They discuss Atleti’s approach in possession during the first half and how they were able to play around and through Málaga’s block, before looking at how Málaga exploited some of the same weaknesses we saw during pre-season and how Cholo Simeone adapted.

We also got into the second-half substitutions, including the impact of Kang-in Lee, and how the changes helped Atleti find another level and change the game.

Plus, a quick look ahead to this weekend’s Villarreal game, what we’re expecting from Atleti, score predictions, and more.

In Episode 20, we talk about what's happened in LaLiga so far, look back at some nostalgia from Málaga, Deportivo and Racing being promoted, and then look ahead to Atlético's opening game.

We discuss what we expect from Simeone's side, how the new-look attack could function, and the key tactical battles to watch.

We also take a closer look at Málaga, their promotion campaign, their style under Juanfran Funes, and the players Atlético need to keep an eye on especially Chupe after his 25-goal season.

Can Atlético start the new campaign with a convincing performance and three points?

Let's go partido a partido.

In this 2026/27 season preview, Emmanuel Lavogez and Kelvyn Brown look at Atlético’s summer transfer window, the Julián Álvarez saga, and what the arrivals and departures tell us about Diego Simeone’s plans.

We also dive into Simeone’s preseason experiments with a back five, the 5-4-1 and 5-3-2, the box midfield, and what these changes could mean for Atlético’s attack, midfield and defence.

We discuss the importance of players such as Pablo Barrios, Johnny Cardoso, Thomas Lemar and Álex Baena, while also considering the impact of the World Cup, squad cohesion and Atlético’s challenging start to the season.

Can Atlético challenge for LaLiga? How far can they go in the Champions League? And what version of Simeone’s Atlético will we see in 2026/27?

Listen to ThePaPPod as we look ahead to the season.

1. Who is Kang-in Lee?
2. What makes him special?
3. And where does he fit at Atlético Madrid?

We take a closer look at his journey, his profile as a player, what he brings to Diego Simeone’s side, and the different ways he could be used in Atlético’s system.

We discuss how Diego Simeone's team evolved throughout the campaign, moving towards a more possession-based and attacking style, and whether those changes came at the cost of some of the defensive solidity that defined Atlético for so many years. We also look at the recurring issues that hurt the team in key moments, including defending transitions, set-piece problems, and the tendency to lose control of games after taking the lead.

The episode also highlights the players who shaped the season. From Antoine Griezmann's final campaign in red and white to Julián Alvarez's growing influence, the importance of Marcos Llorente and Juan Musso, the impact of David Hancko and Marc Pubill, and the injuries that disrupted Pablo Barrios and Johnny Cardoso's seasons.

We finish by looking ahead to the future. How do Atlético replace a player like Griezmann? Which areas of the squad still need strengthening? Which young players are ready to take on bigger roles? And can this team take the final step and become genuine title contenders again in 2026/27?

We review the Copa del Rey Final in detail and also analyse the Champions League Semi-Final against Arsenal, including Diego Simeone’s game management and the substitutions that saw Atleti lose control after a strong start to the second half.

The episode also covers the recent LaLiga run against Elche, Athletic Club, Valencia, Celta, Osasuna and Girona, with discussion on the youngsters who impressed during this period.

We also take time to discuss Antoine Griezmann’s legacy at Atlético Madrid and in LaLiga, as well as his importance to France’s recent success on the international stage.

Finally, we preview the last game of the season away at Villarreal in the battle for third place before ending with another edition of The PaPPod Quiz..

Emmanuel (@laligalavo) and Kelvin (@kelvynbrown19) are joined by a very special guest, Rahul (@laligalondon), co-host of the Tiki Tapas podcast, to dissect how Diego Simeone’s men have officially returned to the European and domestic elite.

In this episode:

• Champions League Magic: We dive into the midweek masterclass against Barcelona. How did Atleti break the 9-year drought to reach the UCL Semi-Finals?
• Player Spotlight: Who were the heroes? We pick out the individual performances that silenced the critics and dominated the pitch.
• The Magic of the Copa: A deep dive into the Copa del Rey. We discuss why this competition has been so special this season and analyze the journey to Atleti’s first final in 13 years.
• The Finalists: A tactical look at both teams heading into the grand finale. What are the keys to lifting the trophy?
• ThePaPPodQuiz: Stick around for the finish! as Kelvyn put Rahul and Emmanuel to the test in our signature quiz.

Follow the crew on X:

• Emmanuel: @laligalavo
• Kelvin: @kelvynbrown19
• Rahul: @laligalondon

Joining us is Ashwin Ballal, author of Made in Argentina, Mastered in Madrid, for a deep-dive into the tactical and emotional architecture of that triumph.

• Tactical Blueprint: How the narrow 4-4-2 mid-block strangled Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

• The "Costa" Catalyst: Analyzing how Diego Costa’s 8 goals in the tournament changed the profile of the Atleti striker.

• Mastering the Set-Piece: The Burgos-Simeone dead-ball philosophy that delivered the Miranda winner.

As Atleti prepares for another Cup final, we look back at the victory that made everything else possible.

Love the tactical insights in today’s show? Dive deeper into the Cholo revolution and get your copy of Ashwin's book here:

👉 Made in Argentina, Mastered in Madrid on Amazon

In this episode, we conduct a tactical breakdown of the league loss to Barça, identifying exactly how the team exploited Barca weaknesses and where the team struggled.

We discuss the specific elements from that performance that will carry over into the Champions League, focusing on the tactical keys needed to handle Barça’s intense pressure and maintain midfield compactness away from home.

Finally, we debate whether Atleti’s tendency to drop deep is a tactical choice by Simeone or a mental block within the squad. We outline the blueprint for how Atletico should approach the game.

Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) is joined by Kelvyn Brown (@kelvynbrown19) to analyze the key tactical moments from the match, how Atlético managed the tie, and the performances that made the difference.

We also discuss the club’s majority share takeover and what it could realistically mean for Atlético both on and off the pitch, before looking ahead to what the next stage for the club might be as they continue to evolve under Diego Simeone.

• Spurs’ season compared to last: why their Premier League form has struggled while they thrive in Europe

• The managerial shift from Thomas Frank to Igor Tudor and its tactical consequences

• How injuries and squad depth shape Tottenham’s approach in knockout games

• Football’s current tactical meta and the differences between Spain and England

• What to expect from the first leg at the Metropolitano and how Atleti can exploit Spurs’ weaknesses and more...

Key Talking Points:

• The "Happiest Defeat": How Atleti survived a 3-0 siege at the Camp Nou to protect their first-leg lead.

• The Griezmann Glue: Why Antoine is indispensable, not just for goals, but for holding the team together in possession.

• MLS vs. Glory: Discussing the reports that Griezmann is pausing his Orlando City move to chase one last trophy in Seville.

In this episode, Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) & Kelvyn (@kelvynbrown19) break down a chaotic night that perfectly summed up Atlético’s season away from home.

We analyse the rollercoaster performance: the strong, aggressive high press early on, and why it completely unraveled once it was beaten. Why does the team start proactive, only to retreat into a deep block so quickly? Is Atlético too reactive when protecting leads?

The discussion dives into:

• Why the press struggled structurally

• The risks of dropping deep in winning game states

• How Giuliano drifting centrally in buildup and progression could offer solutions

• The mentality issue that continues to define Atleti’s away performances

Finally, there’s a full preview of the Espanyol clash, what to expect tactically and mentally, plus Manolo’s record against Atlético and why it matters.

Emmanuel (@LaLigaLavo) & Kelvyn (@kelvynbrown19) break down whether Atlético have effectively conceded the LaLiga title race and shifted their focus to the Copa del Rey and Champions League. Were the squad selections in those league losses rotation out of necessity or a clear prioritisation of silverware?

We analysed Ademola Lookman’s impact since arriving, what he adds to Simeone’s system, and how Álex Baena could fit into the tactical structure moving forward. They also discuss reports linking José María Giménez with a possible summer exit and what that would mean defensively.

Finally, they preview Atlético’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge , what’s at stake, tactical matchups, and whether this team can carry its cup intensity into Europe.

A month of extremes. Now comes the defining stretch.

We break down how the current squad construction is limiting Simeone, assess potential arrivals like Lookman, Obade-Vargas, and Mendoza, and debate whether these targets solve Atleti’s issues in chance creation, transitions, and game control. We also examine recent departures, remaining gaps, and how recruitment decisions could define the title race and top-three push.

Finally, we look ahead to the Copa del Rey clash vs Betis and why it matters tactically, psychologically, and politically in the context of January planning.

Transfers first. Results follow.

We assess the impact of Gallagher and Raspadori’s departures, particularly how Raspadori’s exit could reshape minutes and responsibilities in the attacking line, and whether this opens the door for Almada to play a bigger role.

There’s a detailed look at the Alavés match: Atlético’s continued struggle to kill games despite creating chances, the lack of control after taking the lead, and Julián Álvarez’s ongoing difficulties within Simeone’s current setup.

The episode closes with a Champions League preview against Galatasaray, focusing on what the result means for Atlético’s chances of securing a top-8 finish, the margin for error in the league phase.

We break down the league and UCL numbers, Simeone’s shift toward a higher press and greater possession, why execution hasn’t matched ambition, and how Julián Álvarez’s role encapsulates the problem.

We also assess January departures, unmet squad needs, and what must change in the second half of the season if Atleti are to avoid a top-four dogfight.

A clear-eyed midseason audit of Simeone’s most expensive squad yet.

• what Atleti did well early

• how the match flipped after key injuries

• why Barça’s technical players took over once Simeone’s side retreated.

We analyze the roles of Pedri, Olmo, Raphinha and Lamine, dissect where Atleti lost structure, and highlight how Gallagher and Almada changed the rhythm after coming on.

We also dig into individual performances:

• Molina’s progression

• Griezmann’s struggles

• Sorloth’s not doing great as an outlet

• Alvarez’s adjustment issues

• The bigger pattern of Atleti losing control after scoring first.

We then preview Atleti's trip to San Mamés and provide a sharp, detailed breakdown of

• what is happening to Athletic Club and their poor form,
• how Valverde's side can hurt Atleti, and
• what Cholo must fix to improve Atleti's away record.

We explored:

• Barça’s possession structure, rotations, high press & how it’s changed year-to-year
• Simeone’s clearest routes to hurt Barcelona: high-line exploitation, second balls, hybrid pressing, transitions
• How Barcelona can damage Atleti through half-space attacks, wide overloads & Lewandowski’s link-ups
• Key matchups & micro-battles that could decide the rhythm of the game
• In-game scenarios, adjustments & live tactical prompts for our guest

s episode clicks.

We recap recent wins over Betis, Sevilla, Getafe and Inter, examine the tactical tweaks behind the improvement, and highlight the players stepping up including Giménez’s leadership and Pubill’s emergence.

There’s a full tactical review of what went wrong and then right after key substitutions vs Getafe, plus a deep look at the UCL win vs Inter, Cholo’s first-half gamble, and how Atleti capitalized on Inter’s late-game struggles.

We also dig into the numbers: chance creation, set-piece reliability, attacking predictability and whether this run is sustainable or simply a resilience-driven purple patch.

Finally, we preview Atlético vs Real Oviedo, the likely game script, how Simeone might rotate and the key details Atleti must control to carry this momentum into winter.

We break down how Simeone used the break to sharpen structure, spacing, and set-piece organisation and which players stand to benefit most. From Atleti’s ongoing away-form issues to the team’s remarkable historical dominance over Getafe, the episode covers the tactical, mental, and statistical storylines surrounding this matchup.

Topics include:
• How the international break became a reset window for transitions, set-plays, and wide-area automations
• Why Atleti continue to struggle away from home
• Simeone’s absurd unbeaten record vs Getafe
• Key battles: controlling Luis Milla, winning second balls, avoiding chaos
• The set-piece crisis at both ends — 90 corners without a goal
• Almada, Baena, Griezmann and the creative blueprint for breaking compact blocks
• What this match could reveal about Atleti’s title credentials

Plus: stats corner, hero & villain of the week, and the bigger picture heading into the post-break run.

• A huge off-pitch story: Apollo Sports Capital about to become Atlético’s new majority shareholder, what this means for the club’s structure, and how it could shape the next era of Atleti under Simeone.
• Atlético’s 3–1 win over Levante this week, breaking down how the game shifted once Griezmann came off the bench and why the attack struggled for rhythm early on.

• We got into Baena drifting inside from the left, the congestion it created with Julián Álvarez, Sørloth’s predictable movement, and Atleti’s continuing issues defending and attacking set pieces.
• 
  

• We also look at the key numbers from the match: 21 corners with no goals, Griezmann passing Messi for goals scored under a single coach, and Atleti leading LaLiga in goals from substitutes.

We get into what’s changed, how Simeone’s simplified things, and which players are stepping up, from Giménez’s leadership to Baena’s versatility and Giuliano’s confidence in front of goal.

Plus, we look ahead to Levante, talk rotation vs rhythm, and ask the big question

In this episode, @LaLigaLavo and @kelvynbrown19 break down what changed, focusing on the players’ performances within Simeone’s tactical setup: why some are doing well, and why others are still struggling to find form.

We discuss how new signings like Julia Bartel, Amaiur Sarriegi, and Macarena Portales have added depth and quality, the tactical progress from last season, and how Atleti are shaping up ahead of their Liga F showdown with Barcelona.

Finally, we ask: how close are Atlético Femenino to bridging the gap with Barça and what will define their season both in Europe and at home?

We also touch on the players called up to the Spanish national team, the key takeaways from the draw.

We talk about Mateu Alemany joining Atleti to take care of the club's transfer market activities

Finally, we ask: Do fans sometimes over-isolate mistakes in a team sport?

We then shift to LaLiga, previewing the trip to Vigo to face Celta, their underwhelming start under Claudio Giraldez, the key tactical battles ahead, and what Atleti must do to keep momentum rolling in the league.

• We begin with the 3–2 win over Rayo Vallecano, where Atleti’s attacking spark finally showed despite lingering defensive flaws.
• We then shift to the 1–1 draw away at Mallorca, analyzing wasted chances, Simeone’s rotations, and what’s behind the lack of consistency.
• Finally, we look ahead to the Madrid Derby, discussing the key tactical battles, squad depth, and what Atleti must do to challenge Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.

🔴⚪ Compact defense, high press, and the fight for consistency, all on the table this week.

• Early season form – Villarreal flying with 7 points and the league’s best attack vs Atlético struggling for consistency and clean sheets.

• Transfer window takeaways – how both clubs spent big and reshaped their squads.

• Villarreal focus – Pepe’s attacking threat, midfield power from Pape Gueye & Comesaña, and their new-look defense.

• Tactical battles – Simeone’s defense vs Pepe, midfield duels, and

• Champions League angle – what’s at stake for both teams with Europe around the corner.

• Predictions – expected lineups, scorelines, and how the season might unfold for both clubs.

We also discuss the latest on Sørloth’s future, Baena’s injury setback, and preview Matchday 2 against Elche, including tactical battles, line-up expectations, and what Atlético must fix

Was the defeat against Espanyol just an opening-day stumble, or an early warning sign for Atleti’s season

The impact of losing key players and the challenge of replacing dribbling threat on the wings.

Expected tactical shifts between 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 in the new season, and what that means for the team’s structure in and out of possession.

The battle for starting spots in midfield and attack, with focus on Barrios’s role, Gallagher’s fit, and Sørloth’s potential as a consistent starter.

Defensive dynamics: Giménez’s injury concerns, David Hancko and Simeone’s experiment with Pubill as a centre-back.

Squad depth and rotation challenges across competitions, and whether Simeone can balance stability with evolution in style.

Predictions for Atlético’s 2025/26 campaign.