Player Ratings: Correa winner, strong defense guide Atlético to win over Elche

Starting XI:

Oblak

Had a quiet night between the sticks, only needing make two saves and a few catches from balls sent into the box. His lack of action is a testament to the paucity of scoring chances from both teams and the work done in Atlético Madrid’s backline. –6

Saúl

Playing at left wing-back once again, the Spaniard was active in the opening minutes and his movement up the left-hand side opened the field. Saúl had one long-range crack that narrowly missed the net, but his moments of attacking presence were short-lived and he faded away as the game went on. –5

Giménez

The defender’s no-nonsense approach to the game was on full display with more than one crushing tackle and compact positioning. On the offensive end, Giménez had a thunderous header on net that Kiko Casilla saved in the 47th minute. –7

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Savić

Was calm in the back in and out of possession. Plucked the ball from the opposition multiple times and distributed it accurately. –6

Llorente

Started at the right wing-back position and could be seen making his usual darting runs up the flank. His efforts did not create as many chances as usual, which might be attributed to this more-defensive role. –6

Lemar

The Frenchman’s quickness and silky dribbling deceived his marker and opened up space in the first half. His best moment came minutes before the half, when the World Cup winner cut inside with a good move and shot the ball just wide. –7

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Kondogbia

Simeone dropped him into the center back position, and he did not disappoint. Normally a central midfielder, Kondogbia used all of his six-foot-two-inch frame to win the ball on the ground or in the air and body attackers out of the way. The fans in the Wanda appreciated his performance and applauded the Valencia man after a particularly-commanding tackle in the second half. –8

Koke

Anchored the team in midfield. The captain finished the match with 97 percent accuracy on his 59 passes. Defensively, Koke made three tackles and worked hard to win back possession for his side. –7

Rodrigo De Paul

Offered a balance between threading the needle with simple but progressive passes and lofting the ball over the top with precision — such as on his 39th minute assist for Ángel Correa. –8

Correa

Continued his good form with another goal, his third already this season. The Argentine got the ball past keeper Kiko Casilla, chopped it onto his right foot, and rocketed his shot into the top corner with the outside of his foot. Even before his goal, Correa dribbled into dangerous areas and turned defenders around more than once. –8

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Carrasco

Elche looked to subdue the Belgian’s havoc-wreaking capabilities by isolating him and tackling forcefully. Carrasco rarely had time to breathe when the ball was at his feet before pressure arrived. This tactic worked well against the converted forward who could not get much on the evening. –5

Subs:

Suárez

Came on for Lemar in the 62nd minute. Ended the match with one shot and a frustration-driven yellow. –4

Trippier

Played 28 minutes in Lemar’s stead and played some promising passes in this time. Defensively, the Englishman made some hard tackles to halt Elche’s attack. –6

Lodi

Replaced Correa with five minutes left. Won the ball with a powerful tackle deep into stoppage time, but couldn’t do much else in such limited time. –N/A