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 the most influential full-backs in Europe and a player capable of performing multiple roles within 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 roles on the pitch constantly change according to the phase of the game. 

Sometimes he positions himself wide to give the team maximum width, at other times he moves into the half-spaces to participate in the build-up play, while sometimes he appears deep as an additional midfielder to help create numerical superiority against the opponent's pressure.

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 the pitch to get a depth option for a vertical pass, where we could see he shields a midfielder behind and passes 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 additional option in the build-up, and when his team has possession, he pushes forward to become an extra winger, stretching out the field and forcing the opponent to widen their lines.

The player doesn't rely on random movements, but rather possesses a clear understanding of the appropriate timing for advancing or holding back, a skill he acquired from 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 is not limited to bringing the ball out from the back, but he also participates in the next stage of build-up, as he continues to move to provide new solutions for his teammates, which makes his participation in possession continuous throughout the attack, and not just at its beginning.

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.