Atlético Madrid 1-0 Getafe CF: Morata, Trippier stand out in slim win

Starting XI:

Oblak (6): ​Getafe had zero shots on target in the match. The new vice captain took charge and reliably caught whatever came his way.

Trippier (8): ​Trippier stretched the visitors’ defense with his persistence presence high up the flank. Whenever he got the ball out wide, the England international either played a ball down the line or sent in a cross. In the 23rd minute, one of those crosses lead to Álvaro Morata’s goal.

Savić (7.5):​ Savić completed passes confidently and accurately and won several headers. He blocked two dangerous Getafe free kicks late in the second half.

Giménez (7):​ With Godín gone, the torch has been passed from one Uruguayan to another. Josema had a quiet game by his standards, but he covered ground quickly and didn’t make really any errors.

Lodi (2):​ An absolutely horrific start to life at Atlético Madrid from Lodi, who was sent off after he accrued two yellow cards in as many minutes.

Koke (7):​ The captain picked up where he left off. Busy as ever, Koke still controlled the tempo of the match with distribution of the ball — accurate to the tune of 90 percent.

Saúl (6.5):​ Saúl was Atlético’s best midfielder in the first half and came out strong with his dribbling and passing. After the Lodi red card, he was moved to left back (ugh) but eventually made his way back to defensive midfield. He committed a few too many fouls and picked up a booking.

Thomas (6):​ The Ghanaian disrupted the opposition’s buildup and flow. He won the ball back often and his direct passing was needed to start the match.

Lemar (5.5):​ The Frenchman wasn’t up to par, a tough way to start what is expected to be a breakout season. He was dispossessed too easily and his passing was below standard, registering at only 75 percent.

Félix (7):​ João Félix overcame a quiet first half to show real flashes of his skill early in the second. In the 55th minute, he began a great run from inside his own half, as he dribbled past three separate defenders and ultimately won a penalty (which Morata duly missed). After an aerial collision, Simeone subbed him off with what he later termed a cramp.

Morata (8):​ Very active early on with streaky runs across the defense, and his hold up play throughout was good. In the 23rd minute, he scored from a perfectly-placed header.

Subs:

62’ ​Hermoso (6):​ The ex-Espanyol defender did well with as a defensive left back with his three clearances.

66’ ​Llorente (5):​ Made a couple defensive interventions, but he was quiet otherwise and committed a foul which led to a dangerous free kick.

73’ ​Vitolo (6):​ He was the spark Atlético needed toward the end of the match. He wasn’t afraid to take on defenders and had a great chance to make it 2-0, but took too long and forced a kick save.