madrid. December 23rd marks nine years since Diego Simeone was named head coach of Los Colchoneros and they have established themselves as a dominant force in Spain and Europe under the watchful eye of the Argentine. 

 

However, as fans toast El Cholo's success in the Spanish capital, today was one of mixed emotions as it emerged that Kieran Trippier has been handed a 10-week worldwide football ban after a Football Association panel found he broke betting rules. The offences occurred during July 2019 when he joined Atletico from Tottenham. 

 

The England international endured an indifferent debut campaign in the Spanish captial, featuring in 25 league games, registering four assists to help return a WhoScored rating of 6.99. In 2020/21, though, Trippier has become a mainstay in the Atletico XI, with his first season in Spain a settling in period for the former Spurs man. 

 

Indeed, Trippier is, along with Jan Oblak, one of two Atletico stars to have played every minute under Simeone in LaLiga this season in their push for top spot. The title contenders lead the way in Spain's top tier by three points, though city rivals Real Madrid take on Granada tonight and victory would see Los Blancos move level on 32 points with Atleti, albeit having played two more games. 

 

 

However, Trippier will now miss the next 12 competitive matches for Simeone's side, culminating in the Champions League first leg meeting with Chelsea in February, returning in time for league clashes with Villarreal and Real Madrid. Trippier's absence, though, is very much a blow for Atletico in their title push. The 30-year-old has garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.28 this season, that enough to rank better than any other Atleti player, and secure a place in the LaLiga team of the season so far. 

 

Simeone's decision to move to a three-man defence in recent weeks has allowed Trippier to flourish in the final third with his four assists the fourth best return in Spain's top tier this season, matching his return from last season despite playing just 13 matches this term. In addition, Trippier is free to maximise his strength of 'crossing' closer to the opposition goal, safe in the knowledge he has defensive reinforcements to mop up behind him and it has seen him return a cross success rate of 32.6%, that the eighth best of the 60 players to have attempted 30 or more crosses in LaLiga. 

 

Despite being afforded the opportunity to maximise his attacking qualities where possible due to the change in setup by Simeone, Trippier is still prepared to put in the hard graft to help Atletico. The Mattress Makers have conceded at least five fewer goals (5) than any other side in LaLiga this season, at a rate of 0.38 per game, that an exceptional record. Trippier has put in the yards out of possession having made more tackles and interceptions combined (46) than any other Atletico player this season, that already just 30 short of his return last season, which will have appeased Simeone and the fans. 

 

Yet Atletico must make do without Trippier for 10 league matches now and his absence will undoubtedly impact their title charge with Simeone robbed of one of his key attacking outlets. Trippier is responsible for 10.5% of Atletico's 114 key passes and 15.4% of their 26 big chances created in LaLiga while in his absence, the Spanish side face every side from sixth through to 10th at the time of writing, which will very much hinder their push for domestic glory. 

 

The issue now is how does Simeone counter the absence of the English right-back. Trippier has played every minute in LaLiga and the Champions League this season, with youngster Ricard Sanchez starting the recent Copa Del Rey win over CE Cardassar. Injury prone Sime Vrsaljko, the senior stand in for Trippier, has only registered 15 minutes of competitive action for Atletico this season, that coming as Sanchez's replacement in the aforementioned cup game. 

 

A lack of game time for any adequate stand in for Trippier will undoubtedly lessen their chances of success as whoever does come in for the former Spurs man, be it Sanchez or Vrsaljko, will need to quickly get up to speed with the demands of the senior squad in a new setup that is likely to leave Atletico exposed down their right flank, both defensively and offensively.

What Trippier's absence means for Atletico's title push