Matteo Ruggeri’s place remains uncertain despite promising debut season

Complete defender

Ruggeri has made 22 La Liga appearances this season, with only five coming as a substitute. He has amassed 1,460 minutes in Spain’s top flight and helped Atlético keep six clean sheets in the league, accounting for 27 percent of his appearances. To put his contributions into some context, Ruggeri has completed 36 successful tackles, averaging 2.22 per game. Furthermore, he has made 18 vital interceptions, winning 62 duels on the ground at an average of 3.82 per match. Ruggeri’s aerial prowess has not gone unnoticed either, with the ex-Atalanta defender averaging 1.23 aerial duels won per game. Despite operating mostly as a left-back or a wing-back in Simeone’s 3-5-2 system, he has often shifted into central defensive areas to help form the back line. As such, it’s no wonder he has registered 52 clearances — an average of 3.2 per match. For further perspective, Los Rojiblancos have lost two of their last three league fixtures without Ruggeri, with the sole exception coming in a 2-0 triumph at Valencia, which marked Simeone’s 1,000th game as a manager. During his recent interview with Sky Sport Italia, Ruggeri acknowledged his defensive improvement under Simeone, and credited the 56-year-old for helping him advance his game.

Room for improvement

However, Ruggeri’s attacking output has left plenty to be desired so far. The Italian has proved an idle offensive threat without any goals scored in LaLiga to this point, though he has picked up three assists — the same total he registered in Serie A with Atalanta in 2024/25. Still, he has attempted just four shots on goal, including two on target, generating an unenviable 0.36 xG throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

Unexpected competition

The recent emergence of homegrown starlet Julio Diaz is unlikely to dislodge Ruggeri from the starting role, but it could challenge him to maintain consistency and stay fully committed to his place in the side. Considered among the club’s brightest prospects, the 21-year-old has impressed in the final stages of the season, showing maturity beyond his years.