Are Grimaldo and Baena the new Filipe Luis and Arda Turan?

Rubén Uría revisits the comparison between Atlético's current left flank and the one formed by Filipe Luis and Arda Turan. Nacho Donado and Alberto Carballo add some nuance: Grimaldo is reminiscent of Filipe, but Arda played with his back to goal, whereas Baena sees the game facing forward.

Rubén Uría put the question to the panel on 'Club Uría': viewers in the chat had suggested that the current left flank of Grimaldo and Baena was reminiscent of the one formed by Filipe Luis and Arda Turan. Rubén believes that pairing had outrageous quality, but stresses that the current one is a terrific left flank in its own right.

Nacho Donado points out that the old flank carried far more of the play, because Filipe was a playmaker and Koke drifted into that area a lot: the three of them would link up and work the ball out of the tightest of spaces. If it was not the best, it was among the best, but the current one is more than worthy and of a high level. He does, however, warn against comparing profiles: you cannot ask Llorente to be Filipe Luis, and Alberto Carballo adds that you cannot ask Giuliano to be Arda either.

Carballo understands the comparison in terms of profile: Alejandro Grimaldo is the closest thing to Filipe Luis, a full-back who attacks, defends and creates play. The two reach a shared conclusion: they are alike in output, not in style, because Arda played more with his back to goal, while Baena sees the game facing forward.