Manchester City 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Player ratings

Starting XI:

Oblak

The goalkeeper didn’t actually have much to do at the Etihad, and was beaten with one of only two shots on target. He was not at all to blame for Kevin De Bruyne’s 70th-minute goal, and looked calm and collected throughout the rest of the evening, commanding his box well. 5

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Lodi

The Brazilian was surprisingly disciplined on the left flank and proved he could take up a role for which he has previously not been considered reliable enough. Still learning how to be quite as physical as some of his team-mates, he was drawn into some naïve fouls early on and became more lax in his defending as the tie wore on, allowing Manchester City the chance to break through later on. 5

Reinildo

Caught out for the goal, he stepped up too high and dived in needlessly, leaving space for De Bruyne to break through. It was the kind of momentary defensive lapse which Diego Simeone’s side simply couldn’t afford to make. As good as he had been for much of the tie up to that point, such a costly error is one which could make all the difference. 4

Felipe

Given the expectations that some had pre-match, Felipe was very impressive. He dominated everything that came in aerially as Manchester City grew more frustrated. He positioned himself well and was not drawn out at all, as he had been earlier this season against Liverpool in his last visit to England. He handled his weaknesses and read the game superbly to adapt. 6.5

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Savić

Stepping up as the leader in José Giménez’s absence, Savić was the man who provided the last-ditch blocks and clearances when required. He was the one organising the back line from the right of the back three and looked reliable throughout. Protected well from any wide threat by Šime Vrsaljko, he was confident and sound. 6

Vrsaljko

Much like Felipe, Vrsaljko had a point to prove and he proved it. Defensively solid throughout, Raheem Sterling couldn’t get anything out of him when he drifted wide and Vrsaljko did an excellent job standing his ground on the right without being caught out at all. Jack Grealish couldn’t find a way past him either, and the ball almost always ended up going back where it came from when City tried to attack down Vrsaljko’s flank. 6.5

Koke

Taken off on 60 minutes, it’s impossible to imagine that the captain had anything left in him by the time he trudged off. Having covered every blade of grass in the middle, he did everything that was unspectacular but required in the middle of the park. He was key to keeping De Bruyne quiet. 6

Kondogbia

Like Reinildo, Kondogbia being beaten by Phil Foden was a moment which let down his entire evening. He was less at fault than Reinildo, but was blindsided by the substitute and his energy and was beaten again later on by the youngster. He had been snappy in the middle, looking to break up play every time Man City came close to breaking through. 4.5

Llorente

Llorente’s pace was crucial as Atlético Madrid looked to get forward, but he also offered some important cover for Vrsaljko on the right. Occasionally caught out and needing to track back a little more, he was a cog in the midfield machine that never particularly stood out. Had he timed his run a little better in the first half and stayed onside, he could have had a much bigger say in the evening. 5.5

Félix

Simeone could never say the Portugal forward didn’t fit into the system and do what he was asked to do tonight. Pressing intensely from the off, he didn’t lower his guard as he has at times in the past, and his movement in behind the full-backs was one of Atleti's few attacking threats. He’ll be relishing a second leg with more offensive threat. 6

Griezmann

If ever there were a tie where Griezmann could show why Simeone loves him quite so much, it was this one. Pressing from the front, he had one key breakaway chance in the early stages of the second half. Perhaps surprising to see him taken off on the hour mark, but with the intensity he was playing with, it was clear to see what the plan was. 6

Subs:

De Paul

One of his first involvements was to send Grealish flying and pick up a yellow card. After that, he vanished without a glimpse, and all too often City would breeze past him in midfield. 4

Correa

Correa’s sole contribution was to join De Paul in doing all he could to wind up Grealish by smashing a ball into him while on the floor. He produced little of note beyond that and lacked the energetic spark that has made him such a useful impact player. 4.5

Cunha

Even in the first few minutes he was on the field, the Brazilian looked to transition the ball in possession effectively and dribbled further than most Atleti players had all night. 5

Lemar

Atleti’s weakness in the second period came down the left, and Lemar did little to shore that up. His pressing was good, but he was guilty of going a little too far up the pitch. 4