QEU Thomas lemar He is a key player in the Atlético team. It is something that is already evident. What perhaps did not seem so clear is the influence it has on the team’s results. His numbers this season prove it. Without focusing on two goals and two assists that adds up to 386 minutes who has played in the League, the presence of Lemar on the field has given the team 14 points out of 18 possible. Based on those numbers alone, Atlético would be the leader with one game less if the French had played all 12 games.
The reality is that this is not the case, so far, he has only completed 50% of league matches. The injuries are slowing down the progression of the most differential soccer player that those of Simeone. We were talking about the 14 points achieved with him on the pitch. Four wins and two draws. One of these draws against Villarreal, where the mattresses gave away perhaps the best minutes of the entire season. The other, before the leader. It was precisely against Real Sociedad that the Frenchman had to leave the field at halftime injured.
But duels without Lemar are more worrying. Two victories, one agonizing against Getafe and the only solvent of the last month, against Betis. The rest, draws and the defeat against Alavés. Nine points in six crashes, little baggage for the current league champion. Figures that would leave the Cholo out even of the positions that give access to Europe. The presence of the French is therefore a differential factor for the rojiblancos.
Now, with his return after missing the last three league games, Atlético recovers the footballer who is capable of joining lines either with his conducts or with his passes. The center of the field and the forward with Lemar are much closer. Not only in that will Atlético win with the return of the Frenchman, with him on the field, the rojiblancos have only conceded four goals. His presence seems key to the team.
In Champions, heads and tails
In Europe it has already left signs of its importance. After retiring injured against Porto, the midfielder was key in the comeback against Milan. He participated in the start of Griezmann’s goal and forced the penalty that gave the team the victory. In front of Liverpool in the Metropolitano he was one of the most prominent of the team making the play of the first mattress goal. At Anfield his absence due to injury was once again a burden for the rojiblancos.
