The key to Atletico Madrid's defensive solidity

The elegant defensive midfielder has drawn comparisons with Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, but for all his ability on the ball, it is his defensive diligence that Atleti appear to miss when he does not feature.

Only high-flying Alavés (four) have conceded fewer goals than Atletico's tally of five in LaLiga so far this season, but what is interesting it that all of those efforts have come when Rodri has not been on the pitch.

That streak started on the opening weekend of the season against Valencia, with Rodrigo finding the net for Valencia as Rodri remained an unused substitute.

The Spanish international also watched from the sidelines in Balaídos as Celta Vigo put two past a ten-man Atletico, with Iago Aspas and Maxi Gómez condemning the Colchoneros to their only league defeat of the season so far.

The 22-year-old was handed a start against Eibar, but he made way in with 70 minutes gone. The Basque minnows then stunned their higher profile neighbours by taking the lead through Sergi Enrich in the 87th minute, only for academy graduate Borja Garcés to rescue the hosts a point deep into added time.

The same thing happened against Villarreal last time out at the Cerñamica, with Mario Gaspar netting for the Yellow Submarine 20 minutes after the strapping midfielder was given the hook.

It could just be a coincidence that Atletico only concede when Rodri is not playing, but we don't believe in coincidences.