"Can the 19-year-old Chinese youngster Du Yuezheng establish himself in Europe's top football arena?" This is a question that many people are interested in. In the third round of the King's Cup, when Atletico Madrid faced Segunda Division team Marbella, this young man welcomed his own moment of glory - coming off the bench in the 84th minute. Although he did not directly change the course of the game, these short ten minutes were enough to give people hope. As a player who once stood out in the CSL, his appearance marked that the young generation of Chinese football is trying to open a new door.
This game was not only Du Yuezheng's stage for his debut but also a match full of highlights. With Griezmann's decisive goal in the 16th minute, Atletico Madrid narrowly defeated Marbella 1-0 and advanced to the fourth round of the King's Cup. This victory also expanded the team's winning streak to an astonishing 13 games. For Atletico, this is not just a number but an important embodiment of their steady progress throughout the season.
Atletico's performance in this game continued their consistent balance of attack and defense. Griezmann's decisive goal quickly put the game into their rhythm. Such a goal is not flashy but extremely lethal. It seems like a casual shot, but it actually embodies the essence of Simeone's tactics - rapid offensive transformation,默契的团队协作以及精准的机会把握。
It is worth mentioning that this victory is also the continuation of Atletico's unbeaten streak of 13 games. In these 13 games, they scored a total of 34 goals and conceded only 8, both in terms of attacking power and defensive stability, they can be considered top-level performances. Such achievements not only consolidated their position in the league and cup competitions but also exerted psychological pressure on other giants in La Liga to some extent.
Simeone has proven with practical actions that "stable teamwork and tactical execution are far more important than individual heroism." And Atletico's success has been gradually built up under such a concept.
For Chinese fans, the biggest highlight of this game is undoubtedly Du Yuezheng's substitute appearance. The 19-year-old young player, as a representative of the new generation of Chinese football, is proving with action that going abroad and standing on a bigger stage is something that can be achieved.
Du Yuezheng started his professional career in the CSL. At the age of 16, he had already made his debut in the domestic top league on behalf of the club and became a main player in the following seasons. His rapid growth attracted the attention of many European clubs. In the summer window of 2024, he chose to join Marbella of the Second Division, starting his overseas journey.
Although in the Second Division, he still needs to gradually adapt to the rhythm of European football, in a game against Atletico B, he scored a crucial goal, which allowed people to see his potential.
Perhaps it was such a performance that led to his opportunity to play against the first team of Atletico in the King's Cup.
Of course, Du Yuezheng's appearance is just the beginning, and he still has a long way to go before he can truly establish himself. However, this brief appearance has already brought new hope to Chinese football: we can no longer just be "spectators," but start to let Chinese players make their voices heard on the international stage.
Atletico's success is inseparable from the coaching skills of head coach Simeone. Since taking over the team in 2012, he has been known for his tenacious defense and flexible tactical adjustments. Behind this victory is his efficient management of the rotation lineup. Data shows that since the 2022-23 season, Simeone has lined up different starting lineups in 61 consecutive games.
Such a strategy not only allows Atletico to maintain extremely high competitiveness in multi-line operations but also avoids injuries to key players due to excessive fatigue.
This is particularly evident in the King's Cup matches. Facing lower-level opponents like Marbella, Simeone chose to rest some key players while giving more opportunities to young players and substitutes. This not only ensures the physical reserves of the key players but also accumulates more tactical experience for future matches. Young players like Du Yuezheng can get playing time thanks to such a rotation mechanism.
On the basis of the rotation lineup, Simeone's control of the game rhythm is also very precise. From the high-intensity pressing at the beginning of the game to the defensive counterattacks after taking the lead, Atletico always maintains control of the initiative on the field. For any opponent, such a team that can attack and defend well is undoubtedly a headache.
In Simeone's tactical system, Griezmann is an indispensable core. He is not only the most threatening scorer on the field but also the soul of the team. In this game, his key goal once again proved his value in the team.
Since joining Atletico in 2014, Griezmann has won the recognition of fans with stable output and a high level of professionalism. Whether it's scoring or falling back to organize, he always completes the tasks assigned by the coach. In this season's 13-game winning streak, he directly participated in as many as 10 goals, undoubtedly the top contributor to Atletico's strong performance.
Atletico's 13-game winning streak not only boosted their morale and points but also made the championship situation in La Liga even more unpredictable. Currently, the two traditional giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid, have to face the strong competitive pressure from Atletico. Especially in the critical stage of the mid-season, any mistake in a single game may have a significant impact on the final ranking.
And Atletico's stability is undoubtedly their biggest advantage in the title race. From the depth of the squad to tactical execution, they have shown the ability to compete with the traditional giants. In the upcoming schedule, if they can continue to maintain such a state, they may bring a new championship landscape to La Liga.
Du Yuezheng's substitute appearance may seem like a small episode, but it is an important step for Chinese football towards the world. And Atletico's 13-game winning streak is more like a microcosm of their great journey this season. Every breakthrough and every victory tells us: the charm of football lies in constant challenges and possibilities.
The results of the game will eventually be forgotten, but the stories written with effort and sweat will always be remembered.