The Montenegrin drove Ronaldo crazy, when he is at his level he is one of the best in Europe

"The Montenegrin played a big game. He didn't let a single ball pass him. Excellent in the air, confident on the ground. His experience is invaluable. He drove Ronaldo crazy. When he's at his level, he's one of the best defenders in Europe."

This is how the Spanish "Marka" described the release of Stefan Savić at Old Trafford, in the great victory of Atletico Madrid over Manchester United (1:0).

"Kolćoneros" reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League, thanks to another presentation of the top defensive strategy and team spirit, prepared and built by Diego Simeone, in which Savić is one of the key factors, and for years.

The Montenegrin ace won literally every aerial duel, and apart from the details from the first half, when Fred deceived him with unreal dribbling, in the style of Ronaldinho, he never "hung" in one-on-one situations, even though he had Ronaldo, Sancho, Rashford, Kavanija and Elangu.

Savić has recently had minor problems with injuries, he played, for example, only 19 out of 28 matches in La Liga, and this was only his third game in the Champions League this season.

His absence, as well as the fact that he is not in full competitive continuity due to injuries, greatly influenced that Atlético is not competitive on the domestic stage in the fight for the top of the table and that he lost the chance to defend the title.

In the last championship season, the 31-year-old from Mojkov was a dominant figure, one of the most deserving of winning the title, according to all Spanish media, the best defensive player in La Liga.

That is why his form and his health status will be of inestimable importance for Atlético's further journey in the Champions League, and in the finish of La Liga, in which the goal is one of the first four places...