Player Spotlight: João Félix vs Getafe

 

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João Félix (left) in action for Atlético Madrid

João Félix will be hoping to silence his haters once and for all this season. As the fourth most expensive player ever, the weight of expectation rests firmly on Félix's shoulders. Despite consistently strong performances for Atlético in the past three seasons, he has never reached the heights that he reached at Benfica as a teenager, where he scored 20 goals and made 11 assists aged only 19. After arguably his best season in an Atlético shirt last season, he will be hoping to continue his good form from the second half of the 21/22 season in which he won the March player of the month award in LaLiga. 

A good performance against Getafe will certainly bolter Félix's confidence. He set up all three goals as Atlético won 3-0, including a neat layoff for Álvaro Morata to score his first of two goals in the game. He also took 3 shots and was unlucky to see his only shot on target saved by David Soria. His role in Diego Simeone's system is highlighted by his stats in this match: despite minimal defensive involvement, his high number of shot-creating actions (4), xA (0.5) and xG (0.5) show his role as Atlético's main and often sole creator. After a good start, will this be the season 2019's Golden Boy winner finally shines?