FIFA 22 Atletico Madrid Career Mode Guide: Starting lineup and who to sign

Atletico Madrid are coming off the back of a league title, but can you take them to the next level in FIFA 22 Career Mode?

The two-time Champions League runners-up have never tasted European glory, so that is going to be one of the biggest challenges for you as manager.

Our guide should help you as you attempt to make history with Atletico Madrid and take them to heights they have never reached before.

Team Rating

Atletico Madrid has a five-star rating in FIFA 22.

The breakdown of the ratings is as follows: ATT 85, MID 83, DEF 83.

Starting Lineup and Formation

It is a pretty funky 3-1-4-2 formation that Atletico Madrid has as their default, but they certainly have the squad depth to be flexible.

We prefer a four at the back formation, so that is what we will begin our save with the Spanish champions.

Let’s start from the back and Jan Oblak is going to be your GK as he is the best in the game, while Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic form the CB pairing.

At right-back is Englishman Kieran Tripper, with Brazilian youngster Renan Lodi operating on the left-hand side.

In midfield, we have stuck with Geoffrey Kondogbia and Koke, but also brought in Marcos Llorente to form an energetic trio.

Upfront is where it gets a little tricky, but we think we can get the best out of Antoine Griezmann if he plays in the RW position.

Lethal striker Luis Suarez plays through the middle, with Belgian speedster Yannick Carrasco pipping Thomas Lemar to the spot on the left-wing.

Tactics and Instructions

Setting Griezmann to ‘Cut Inside’ will see him work closer to Suarez in the middle and hopefully produce chances for his deadly left foot.

We like Suarez’s instructions to be balanced so he can receive the ball to his feet or run in behind if he finds the space.

As the fastest player in the team, Yannick Carrasco can be set to ‘Get in Behind’ to make the most of his speed.

Defensively we prefer a balanced style for the back four, but Geoffrey Kondogbia can provide an extra bit of protection if you set him to ‘Stay Back While Attacking’.

Development Plans

Joao Felix is the future for Atletico Madrid, so try and get him in the team as much as possible (rotate with Suarez).

There is some serious talent in this team too, and Matheus Cunha can become a world-beater if you manage him correctly.

Both of these players are more suited to a second striker role, so it is worth developing one of them (probably Felix) into a more typical number 9.

Transfer Market

Starting budget: £59 million

Who should go?

It is a massive squad at Atletico Madrid, so there are plenty of players surplus to requirements that can bring in some extra cash for your war chest.

You are well covered in central midfield, so Mexican Hector Herrera can be sold despite his 81 OVR, and he should fetch around £20 million.

Serbian forward Ivan Saponjic can also be let go, although he may be worth more after a season or two.

The following youngsters can also be sold as their potential rating is not high enough to challenge for a first-team spot:

Camus, Fran Gonzalez, Solano, Mini, Edward Sutherland, Christian Gomez

Loans

There are four teenagers with potentials of 80 or higher in the current squad, so it is worth sending them out on loan to get some playing time.

Midfielders Javi Serrano and Alberto Moreno can both reach 80 OVR and could prove useful squad players in the future.

Teenager GK Alejandro Iturbe and Argentine striker Giuliano Simeone can get even better though, so keep an eye on their progress.

There are loads of players already out on loan too, and seven of them are either rated 80 or higher or have the potential to be!

Saul remains the most promising with an 85 potential, but Marcos Paulo, Nehuen Perez, Valera, Manu Sanchez, Alvaro Morata, and Mollejo can all come back and make a difference.

The rest of the players out on loan can be put straight back on the transfer list.

Who to sign?

It is a difficult squad to pinpoint a weakness with so much talent covering all areas.

However, if you are someone who likes to play with wingers then bringing in another top-class speedster could be the option for you.

Spurs winger Heung-Min Son could prove too expensive, but there are several excellent options to look at including Kingsley Coman and Marcus Rashford.

Transfer Options (RM/LM/RW/LW)

With your marquee signing sorted, it never hurts to look to the future. Both right-backs in the first-team squad are solid players but neither has the pace of the modern RB.

We would recommend looking for a younger, more athletic RB to come in and play understudy for a season or two before becoming the top-class player their potential allows them to be.

We would look at Ajax youngster Devyne Rensch who has a potential of 85 and can be brought in relatively cheaply.

Transfer Options (RB/RWB)

Board Expectations

As you'd expect, results on the pitch are what matters.

Domestic Success and Continental Success are both of critical priority, so you better make sure you bring home some silverware.

Brand Exposure is also vital to the club, but this means that low priority has been given to your Financial objectives which should take a bit of pressure off.

There is some expectation to deliver on the Youth Development objectives, so keep an eye out for any future stars in your Youth Academy!