Artem Dobvyk to Atletico Madrid: How will the Ukrainian striker fit under Simeone’s system?

New Delhi: Atletico Madrid’s signing of Artem Dobvyk from Girona has been confirmed. Alvaro Morata’s departure meant that Diego Simeone needed a new number nine, and now they have found the perfect replacement in Artem Dobvyk. The Madrid team was taken aback by the striker’s unexpected decision to part ways with the Spanish international, but they have made up for it in the previous few hours.

Artem Dovbyk has been selected to be Diego Pablo Simeone’s new number nine. After applying pressure to the Ukrainian striker in recent days, the Madrid team has now received the player’s approval. The striker has actually already informed Girona that he wishes to join Atletico Madrid so that talks can begin as soon as possible and he may play in the preseason for the Colchoneros.

🚨🔴⚪️ Atlético Madrid are closing in on deal to sign Artem Dovbyk from Girona.

Final details being sorted on payment structure to match €40m release clause then agreement sealed.

Dovbyk has already agreed on personal terms, ready to move.

Here we go, soon ⏳🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/MNnQ7wVRIP

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 23, 2024

Atletico Madrid have decided to activate their striker’s 40 million euro release clause, which Girona are unwilling to accept since they want to pay a portion of the 40 million euros in installments. The Ukrainian striker had a wonderful season with Girona, clinching the Laliga top scorer award with 24 goals. He was Girona’s main man who had a massive contribution to their success last season, helping the club to clinch the UEFA Champions League spot for the very first time in their history.

Diego Simeone’s classic tactic for Atletico

Diego Simeone has been leading the Atletico side for more than a decade now, and the veteran coach has had his ups and downs at the club. However, he has remained loyal to the classic 4-4-2 formation, ever since he won the title back in 2020-21 season. Since their most recent championship-winning campaign, Atlético Madrid abstain from using a 4-4-2 formation solely. Simeone and his team grew to be associated with the 4-4-2 formation in a similar manner to how Pep Guardiola has adapted to the 4-3-3 tactic.

Although neither created the formations, both have been championed with their favorite forms. Most likely, the Atléti coach comes to mind when you think about 4-4-2. But starting in 2020, Simeone started to add a little more structural flexibility to his team. He started by consistently introducing the 3-5-2. In the previous season, when Atlético Madrid won the championship, the 3-5-2 was more frequently utilized than the 4-4-2.

Recently, the seasoned coach selected a 4-1-4-1 against Real Valladolid in a 3-0 triumph, but in the Madrid Derby, he went with the traditional 4-4-2. In the meanwhile, the players started in a 3-5-2 formation during the surprising 6-1 thrashing of Sevilla at the beginning of March. However,

‘Simeone-ball’ at Metropolitano

Diego Simeone is well known for his defensive style of play and over the years he has established himself as a typical classic defensive tactician. However, when it comes to attacking tactics, Simeone heavily relies on counter-attacks and long balls from the back. Last season, Simeone followed the 4-4-2 formation in the majority of the games, where he was able to form a wonderful partnership between Antoine Griezmann, and Alvaro Morata, who is now being replaced by Artem Dobvyk.

The duo had a total of 21 league goals in between them, as they turned out to be a massive factor for Simeone’s side. However, when it comes to defense, Atletico Madrid is not a passive team. Simeone wants his team to remain aggressive and on the front foot at all times, controlling the opposition’s space and winning it back as soon as possible to move ahead. If this is a subjective assessment, there is still no team in the world that can hit an opponent on the break better than Atlético.

The players who are furthest up the pitch try to close the distance as soon as Simeone’s team regains control. Moving forward is always the best initial pass. Practically, the entirety of Simeone’s tenure, Atletico Madrid’s ability to transition swiftly from the defensive to the attacking phases remains one of the team’s primary assets. The Spanish team may advance up the field in a matter of seconds, regardless of the height of their defensive block and the height at which the ball was won back.

Artem Dobvyk’s involvement

Artem Dobvyk’s move to Atletico Madrid looks imminent as the Colchoneros found the perfect replacement for Alvaro Morata after his departure last week. Dobvyk is fresh off a successful Laliga season where the Ukrainian scored a total of 24 goals and was the Laliga top scorer. His physicality and finishing make him a deadly poacher with a lethal left foot and a nose for goal. His playing style suits Simeone’s tactics, with the Argentine demanding physicality and ability to hold the ball.

Dobvyk possesses exceptional holding strength and his finishing is considered to be one of the very best in Europe. Simeone’s 4-4-2 formation might involve Griezmann and Dobvyk forming a partnership up front where the Ukranian would shift as a centre forward and it will be Griezmann who would shift in behind to play as a second striker. Moreover, Simeone won’t be willing to change his formation as his main aim was to replace Morata after his departure. Dobvyk would prove handy in their counter-attacks with his physicality and he needs to adapt to this new style of play, where he will get assistance from a very experienced and talented Antoine Griezmann.

 Artem Dobvyk looks set to join Atletico Madrid as the Colchoneros feel they have found the replacement for their departing striker Alvaro Morata. So can Dobvyk fit in Atletico’s system?  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today