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Johnny Cardoso the lucky charm: four games, four Atlético wins
Nacho Donado sees him as undroppable in midfield, ahead even of Hjulmand
Nacho Donado runs through Johnny Cardoso's numbers since he became a starter
Rubén Uría hails Johnny Cardoso's form and Nacho Donado supplies the stat: Atleti have won every game he has played. For Donado, he is currently the only guaranteed starter in midfield.
With the MVP vote too close to call, Rubén Uría makes his pick: for him, the most positive takeaway from the match is Johnny Cardoso. He sees him getting better and better, dominant, powerful and winning back countless balls.
Nacho Donado explains why. Cardoso is assured in the tackle, which is why he recovers more possession than usual, and assured in his passing, which allows him to knit the play together far more than last season. And he adds the stat that makes him a lucky charm: he has played four games and Atleti have won all four, starting with the second half against Real Sociedad.
Donado considers him the one undroppable player in midfield right now. He is unsure whether the full 90 minutes in Vitoria were down to Atleti wanting to win at all costs or a sign that he could be on the bench against Manchester United, with Hjulmand waiting in the wings, but he is clear on one thing: Cardoso is the one he would not leave out.