FC Porto 2-1 Atlético Madrid: Player Ratings

Whoops.

To the ratings:

Oblak

An unmarked Mehdi Taremi tapped in the opening goal inside five minutes. Kept Atlético Madrid in it with a big save on Wenderson Galeno before the 15-minute mark, but Stephen Eustáquio beat him from close range on 24 minutes, effectively sealing the game. Came up with another nice stop on Otávio in the 36th minute and played a strong second half, keeping the scoreline from getting too lopsided (though Porto were obviously the better side). 5.5

Photo by Diogo Cardoso/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Molina

After his horrorshow against Cádiz at the weekend, Molina was late to react defensively once again on Taremi’s goal and went missing on the Eustáquio goal. Can be neat and tidy in buildup play along the right flank, but we have seen very little of the explosiveness that made him a breakout player in Serie A last year — and Porto are yet another team to have exploited him defensively. 2

Savić

No reaction on Taremi’s fifth-minute goal, which the Iranian scored by waltzing into the space vacated by Atlético’s central defenders. Galeno laid Savić to waste on Porto’s second goal, outmuscling him to set up Eustáquio’s close-range strike. Booked for a bad challenge on Zaidu early in the second half. Consecutive miserable performances for the grizzled veteran. —

Giménez

No reaction on Taremi’s fifth-minute goal, which the Iranian scored by waltzing into the space vacated by Atlético’s central defenders. Positionally all over the place, though he did keep Evanilson from extending the lead to 3-0. Clean distribution from the back, and he led the team in accurate long balls (11), but without a conduit between midfield and attack — not to mention multiple misfiring forwards — those line-breaking passes went for naught. 4

Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images

Reinildo

The Mozambican was forced to fend for himself on both of Porto’s first half goals, later booked for a sloppy challenge on Otávio. As he is too limited offensively to be considered a top-drawer left-back, Atlético have to figure out the best system and best position for Reinildo, who has been a great signing for the fee paid but is also a player whose limitations are obvious. 4.5

Correa

Had a decent appeal for a penalty around the half-hour mark, his only contribution in Atlético’s empty first half. Struggled to get involved offensively, but found space in the penalty area for a 74th-minute effort that lacked any power behind it. 2.5

De Paul

Started brightly but faded quickly for the second consecutive game. His foul on Galeno while fighting for a 50-50 ball cancelled out Antoine Griezmann’s sweet 68th-minute strike. 2.5

Witsel

Showed some clever touches in midfield over the first 45 minutes and one of the only Atlético players who put in a truly professional performance. 5

Saúl

Appeared to be in a decent position to cut out Pepê’s pass to Evanilson for Taremi’s opener, but somehow missed the ball and only jogged back into position. Given his lack of attacking contribution, Saúl needs to be practically flawless defensively to stake out a viable place in this team. 3.5

Griezmann

Had zero first half shot attempts, playing in a withdrawn role. Lucky that VAR didn’t spot his 55th-minute handball in the penalty area. Had the ball in the net with a great 68th-minute finish, but it was pulled back for a foul. Made a good chance for Yannick Carrasco in added time, but Diogo Costa stopped it. Saw his streak of games with a goal contribution end at five. 3.5

João Félix

One shot attempt in the first half, a header hit so poorly it ended up at the corner flag. Costa easily handled João’s first and only shot on target, which didn’t come until the hour mark. 3

---

Carrasco

Entered for Saúl in the 60th minute. Immediately brought Atlético’s left flank to life, but Pepê mostly worked him out of the game after he had an offside shot saved. Defender Iván Marcano turned in Carrasco’s 94th-minute corner delivery as a small consolation to the Colchoneros. Though the Belgian’s end product is missing, his overall form is slowly coming back...just in time for the World Cup. 5

Cunha

Entered for João Félix in the 60th minute. Barely noticed him. —

Barrios

Entered for Correa in the 85th minute. Should have been given more time. Played confidently on his Champions League debut and helped craft a good chance for Griezmann in the dying minutes. N/A