With Atlético you never know. After losing in the first match of the Asian tour to a selection of Korean players chosen by the fans, Simeone's team resurfaced with a prestigious victory in Seoul against European champions Manchester City, knocked out by two goals from Depay and Carrasco in the second half, when the massive changes had already drawn another game, which was tightened at the end with a goal from Rubén Dias for the final (1-2).
Until the final stretch the clash was close, with occasional droppers. The game had no less than nineteen substitutions, seventeen of them in five minutes. The duel began half an hour late due to an impressive storm that broke out over the stadium.
Simeone recovered the Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who had not played since last April, and brought the Turkish Caglar Soyunku into the defense, a substitute for Stefan Savic, suffering from gastroenteritis. El Cholo started with a five-man defense, with Azpilicueta and Samu Lino on the wings and with three central defenders: Mario Hermoso, Soyunku and Axel Witsel. And a midfield with Rodrigo de Paul, Koke and Thomas Lemar. The offensive responsibility went to Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata. There was no news from Joao Felix, outside of the appointment, waiting to find a destination.
At City Guardiola he gave the first start to both Erling Haaland and Rodri. The English team came out dominating at the start, but had no clear chances except for long shots from Phil Foden or Jack Grealish. As soon as Simeone's team assimilated the situation, the game opened up and Simeone's men had their chances due to the agitation caused by his Samuel Lino band.
Before the exchange carousel Kyle Walker finished off the crossbar. Pep Guardiola changed eight players almost at once and shortly after Simeone did the same. It was a new match. In minute 67 he scored with a kick from the half moon Memphis Depay, who had entered the field instead of Griezmann. Marcos Llorente was a nightmare for the English and Atlético struck again through Carrasco in minute 73. Rubén Dias, in minute 85, headed into the net a corner kick taken by Sergi Gómez and put the final 1-2. Atlético recovers sensations.
