Is there any change in Atletico's football this season? I'd wondered if there may be any introspection from Simeone after the RBL defeat
Yeah very much so, I think on average they're topping Barça and Real's possession this season as well (although after a game vs Barcelona that could always have turned around though).
Pretty much every season Simeone tries to play more offensively in the beginning, which sometimes starts out well, but then they need it magic is gone after 1-2 games, a defensive approach works once and then he sticks to the safer choice again.
But this time it seems to work much longer than just the beginning, with just a few missteps. Joao is carrying the team up front and Correa is actually composed. Suarez adds some movement/positioning that makes the team tick in ways that didn't happen before. Koke is much more of a solid playmaker now than a great work horse with an excellent pass, but mostly when given the time to prepare it. I feel like he's also much more confident defensively, which makes the Thomas loss much more bearable.
I kinda feel that this new type of play shows Saúl's limitations a bit more, who seemed to shine more like Griezmann did, by having to focus (offensively) on the more spare moments to perform and surprise the opponents instead of trying dominate more consistently. (With Savic it actually feels the other way around, and I trust him more than in all his previous seasons). Llorente surprisingly becoming a great offensive midfielder/supporting striker in the second half of last season was a very pleasant surprise too, especially since he was bought to replace Rodri haha.
You do notice that when Koke or Joao is missing that the team lacks a lot in the moving forward and dominating, though. And having Gimenez back in the back is so much more comfortable too! Hope he stays fit more consistently this season.
The only player I wouldn't build on right now is Herrera, but he is useful enough until Kondogbia and Torreira are comfortable enough to carry more responsibilities.