Having survived relegation in last year’s Brasileirão by the skin of their teeth, o Dragão will not be expecting miracles this year. Last season, having spent the majority of the year in the relegation zone (for ten rounds they occupied 20th place), they managed to secure survival on the last day, holding Vitória to a 0-0 draw. That stalemate sent their opponents down to Série B and left Atlético in 16th place by virtue of having two more victories than Vitória (which is funnily enough the Portuguese word for victory…). Since then, Atlético-GO won the 2011 edition of a scandalously poor Goianiense state championship, defeating their fierce city rivals Goias over two legs in the final.
They do not appear to have strengthened much since last season, in fact they have lost several first team players. Their top scorer, attacking midfielder Elias, joined Al-Ain in the UAE, and volante Robston has moved south to join Atlético Paranaense. However they have managed to hang on to some important and experienced players in their squad, but their alarming lack of experience and talent could leave them in serious trouble this season. Goalkeeper Márcio is a favourite of mine, a great shot-stopper, commanding in his area, and he takes a mean penalty kick. Up at the other end of the park, Elias may have left, but 190cm tall goal-machine Marcão still remains.
They key to their survival will come from forming a team that is hard to beat. Their formation looks good on paper, three strong and effective volantes (defensive midfielders), with the more creative Anailson in front, supplying a front two of target man Marcão, and support strikers Felipe or Juninho.
Expected Formation:
They do not appear to have strengthened much since last season, in fact they have lost several first team players. Their top scorer, attacking midfielder Elias, joined Al-Ain in the UAE, and volante Robston has moved south to join Atlético Paranaense. However they have managed to hang on to some important and experienced players in their squad, but their alarming lack of experience and talent could leave them in serious trouble this season. Goalkeeper Márcio is a favourite of mine, a great shot-stopper, commanding in his area, and he takes a mean penalty kick. Up at the other end of the park, Elias may have left, but 190cm tall goal-machine Marcão still remains.
They key to their survival will come from forming a team that is hard to beat. Their formation looks good on paper, three strong and effective volantes (defensive midfielders), with the more creative Anailson in front, supplying a front two of target man Marcão, and support strikers Felipe or Juninho.
Expected Formation:
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