Manu Sánchez impresses boss in Atlético Madrid win over Valladolid | OneFootball

Diego Simeone has said he had no qualms about starting 19-year-old Manu Sánchez at left-back in Atlético Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid.

Vitolo’s 81st-minute winner against Valladolid lifted Los Rojiblancos into third position in LaLiga, leaving them well placed to secure Champions League football for next season.

Sánchez stepped in for Renan Lodi and produced an assured performance at the Wanda Metropolitano.

“He’s very young, it’s his third game with us,” Simeone said when discussing the teenager (via Marca).

“He played very well, with lots of clarity, lots of personality, no fear and he made a very positive impression on me.”

Sánchez has never been capped at any international level by Spain, but he has been building up experience playing with Atleti’s U19 side in the UEFA Youth League.

The defender has also featured with the club’s reserve team in Segunda División B.

Simeone’s charges face a hectic schedule in the coming weeks, and Sánchez may well see more first-team action on the back of his mature display this weekend.