Atlético de Madrid 2-0 Elche CF: Player Ratings

Starting XI:

Jan Oblak

Had a relatively quiet game in net. Elche failed to penetrate the Atlético Madrid backline for most of the match. In the last minutes of the game, Oblak made a diving save on Pedro Bigas to keep his clean sheet. —6

Carrasco

Utilized heavily on the left side in the first half, getting into positions to work one-on-one against Helibelton Palacios and Diego González. Carrasco won enough space to cut inside and send in a few crosses, but nothing too dangerous. After Mario Hermoso’s red card, he was subbed off for another defender in Sergio Reguilón. –5.5

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Mario Hermoso

A game of two halves from the defender. In the first, his distribution was key to creating Atlético’s best passages of play, specifically when anyone found a galloping Álvaro Morata. After halftime, the defender picked up two yellow cards in three minutes and was sent off. —3

José Giménez

Got his body in front of the ball for clearances as part of a battling display. His partnership with Stefan Savić kept Elche forwards Roger Martí and Lucas Boyé without a single shot attempt. –6

Stefan Savić

Unafraid of a hard tackle or heavy contact going for an interception. The Montenegrin player of the year had a solid night at the Metropolitano, taking a game-high 102 touches to boot. —6

Marcos Llorente

Largely unused in the first half, when much of the team’s attack came from the left-hand side. Grew into the match later with more involvement and more than a few balls into the box, one of which led to João Félix’s goal. Was asked to take on more of a defensive role after Atlético went down to ten men, which put him in some uncomfortable positions, but did enough to get the job done. —6.5

Antoine Griezmann

Suiting a new hot-pink haircut, Griezmann dropped deep to receive, distribute, and build attacks from an interior position. He set up João Félix with a quick chip to pick up an assist on 56 minutes, then picked out Morata on a penalty area run in the 74th minute. —7

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

Geoffrey Kondogbia

Loose and nervy with the ball at his feet. Had a couple long-range cracks, but he’ll want to forget this match. —4

Pablo Barrios

Once settled in, the 19-year-old put on a very strong performance in the middle of the pitch. His dribbling and passing (89 percent accuracy) were vital in helping the Colchoneros keep possession and create opportunities in the final third. A name to watch for the future. —7

Álvaro Morata

Elusive for the Elche defense, opting to made diagonal darts across the field to receive passes into the final third. Put in a lot of effort in, which paid off in the 74th minute, when the Spaniard’s shot took a wild deflection off Omar Mascarell and ended up in the back of the net. He also provoked Elche sub Domingos Quina’s late red card. —7

Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images

João Félix

Connected well with Griezmann, with several nifty flicks and back-heels. Got in position to score the first goal in the 56th minute, nodding in a header from a few yards out. —7

Subs:

Sergio Regulión

Came on for Carrasco in the 56th minute and maintained Atlético’s advantage on the left side with forward runs and positive passing. –5.5

Thomas Lemar

Replaced João Félix in the 65th minute. Drove forward at every opportunity, a good showcase for his agile and nimble style. —5

Koke

Replaced Barrios with about 10 minutes to go. Couldn’t get much going in such limited time. —N/A

Saúl

Similar to Koke, he didn’t have much of an impact in his limited minutes. –N/A