Why are Atlético now winning games they used to lose?

Marcos Durán argues that the goal at Cornellà was only possible because there were mentally fresh players on the pitch. The smaller the gap between starters and substitutes, the higher the team's overall level.

Marcos Durán agrees with Borja Aranda's take on the move that led to the goal against Espanyol, but adds a nuance: that move was only possible because there were quality players on the pitch and, above all, players who were mentally fresh.

His argument is that many of the decisions in that move simply cannot be made after 80 or 85 minutes of play. When the tank is empty, the mind stops working and the usual response is to hit it long in search of a miracle that almost never comes. He points out that the opposing coach had said his side needed to commit a foul in that situation, even take a red card if necessary, but that a tired team doesn't even get close enough to make the foul.

Atlético, by contrast, brought on Julián and Baena, who were able to move as if it were the 15th minute. Durán's conclusion: the smaller the gap between the players coming on and those going off, the higher the team's overall level, and that is what allows them to win games they were losing over the previous two seasons.