Atlético Madrid player ratings vs. Athletic Bilbao

Jan Oblak

Didn’t have a save to make in the first half. Claimed a few crosses but injured himself in the second half and had to be replaced. Not a great sight for Atlético Madrid fans, with such a hectic schedule coming up — 6.

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Nahuel Molina

Looked to switch off on a good early chance for Iñaki Williams. And he did the same again later in the second half, forcing a brilliant save from Ivo Grbić. He looked more comfortable with De Paul in front of him than he has in previous weeks even if he never really did much attacking, but Molina was still shaky at times — 6.

Stefan Savić

Looks comfortable in a back four and helped Giménez shutting down Iñaki Williams all game. Athletic Club never really troubled through the centre but he made seven clearances, one behind Giménez who led Atlético with eight — 7.

Jose Giménez

He was booked later in the first half for swinging a wild kick at Iñaki. Unclear if he caught him, but it was a silly thing to do. One of Athletic’s ways to create chances is through crosses, but Giménez cleared time and again — 8.

Reinildo

Took Nico Williams out of the game in the first half with his excellent defending. Created a great chance for Koke early on too with a pass through Athletic Club’s defense. Nico was replaced and Iñaki went out to the right, but it was the same outcome. Saved one off the line and blocked a shot with his head late on. Incredible performance — 10.

Geoffrey Kondogbia

A masterclass in defensive midfield from Kondogbia. He won the ball back 14 times and kept Iker Muniain quiet throughout. Helped out by Simeone’s tactics, with De Paul and Lemar slightly more narrow, but he was everywhere on defense and back in form — 9.

Koke

Tucked in beside Kondogbia to prevent Athletic from moving the ball through the middle and it worked perfectly. One of his quietest, but most effective, games in an Atlético shirt — 7.

Rodrigo de Paul

Heavily involved in the final third with nine passes in the final third, but he struggled in the middle with a number of fouls and struggled to keep the ball — he lost possession 14 times in the first half. One of the only Atlético players who didn’t play particularly well — 6.

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

Thomas Lemar

Rock-solid defensively and proved his worth with this performance. He was involved in 14 duels during the game and worked hard without ever being a threat going the other way. Remains a solid option for Simeone, even though he will probably only be played in specific situations — 8.

Antoine Griezmann

One of his most active halves this season in the first 45. He started well in the second half too, scoring within two minutes of kickoff. It was his 13th goal against Athletic Club and his 100th for Atlético in LaLiga — 9.

Álvaro Morata

Took an early first half goal very well before it was ruled out, as he clipped the back of Yeray’s leg. He kept his head down and kept working, ultimately creating Atlético’s opener for Griezmann. Got a little hot-headed later in the game and was replaced eventually after a solid night’s work — 8.

Substitutes

Ivo Grbić

Made two excellent saves when he came on for Oblak. A good sign for Atlético, as he might have to play a few more games in the coming weeks — 7.

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Saúl Ñíguez

Came on for Koke late on and played beside Kondogbia.

Angel Correa

Atlético were defending for their lives when he came on.

Axel Witsel

Booked for a dive in the penalty area and missed a clearance, but not on long enough to make an impact on general play.

João Félix

Not on long enough to make an impact.