Atletico Madrid centre-back Stefan Savic has barely stopped playing since he overcame a muscular injury to take part in the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia.
What seemed like an impenetrable back line, due to fleeting return to good form from Felipe Augusto and Diego Simeone's confidence with Jose Gimenez, has since opened itself up to the Montenegrin after Uruguayan's injury.
Savic seized the opportunity by putting in an excellent performance in the first-leg clash against Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Although Savic had to dust off some cobwebs to start with, his confidence and performances have gone from strength to strength since Simeone gave him more game time.
Savic has now played five consecutive matches in LaLiga Santander, staying on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, and he is now keeping Gimenez out of the side.
Diego Simeone was quick to sing the praises of his squad.
"I am excited that they are all in the team, it makes us more competitive, and you generate internal competition," he noted.
"It is what I need in the team. It has happened upfront and also with Gimenez and Savic, or with [Mario] Hermoso in defence.
"This competition is what makes the team grow."
The 29-year-old will certainly be hoping that his burgeoning partnership with Felipe at the heart of Los Rojiblancos' defence remains solid, as the side aims to compensate for a poor start to the 2019/2020 season.