Atlético Madrid's Strategic Ins and Outs for the 2024–25 Season
Atlético Madrid has been undergoing some major changes when it comes to rebuilding the squad this season. And this is all due to the sporting direct, Andrea Berta, who has taken this in hand. When this happens, there are various recruitment strategies in place, which will help to shape the long-term ambitions of this club.
The Tactics of Andrea Berta
Berta has long been a key figure in European football. And, for the last decade, has been an instrumental part of Atlético Madrid's success. He was appointed the sporting director back in 2017 and has been credited with transforming the way the club approaches its recruitment processes. To be specific, Berta really focuses on careful planning, using data to drive decision-making and ensuring he understands the market trends with different players and footballers.
Importantly, he has a strategy that takes into consideration the identifying of undervalue talents. He then takes these lesser-known players and integrates them into the overall team structure. Doing so has helped the club retain its competitive edge throughout the years. He has an impressive talent for spotting player potential, often in players that others overlook. And then he is able to turn them into major assets for the club at a fraction of the cost.
This commitment to excellence is also reflected in the influence of Fernando Torres, a club legend who now plays a key role in Atlético Madrid’s coaching setup. His deep understanding of the club’s philosophy and his dedication to developing future talent further reinforce the team’s long-term vision. His passion for the sport extends beyond the field, as he also serves as the brand ambassador for AW8 online casino, connecting fans with engaging football-related experiences.m
Additionally, as part of his careful data analyse, Berta specifically make sure that he builds a fully rounded squad. Rather than filling the gaps as some directors do, he aims to keep building the team, creating a depth to the squad that's sustainable over time. This careful planning and strategy was used to great effect in the latest transfer window.
Struggling in the Previous Season
The team has not been consistently successful though. From the 2023 to 2024 season, the team had a lot of weaknesses that needed to be fixed. Ball progression, subpar ball-plying skills and a heavy reliance on key players who are good at ball advancement. Unfortunately, another issue was that their free man play for possession was exposed in strong opposition marking, making many tactical plays obsolete.
Previous key players have also lost some of their form. And with previous reliance on these players, the team was unable to fill the shortfall, leading to them being somewhat of a liability. It also meant that the squad's game play was rather predictable, so they were easy to defend against during games.
Changes for 2024 to 2025
For this new season, massive changes are in place. The summer window was used to make huge changes for the defensive core of the team. Many major names were let go, including Mario Hermoso, Gabriel Paulista and Sefan Savic. In their place, new players were signed, including Robin Le Normand. This well-rounded defender is more physical than the players that were let go, particularly in comparison to Hermoso. Not only that, but Le Normand has considerable game-time experience, playing in La Liga since 2019.
In the midfield, there are signs of ageing, and if this is to be changed, it needs doing as soon as possible. With Koke in his mid 30s, there is urgent need for new players to rise and take over the covering role on the pitch. Conor Gallagher is the prize here, and with just under four tackles on average, he looks like a strong option to bring some freshness to the squad. Additionally, Javi Serrano is a strong contender to move between the first team and Atleti B.
Finally, the attacking line-up has been revamped as well, with major players such a Morata and Memphis Depay leaving. This freshens up the attacking options and allowed the club to bring in Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth, who have strong qualities for a more tactical game. Between them, these two players are versatile, offer clinical finishes, and have strong physical presences to bring to the team.
With all these changes, Atletico Madrid aims to be a new side. But, it could all be the end, as Berta is likely to move to Arsenal very soon.