Alejandro Grimaldo Scout Report At Atlético Madrid 2026/2027: Does He Transform Diego Simeone’s Left Wing? – Player Analysis

Who Is Alejandro Grimaldo?

Atlético Madrid's signing of Alejandro Grimaldo wasn't simply an attempt to strengthen the left-back position; it can be seen as a reflection of Diego Simeone's ongoing evolution in recent years. 

Atleti, known for their defensive solidity for a decade, have become more inclined towards ball possession, building play from the back, and creating numerical superiority in the middle and attacking thirds. 

This requires a different calibre of player compared to what Simeone relied on in his early days at the club.

Grimaldo arrives after a remarkable spell with Bayer Leverkusen, where he was more than just a full-back pushing forward to deliver crosses. 

He became a key component of Xabi Alonso's system, contributing to build-up play, creating chances, operating in the half-spaces, and even reaching the penalty area. 

This tactical versatility has made him one of Europe's most influential full-backs and a player capable of performing multiple roles in a single match.

In this Alejandro Grimaldo scout report and player analysis, we analyse how this signing is not just about adding a player with individual quality for Atlético, but about Grimaldo's ability to give the side from the Spanish capital new attacking solutions and provide tactical flexibility that allows Simeone to change the shape of the team without having to make substitutions or change the base formation.

Alejandro Grimaldo Role In Diego Simeone Tactics

Grimaldo is difficult to classify as a traditional left-back because his role on the pitch constantly changes depending on the phase of the game. 

Sometimes he positions himself wide to give the team maximum width; other times he moves into the half-spaces to participate in the build-up, and sometimes he drops deep as an extra midfielder to create numerical superiority against the opponent's press.

Here, we see Grimaldo receive the ball on the left side, before linking up with a teammate behind to move inside the pitch.

He moves inside to create a depth option for a vertical pass, where we see him shield a midfielder behind and pass it to the striker.

This ability to move between different areas gives the coach great flexibility during a match. 

When the team is under high pressure, Grimaldo can drop back alongside the midfielders to provide an extra option in the build-up, and when his team has possession, he pushes forward as an extra winger, stretching the field and forcing the opponent to widen their lines.

The player doesn't rely on random movements; he has a clear understanding of the right timing to advance or hold back, a skill he developed working under Xabi Alonso in a system that constantly shifted positions. 

Therefore, his value lies not only in his positioning but also in his ability to choose the space that gives his team a numerical or tactical advantage.

For Atlético Madrid, this flexibility could give Simeone options that haven't been consistently available in recent seasons.

Instead of relying solely on the full-back to deliver crosses, he could use Grimaldo as a wide playmaker, an extra midfielder, or even an attacking player who cuts inside to create numerical superiority around the penalty area.

Above, Matteo Ruggeri defines his main style of play as he provides width and plays a cross into the box.

Alejandro Grimaldo Build Up & Progression

One of the main reasons Grimaldo has been a key player for Leverkusen in recent years is his ability to influence the build-up play. 

He doesn't wait for the ball to reach him on the touchline, but constantly moves to create new passing angles, whether near the centre-backs or in the half-spaces, giving the player in possession more options to escape pressure.

Here, he receives the ball where he is near the left centre-back and makes a supporting run for the ball carrier.

Grimaldo possesses exceptional passing ability under pressure, whether through short passes to maintain possession or diagonal passes to switch play to the opposite flank. 

He also excels at carrying the ball over medium distances when the opposition closes down passing lanes, a quality that helps his team overcome initial pressure without resorting to long balls.

His role isn't limited to bringing the ball out from the back; he also participates in the next stage of build-up, continuing to move to provide new solutions for his teammates, which makes his involvement in possession continuous throughout the attack, not just at the start.

Here, we see Grimaldo provided a solution for the ball carrier, before passing vertically and following the forward movement.

He asked for the ball again and played a cross towards the penalty area.

These characteristics could help Atlético Madrid improve the quality of their build-up from the back, especially against teams that rely on high pressing, as Grimaldo provides an additional player who is able to handle the ball calmly, make quick decisions, and maintain the rhythm of the game.

Alejandro Grimaldo Attacking Contribution

While defensive prowess is what distinguishes many full-backs, Grimaldo makes the difference in the attacking third. 

He doesn't just deliver crosses; he possesses a wide range of options, whether through balls, penetrating from half-spaces, shooting from outside the penalty area, or even entering the box at the right moment.

His off-the-ball movement is one of his greatest strengths, as he is adept at exploiting defenders’ preoccupation with attackers to move behind them or into the spaces they leave, giving him an advantage in receiving the ball inside influential areas.

Here, we can see his off-the-ball movement inside the box, behind the right-back, where he was free to assist the goal to his teammate.

He also has great accuracy in early crosses, a weapon Atlético Madrid could exploit with attackers who excel in aerial play and movement inside the penalty area, as we saw in that goal.

We also mustn't overlook his contribution to set-pieces, whether through direct free kicks or corner kicks, which adds an additional source of opportunity creation to a team that has always benefited from this type of situation. 

Grimaldo is one of his team's key cross providers, having delivered 94 successful crosses with a 40.4% accuracy rate, a high percentage for his position. 

These figures reflect the quality of his decision-making in the final third, whether sending in early crosses or exploiting attackers' movement inside the penalty area.

Grimaldo's influence is not limited to playmaking, but extends to the final third, where he contributed 16 goal contributions (eight goals and eight assists), with 57 shots and an expected goals (xG) of 5.25, figures that reflect his constant presence inside dangerous areas and his ability to choose the right time to enter the penalty area.

For Simeone, a full-back who can create chances on his own relieves the burden on midfielders and playmakers and gives the team more variety in reaching the goal, especially against teams that defend with a low block.

Alejandro Grimaldo Defensive Style Of Play

Despite his attacking reputation, Grimaldo's success at Leverkusen wouldn't have been possible without a clear defensive commitment. 

He actively participates in counterpressing after losing possession, excels at closing down space on the opposing wing, and possesses the ability to quickly recover his position in transition.

Here, we see the same idea: when the ball is lost, they try quickly to intercept it or disrupt the attack.

This is what happened in that instance when they lost possession.

However, his defensive role relies heavily on team organisation. 

He is not the type of full-back who relies solely on physical strength or tackles; instead, he uses positioning and game reading to minimise the number of one-on-one situations he engages in.

Despite his attacking nature, Grimaldo maintained a clear defensive presence, having won 381 tackles with a success rate of 46.5%, in addition to 90 interceptions. 

He also recovered the ball 195 times in the opponent's half, which reflects his effective participation in counter-pressing and regaining possession in advanced areas.

Alejandro Grimaldo Challenges With Diego Simeone 

Grimaldo's biggest challenge won't be proving his technical ability, but rather adapting to a tactical environment different from the one he experienced at Leverkusen. 

At Atlético Madrid, Simeone might demand greater defensive commitment and a reduced attacking threat in certain matches, especially against top opponents.