Marcos Llorente is no longer just a versatile player in Diego Simeone‘s system; he has become a tactical linchpin around whom multiple solutions are built within a single match.
His deployment as a right-back, whether in a four-man or five-man formation, is not only about covering the flank but also about managing the balance between the lines, especially in matches where Atlético Madrid are under pressure or need to pose a direct threat on the counterattack.
His performance levels this season reflect his transformation from a complementary player to a crucial element in implementing Simeone’s playing model.
In this Marcos Llorente scout report, we will delve into Llorente’s style of play this season.
Marcos Llorente In Build-Up & Progression
During build-up play, Llorente handles the ball with the mindset of a midfielder rather than a full-back.
Llorente is often positioned on the same line as the right centre-back or slightly higher, giving Atlético an additional option to break the opponent’s pressure.
Here, against Real Sociedad, Llorente is positioned between the two centre-backs, creating a horizontal passing lane.
He then draws a player into pressure, passes to Pablo Barrios, drops back two steps to support the attack, and receives the ball again.
This delayed positioning is used not only to escape pressure, but also to create passing angles.
Then he moves up to the progression phase, where he could act as an additional midfielder to define the superiority in the right half-space.
Here, against Real Mallorca, we see his choice to enter the heart of the field and serve as an additional option, whether by passing or by moving to mark a player and open up space.
This ability to advance the ball gives Atlético Madrid solutions against both mid-blocks and high blocks.
Marcos Llorente Final Third Effect
Marcos Llorente doesn’t just reach the final third as a traditional full-back, but transforms into an additional player inside the box at specific moments.
Llorente transforms from a full-back into a deep-lying attacking player, taking advantage of the right winger’s reverse positioning.
Here, we see Marcos Llorente’s positioning, followed by his adjustment when the through ball is played.
He then moved vertically, positioned himself on the edge of the penalty area, demanded the ball at the right moment, and then shot and scored against Liverpool.
He started the attack from a deep position, then gradually slipped behind the midfield to appear inside the penalty area unmarked.
In the second goal against Liverpool, Marcos Llorente starts on the edge of the penalty area, then goes outside, and shoots with great awareness from a single touch.
This highlights his understanding of timing his runs, not just the space he occupies.
His goalscoring prowess isn’t based on long-range shots, but on reading when a defensive organisation collapses.
The move began with a clever positioning on the right flank, waiting for the opposing full-back to come off his line before bursting into the open space and receiving the ball with his body angled towards the pitch, allowing him a full view of the penalty area.
His cross wasn’t random; it was a calculated cross towards the far post, targeting Julián Alvarez‘s run from deep.
Marcos Llorente In Transition
Marcos Llorente is one of Atlético’s most effective players in transitional moments, especially in attacking transitions.
His speed in open spaces makes him a first-choice option for counterattacks.
Marcos Llorente’s goal against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise perfectly exemplifies his role in the attacking transition within Simeone’s system.
The play began immediately after regaining possession in the middle third.
Marcos Llorente didn’t move laterally or to cover, but rather launched a vertical run into the space behind the opposition’s midfield line, exploiting the disorganised advance of Union’s defence.
This early run forced the left-back to hesitate between coming out and staying back, creating a clear gap in the right half.
Llorente didn’t rush towards the ball immediately, but maintained a clever diagonal path that allowed him to receive it at an open angle towards the goal, finishing the attack with a single touch inside the penalty area.
The goal reflects the essence of his role in the transition, reading the moment before the defence moves and launching his run at the precise moment that turns regaining possession into an immediate threat, without the need for a lengthy build-up.
Marcos Llorente Defensive Style
Despite his attacking roles, Marcos Llorente remains defensively disciplined according to Simeone’s principles, especially in managing 1v1 situations.
Here, against Real Betis, he preferred to wait and direct the winger towards the touchline instead of rushing forward.
Before he intervenes, he prevents accidental intrusion.
Here, against Real Sociedad, he tried to stop the winger in front of him in a 1v1 and placed the ball around his perimeter.
Then he continued possession and carried it towards the touchline.
This behaviour reflects his understanding of the principles of individual and collective defence within Simeone’s system, where the full-back is required to manage the situation and not just win the ball back.
Marcos Llorente Tactical Limitation
Despite his versatility, Marcos Llorente sometimes struggles against highly skilled wingers in tight spaces, especially when forced to defend in the final third for extended periods.
This season, Marcos Llorente’s limitations are mainly evident in matches where Atlético Madrid are forced to defend deep for long periods on the right flank without sufficient cover from the midfield.
Likewise, his tendency to pressure the player moving in space and demanding the ball, at which point he commits fouls and mistakes.
Here, against Deportivo Alavés, that problem appeared in his physical approach: he was far from the player receiving the ball, which led to mistakes.
This limitation is not a weakness; it confirms that its best use is within a system that enables movement and proactivity, not in a context that requires individual solutions in a static situation.
Marcos Llorente’s limitations are not related to physical abilities or tactical intelligence, but rather to scenarios that reduce the space and time available to him.
Conclusion
Marcos Llorente embodies the modern functional player within Diego Simeone’s system, where his value transcends the traditional role of a right-back, becoming a tactical instrument for managing balance and transitions.
His true impact is evident in moments of transition from defence to attack, through his vertical runs, the timing of his off-the-ball movement, and his ability to turn a ball recovery into a direct threat within seconds.
However, his effectiveness remains tied to the collective context; when space is limited or he is isolated defensively without support, his ability to exert influence diminishes.
Overall, Marcos Llorente is not a player who provides individual solutions, but rather a crucial element within a disciplined system.
The more he is deployed within a clear organisational framework for transitions and covering, the greater his value on the pitch becomes.
