Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images

Does Diego Simeone?s defense have a new leader" The start of the 2024/25 season in Spain has been a bit...strange. The present top four look like the top four we are going to see come May, though the order remains to be seen amid FC Barcelona?s perfect start and the Madrid teams? inconsistency (despite both posting an unbeaten record through four weeks). At Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé only just got off the mark with a brace against Real Betis on Sunday, while Atlético Madrid?s star signing Julián Alvarez is yet to find the net or directly contribute to a goal.
But where Atlético have immediately and noticeably improved is at the back. A ?defense? that shipped 43 goals in LALIGA (and 68 across 54 games in all competitions) a season ago has looked much more competent and confident in the early days of 2024/25. This perception has been solidified since Atleti?s tight, tense, and tactical encounter with Athletic Club on Saturday ? a game Los Rojiblancos won with a very late Ángel Correa goal.
¿Cuál fue tu reacción cuando ocurrió esto" pic.twitter.com/T2vMlHmaHM? Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) September 4, 2024

Athletic smashed Atlético twice at San Mamés last season, including a 3-0 win in the Copa del Rey semifinal that eliminated Diego Simeone?s men from the competition. Saturday?s 1-0 victory rolled back the years; Atleti demonstrated an impressive physical level in midfield as well as a...