A highly disappointing season after some good investment in the start. You know your season was poor when the only reason to celebrate was the fact that your rivals were relegated. Something that ‘Galo’ was not far always safe from.
Atlético had a strong investment for this season by bringing players like Igor Rabello, Réver, Guga, Geuvánio, Jair and, in mid-season, Romulo Otero and Franco Di Santo, having only lost Emerson to Barcelona from last season.
The beginning of the season confirmed expectations with the team picking only three “normal” defeats (Palmeiras, Grêmio and Santos) in the first 14 rounds. Galo was 4th at that time, sharing the same points as the champions-to-be Flamengo.
However, and for some inexplicable reason, an awful run of 6 consecutive defeats (including 2 home defeats and also defeat to struggling Avaí). Atleticanos were never able to recover from this breakdown, and season was pitiful until the end.
Big injuries on key players like goalkeeper Victor, midfielders Jair, Elias and Yimmi Chará together with long periods of poor form on players like Cazares, Luan and especially Ricardo Oliveira are certainly a big part on why the team had such a dreadful season.
There are some good reasons for the fans to believe they’ll have a better year in 2020: Cleiton seems a good successor for the aged Victor; Guga and Rabello have room for improvement and can become solid assets; Jair and Chará are hoping for an injury-free season; Di Santo is expected to start hitting the net more frequently.
