Small Sided Games

Simeone uses a variety of basic, yet very effective, Small Sided Games (SSG's) to incorporate Atletico's style of play into the team. Building on from the Rondo, we see how it comes together as a whole unit, with the fast changes of pairings having to react to the ball and one another. The defensive unit in the practice must do three main actions:

- Shift
- Slide
- Step (out)
- Screen

When the ball comes into the players zone, they must react by stepping out quickly to press the ball, whilst the players on either side (if the ball is in the middle) must adjust their positions to deny a pass to break the line. We will look at how it strongly correlates to Atleti's organisation, and individual and collective actions in matches. 

You train the way you play.

Realistic?

A result of such a practice displays itself in the picture below. The midfield line has slid across and demonstrates excellent compactness as a line of four, screening off any central passes with appropriate angles of cover. 

In this scenario there is no need for Carrasco (LW) to step out and press, as this retains the compactness of the line. Sevilla have no option but to go long or go back and look to recycle the ball.

Like in the practice, covering players are in ideal positions to screen passes into forward passing options, whilst 2nd defenders are in good positions to intercept any pass that may beat the 1st defender. 

Sliding across is not enough to defend well. There must be aggressive zonal-man tactics in place, just like the Atletico line, to force play away from the center of the pitch- ideally backwards. Once an opponent receives in ones zone, past the line of confrontation set, it is that players' responsibility to step out and press the player with the ball. As we have seen, the rest of the unit respond (cooperate) with that action and narrow off, closing any potential passing lanes.

If the ball breaks the first line (the two Strikers) and an opposing midfield player receives the ball, this is a trigger for Atletico to step out very aggressively to stop a free turn. You will see this in one of the videos below. 

Here, the practice is very similar with the same defensive principles and actions applied. 

How does it look in a match?

This is why you rarely see the Atletico de Madrid midfield line broken with a forward pass. These are staple practice designs for training this discipline and tactical organisation that so strongly represents the identity of this team.