Real Sociedad 2-0 Atlético Madrid: Copa del Rey player ratings

Oblak

Atlético Madrid’s defenders colluded to let in the opening goal, despite Oblak’s best efforts to track the ball. Similarly had no chance to stop Alexander Sørloth’s second goal against Atleti in as many games. Later saves on Sørloth and David Silva kept the scoreline respectable. 6.5

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Vrsaljko

Left Aritz Elustondo unmarked for a free header inside five minutes. Felipe then knocked him off balance as Adnan Januzaj snuck a header over the line on 33 minutes. 4

Felipe

Genuinely one of the worst performances I can recall from an Atlético defender.

Felipe’s confidence on the ball is really admirable, given he is more likely to lose possession than complete a dribble or make a positive pass. And his defending cannot be considered “defending” in the traditional, or even literal, sense. The Brazilian’s positional understanding seems to have disappeared. He doesn’t read the game intelligently. He collided with Šime Vrsaljko to allow Januzaj to open the scoring, then gave away the ball to Sørloth immediately after halftime, creating the second goal on 47 minutes.

I have defended Felipe vigorously in the past, but I cannot imagine Atlético will see fit to extend his contract. Diego Simeone and the club should look to replace him right away. —

Hermoso

Distribution looked improved in the first half, but he was booked for a dangerous tackle on Aihen Muñoz as his defensive struggles continue. 4.5

Lodi

Forced into action defensively and made a goal-saving block inside the opening 10 minutes. 4.5

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De Paul

Showed drive and a battling mentality throughout the first half, but his so-called “best version” will not appear until Atlético go to the market and balance out the midfield so that he doesn’t have to play as a pivot. 5.5

Herrera

Not a fit for this kind of game against a high-intensity, high-pressure opponent. But Herrera had a decent first 45 and passed the ball relatively well under pressure throughout. 6

Koke

Tried to win a penalty late in the opening half, but referee Alberola Rojas didn’t bite. 3

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Carrasco

Had Atlético’s first big chance, striking the post in the 15th minute after breaking into open space. Free kick deliveries were exceedingly poor. 4

Correa

Quiet, uninvolved first half. 3

Félix

Like many opponents do, Real Sociedad keyed in on Félix and fouled him often — three times within the first 30 minutes. He struck the post late in the first half but was ruled offside. The Portuguese was not involved again until his rising shot landed in the stands with 15 minutes to go. 5

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Cunha

Replaced Correa on 55 minutes. Álex Remiro stopped him from close range in the 80th minute, the first instance where he received service around the penalty area. 4.5

Lemar

Replaced Lodi on 55 minutes. Spent a lot of time in the Brazilian’s position as a makeshift left-back. Worked hard and played a few tantalizing passes, but he never looked comfortable. 4.5

Suárez

Replaced Koke on 55 minutes. First touch looked heavy and he played too far from goal to make an impact, though he did set up Matheus Cunha’s big chance. 4

Serrano

Replaced De Paul on 78 minutes. The Atlético B midfielder grabbed this chance with both hands, demonstrating charisma and personality missing elsewhere in the first team. With Atlético realistically competing only for top four in LaLiga, his development into a future first-team player should be toward the top of Simeone’s agenda for the remainder of the season. 6

Carlos Martín

Replaced Carrasco on 78 minutes. The teenaged attacker looked lively but didn’t get many opportunities on the ball. N/A