ATM XI: Grbić; Witsel, Hermoso, Reinildo; Molina, de Paul (Cunha 75’), Kondogbia, Lemar (Koke 46’), Carrasco (Saúl 85’); Correa (João Félix 63’), Morata (Griezmann 63’).

Goals: Correa 9’ de Paul 50’ Carrasco 66’ Núñez own goal 82’

CEL XI: Marchesín; Mallo, Aidoo, Núñez, Galán; Tapia (Solari 63’); Pérez (Veiga 52’), Beltrán, Cervi; Larsen, Aspas.

Goals: Gabri Veiga 72’

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Ivo Grbic

Called into action a minute into his first-ever LaLiga start and he responded well, denying Strand Larsen from close range. He saved another from Hugo Mallo shortly after. Couldn’t save from Gabri Veiga’s low strike at his near post and could have done better. Not entirely convincing, but not a bad first start — 6.

Reinildo

Shielded the ball well on more than one occasion, halting many of Celta’s attacks. Reinildo opted to keep possession simply with short passes up the flank, often to Yannick Carrasco — 7.

Mario Hermoso

A nightmare start for a man who is struggling with confidence. He had only played 33 minutes this season prior to Saturday and has still somehow managed to become one of the most talked-about players. From jumping into the stand after the Villarreal game to confront fans to scoring a goal and then conceding a penalty late on against Porto, Hermoso knows how to make headlines. The night’s captain settled in after that slow start, which included gifting the deadly Iago Aspas a chance to equalize. It’s to his credit, as it looked like he would be replaced before half-time — 5.

Axel Witsel

Showed his versatility again in the defensive third, making multiple important tackles and and completing 100 percent of his 38 passes. — 6.

Yannick Carrasco

Not the most exciting or productive start to the season for the Belgian, but he is still capable of magic. He produced some in the second half, when he picked the ball up on the half-way line and turned Hugo Mallo inside out before drilling it home to give Atlético Madrid a 3-0 lead — 7.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Nahuel Molina

Life in Madrid has not been plain sailing for the Argentine right-back. He was involved in the opening goal, putting the ball into De Paul’s path. The defender covered a lot of ground in his many drives up the field. He looks a touch uncomfortable still, but he did well enough in the end — 6.

Geoffrey Kondogbia

Still looks jittery on the ball and liable to make a mistake. But he offers Atlético much more stability at the base of midfield than what Simeone has opted for in recent weeks. Allows the other midfielders to be slightly more adventurous — 6.

Rodrigo de Paul

Scored his first goal of the season on 50 minutes thanks to a deflected effort, capping one of his better performances in red and white. De Paul’s first time pass found a sprinting Correa, who opened up the scoring inside 10 minutes. For his own goal, the 28-year-old ran onto Koke’s lay-off to strike the ball past Marchesín — 8.

Thomas Lemar

Replaced at half-time. He wasn’t bad per se in the opening 45, but not what the team needed and suffered for that. Koke came in at the break in his place — 4.

Alvaro Morata

Trying to create from scraps at times. Remains an energetic figure up top for Atlético and active in his pressing. Made a number of runs forward in the second half before being replaced. Luck was against him, but a good game from a player who consistently offers something even when he’s not at his best — 7.

Angel Correa

Scored a cracking goal early on and drifted out of the game after that. Replaced after 63 minutes but did what he is picked for, and that’s scoring goals — 6.

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

Substitutes

Koke

Came on at half-time and made an immediate impact, laying off a pass to Rodrigo de Paul for Atlético’s second. That goal eased pressure on the Rojiblancos and Koke was able to play his customary role, linking play and organizing in the middle. He’s more suited to that role with a player like Kondogbia beside him — 7.

Antoine Griezmann

On for his now-standard 30-minute cameo. He made Atlético look a lot more dynamic than they did without him. It’s a pity he can’t play more than 30 minutes a night. Very active in midfield role, and deeper than he is used to — 7.

Joao Felix

Got himself into some really nice positions but Carrasco scored and Cunha after that when Félix was inside waiting for the pass. Looked quite frustrated to have started on the bench and struggled to make an impact — 5.

Matheus Cunha

Came on and looked very lively, having missed the past couple games through injury. Plays in a similar way to Morata and causes damage with his speed and direct running. Got a goal (which was eventually deemed an own goal) thanks to a run from inside his own half. Promising signs — 7.

Saúl Ñíguez

Couldn’t make much of an impact with such limited time. —N/A