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In this timeline, Atlético Madrid holds one Champions League title.
The team also boasts a €150 million superstar, Lance, along with past-his-prime star Torres, rising star Griezmann, and a group of understated but powerful world-class players.
Theoretically, they have already joined the ranks of giants, at least on par with Chelsea.
However, whilst the starting lineup is world-class, the substitute lineup has a relatively serious gap in quality.
Fighting on three fronts is also a huge test for Atlético Madrid.
On October 22nd, Atlético Madrid had just defeated Benfica 2-0.
Immediately after, on October 24th, they faced La Liga's 9th round: Atlético Madrid vs. Valencia.
"La Liga Round 9 Preview: Atlético Madrid's Rotated Squad Faces Strong Opponent, Barcelona and Real Madrid Have Easy Schedules"
"La Liga's 9th round is about to begin. Currently, Barcelona, at the top of the table, maintains an 8-game winning streak, accumulating 24 points. Atlético Madrid is temporarily second in La Liga, with 7 wins and 1 draw, accumulating 22 points. Real Madrid has 7 wins and 1 draw, also with 22 points, but ranks 3rd in La Liga due to an inferior goal difference."
"Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, Valencia, and other traditional La Liga powerhouses are ranked 5th-7th. In La Liga's 9th round, Real Madrid faces Granada, who are on the verge of the relegation zone. With the main lineup remaining healthy, there is little suspense; 3 points are highly likely to be secured. Barcelona plays against 13th-placed Eibar; the MSN Trio is in excellent form, and experts predict they will easily defeat their opponent."
"Among La Liga's three powerhouses, the only suspense lies in the Atlético Madrid vs. Valencia showdown. Atlético Madrid just finished a Champions League group stage match with their main lineup two days ago. Considering the rotation of key players, the lineup against Valencia might be the most headache-inducing problem for the coaching staff. The fixture schedule is unfavourable for Atlético Madrid's championship ambitions. Can they, trailing by 2 points, successfully grab points and continue to chase Barcelona? Please subscribe and tune into Movistar+!"
The night before the match, the coaching staff was indeed troubled.
The squad list remained the same, but arranging the starting lineup was truly difficult.
If they started the main players, playing two days apart would be too tiring, and their bodies wouldn't be able to handle it.
If they started the substitutes, Valencia wouldn't be so easy to deal with.
One could only say that the La Liga schedule was utterly inhumane.
Simeone looked at the current league standings and the upcoming dense schedule, gritting his teeth.
"Let's try the rotated squad first and see how it goes; they are also very strong and should not have too much trouble against Valencia."
Last season, under Santo, Valencia entered the Champions League group stage after many years.
They invested too much in the Champions League, leading to a poor start in the league.
Having just participated in the Champions League, perhaps they could be caught off guard.
The next day, match day, both sides announced their starting lineups.
Many of Atlético Madrid's core players, such as Griezmann, Lance, Torres, and Saúl, did not start.
In contrast, for Valencia, key players like Mustafi, Cancelo, André Mario Gomes, De Paul, and Paco all started!
Valencia was really giving it their all!
"What do we do? It's too late to adjust the starting lineup now."
Atlético Madrid's assistant coach was a bit worried.
"Don't rush. Let's see how things develop first."
Atlético Madrid, playing at home, was well-rested.
Simeone didn't believe Valencia could be that strong playing two games in a week.
As a result, Simeone was almost taught a lesson.
"As soon as this pivotal La Liga Round 9 match began, Valencia immediately showed powerful attacking momentum!"
"They frequently disrupted Atlético Madrid's rhythm with high pressing, creating opportunities in the final third; look at this shot now!!"
"Paco!! A shot inside the box, saved by goalkeeper Bernabé!"
"Still Valencia's possession! Cancelo charges forward to assist!! Paco!!!! It's a goal!!!"
Commentator scratched his head in frustration.
He had originally thought Atlético Madrid, being stronger, would easily defeat Valencia.
How could Atlético Madrid concede a goal just 7 minutes into the match!
Atlético Madrid's defence was so focused on marking the opponent's central midfielders that they forgot about the overlapping right-back Cancelo.
Cancelo delivered a tricky curved cross, and Paco, rushing in from the centre, headed it in.
Atlético Madrid 0-1 Valencia.
"Damn it!!!"
When the team conceded, Lance also felt frustrated.
When he used to play FIFA's career mode, he actually hoped his team would concede, so he could come on as a saviour and turn the game around.
But reality is not a game, losing in reality can genuinely cost you a championship, and Lance didn't want to take even the slightest risk.
It would be best if his teammates could win the battle and secure 3 points, proving that Atlético Madrid's bench depth was sufficient for multi-front warfare.
Now it seems, Atlético Madrid's bench isn't that deep after all, being left dazed by Valencia.
"Damn it, are they that strong?"
"No choice, their 4-3-3 high pressing is indeed very tricky. Unless a few of us go on and create openings with individual ability, otherwise, it will be very difficult to break through."
For a time, Atlético Madrid was in a stalemate, their midfield and defence constantly harassed by the opponent's forwards, unable to launch counterattacks.
For 10 consecutive minutes, Atlético Madrid couldn't even cross midfield, being pinned back in their own half by Valencia.
Fortunately, Atlético Madrid's defensive genes were still present, and after conceding the first goal, they gradually stabilised the situation.
Moreover, after 30 minutes, Valencia's physical fitness visibly declined, unable to maintain full-field high pressing.
The first half quickly ended, with the score temporarily remaining 0-1.
"Coach, I can actually play."
"No rush, no rush, you rest a bit longer."
Simeone, of course, knew that Lance was a nuclear weapon, and sending him on would surely end the battle.
But Simeone still wanted to give the rotated players on the pitch some opportunities, to assess the young men's ability to handle pressure during the match.
Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?
Once the time was right, he would send Lance on to finish it.
Lance had no choice but to sit on the bench for another 15 minutes.
To be honest, the match was a bit dull, with both sides frequently pressing and battling, possession changing hands many times, and neither able to penetrate dangerous areas.
Yet, Lance couldn't exactly scroll on his phone on the bench, with countless camera lenses looking for him, Lance could only sit upright, diligently observing the situation on the pitch and Valencia's weaknesses.
"Cancelo's flank could indeed be exploited."
The 21-year-old young Portuguese international, the future "world's best right-back," João Cancelo was active in his runs and strong in assisting, assisting the goal in the first half.
But he played with too much excitement, forgetting his defensive duties, and his defensive positioning was like a schoolboy's.
Lance felt it was necessary to teach this young man a lesson.
"In the 70th minute of the second half, Atlético Madrid requests a substitution; Griezmann and Lance are brought on simultaneously! It looks like Atlético Madrid intends to get serious now."
Commentator Duan Xuan quipped.
Without Lance on the pitch, domestic fans already had little interest, and Commentator's commentary was also becoming sleepy.
Only when Lance appeared did he perk up.
He truly was a super sub!
As soon as Lance stepped onto the pitch, Atlético Madrid's offence instantly improved by several levels!
"Beautiful!! Lance's first touch and turn!! Accelerates with the ball, he's past him!! A feint and past another player!! De Paul!! Couldn't stop him!"
Lance dribbled past 3 players in the centre, igniting wild cheers from the home fans.
He casually sent a diagonal pass with the outside of his left foot, aiming directly for the open space on the left.
Cancelo had gone up to assist and couldn't get back in time, Griezmann easily broke into the box, attracting defenders' attention before cutting it back to the penalty spot.
Lance arrived just in time!
"Lance!!! This is it!! Just 6 minutes after coming on, Lance helps Atlético Madrid equalise!"
That's more like it!
Commentator knew without a doubt, as long as Lance was on the pitch, Atlético Madrid was definitely going to win!
Sure enough, just 3 minutes later, precisely during Valencia's physical bottleneck period, Atlético Madrid seized another counterattack opportunity!
Koke threaded a pass to Lance, Lance and Griezmann combined skilfully on the left, a 2v1 wall pass, outwitting Cancelo, and Lance cut into the box, passing it across to the other side!
"Saúl!!! It's in, the ball is in!!"
"2-1, Lance assists his teammate to score, and Atlético Madrid successfully completes the comeback!"
Only then, did Simeone relax, leaning back in his seat with his legs crossed.
"3 points secured!"