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          How Atletico remains a contender

          A formation change could benefit Mario Mandzukic, right, and Atletico Madrid. Denis Doyle/Getty Images
          • Adrian Melville, ESPN Insider
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            • Joined ESPN in 2013 as a soccer Insider
            • Worked previously at NBC, Major League Soccer and Opta (UK)
            • Played college soccer at Princeton and professionally for the New England Revolution and Santo Andre, a second-division club in Brazil
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          Jan 6, 2015, 03:00 PM ET

          Atletico Madrid's 2013-14 La Liga title was an exciting story, but not one that was supposed to last. This season, Real Madrid and Barcelona were supposed to integrate their star signings and reclaim their place at the top of La Liga, while Atletico was supposed to once again fade into the background after losing lead striker Diego Costa, left-back Filipe Luis and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea.