Atletico Madrid's ideal starting XI for 2018/19 season

Atletico Madrid v Arsenal FC  - UEFA Europa League Semi Final Second Leg
Atletico Madrid will be a serious contender in La Liga this season

Defenders

The back 4 for Atletico Madrid should ideally be: Right-back: Santiago Arias, Centre backs: Godin and Gimenez, Left-back: Felipe Luis

Uruguay v Portugal: Round of 16 - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez

Jan Oblak is an excellent goalkeeper but he also has a stone wall in front of him. Atletico Madrid are probably the best defensive team in the world right now. Their system is mostly based on an incredible defensive organisation.

Centre back positions are reserved for Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez. In Gimenez and Godin, Atleti have arguably the best centre-back pairing in La Liga.

For the past few seasons, Diego Godin has been a leader at the back for both country and club. This Atletico Madrid side is unthinkable without him. Being one of Simeone's senior members in the team, a lot of hopes will again rest on the shoulders of the 32-year-old.

Jose Gimenez is really a legend in the making. At 23 years of age, he already has two World Cup campaigns with his national team and 29 appearances for Atletico in European competitions. Gimenez possesses the qualities that every manager would want in his centre back.

Stevan Savić will probably wait for his chance from the bench. He is another excellent centre-back who will do his job on a maximum level every time he gets a chance.

Santiago Arias and Filipe Luis should occupy the full-back slots. Atletico Madrid has signed Colombian defender on a five-year deal from PSV Eindhoven as the replacement for Šime Vrsaljko. Arias is a fullback probably more suited to their style of play. He is a more creative fullback than Vrsaljko. Arias constantly offers runs up and down the pitch, good crosses and cutbacks.

Last season, Felipe Luis suffered a serious injury which sidelined him for two months. He came back at the end of last season, and he also appeared at the World Cup in Russia. His competition at the left back position will be Lucas Hernandez, who played very good at the World Cup. His national team won this competition and he was the first choice on the left back.

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Edited by Moderator -PJ
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