Atlético de Madrid 0-1 FC Barcelona: Player Ratings

Oblak

Called into action to stop an Andreas Christensen rasper in the opening minutes. Could do nothing about Ousmane Dembélé’s 22nd-minute strike, placed well beyond his reach after great work by Pedri and Gavi in the buildup. 5.5

Savić

The 32-year-old — one of two Atlético Madrid birthday boys on Sunday — made a vital sliding tackle to dispossess Ansu Fati as the talented FC Barcelona forward lined up a shot in the fourth minute. Sent off in the 92nd minute after putting Ferrán Torres in a headlock during an altercation around the halfway line. Still his best performance in a while, for what it’s worth. 6.5

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Giménez

Rough night at the back. Early jitters as a cheap giveaway in the center circle opened a shooting lane for Fati, but Stefan Savić hustled back to clean up the mess. Giménez then made an excellent block of his own on Fati before gifting Pedri a free run at goal — thankfully for him, Nahuel Molina got back to make the block. Had to score from Molina’s 33rd-minute cross but his flying header buzzed wide. Another lousy giveaway created a chance for substitute Raphinha late on. 3

Reinildo

Shoved by Gavi in the area before the teenager set up Dembélé’s goal — would have been a harsh foul to call given Reinildo’s size and strength, and how he had already demonstrated those qualities multiple times in the opening half. Had the net open from a 43rd-minute corner but he didn’t hit the header well enough. Missed a header that sent Dembélé clean through on the hour, though the Frenchman steered the shot into side netting. 5

Molina

Made a huge goal-saving block with Pedri just about clean through and looking to extend Barça’s lead in the first half. Had a couple sights of goal at the other end, too. 6

Carrasco

Loves a game against Barça, and enjoyed the first half of his matchup with the out-of-position Jules Koundé. His performance was more bark than bite though, and he came off without a shot attempt. 5.5

Koke

The captain turned 31 on Sunday, but he’s looking older than that. His lack of mobility cost him dearly as Pedri dribbled through him to set up the Dembélé goal. Dutiful running throughout, and more influential closer to goal in the second half, but he couldn’t play that final pass Atlético needed in the penalty area. 5

Llorente

Hit side netting on the half-hour mark as he tried to recreate the goal he scored at Oviedo in the midweek Copa del Rey clash. Drew Marc-André Ter Stegen’s attention with a skidding drive after the hour that the German couldn’t handle initially. Probably the Rojiblancos’ best player on the night. 7

Barrios

Big night for the 19-year-old, who got the vote of confidence from Diego Simeone in what is annually among Atlético’s most important games. Barrios had an early long-range effort land safely in Ter Stegen’s hands, but unfortunately was caught flat-footed as Pedri danced around him to create Dembélé’s opening goal. When the game opened up, so did he, and he showcased his vision and dribbling ability into the second half. 6

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Griezmann

Was at the heart of Atlético’s best moves. Forced Ter Stegen into an excellent save on 42 minutes and blasted over from close range before the hour. Ronald Araújo cleared the France star’s certain equalizer off the line in the 93rd minute. 6

João Félix

Another partidazo that passed him by. Was asked to be the reference point, to chase after the ball and bring others into play, but he does not possess the stamina or physical strength to perform this role effectively away from the penalty area — see his several sloppy ball losses in the first half. Inadvertently blocked an Antoine Griezmann attempt that could have tied the game had it made its way to the net. Set up a really good chance for Griezmann late in the first half, then had a long-range attempt fly well over before exiting. 3.5

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Álvaro Morata

Entered for Carrasco in the 64th minute. Atlético missed Morata’s physicality in the first half. He threw himself around after coming on but did not manage a shot attempt. 4

Geoffrey Kondogbia

Entered for Barrios in the 64th minute. Brought on to offer more solidity in the middle. Anything else — such as positive decision-making with the ball at his feet — would have been a bonus. 4

Ángel Correa

Entered for João Félix in the 73rd minute. Booked soon after coming on and didn’t really get into the game until late on, when he crafted a huge chance for Griezmann in stoppage time. 4.5

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Thomas Lemar

Entered for Koke in the 73rd minute. Lasered a shot just wide from outside the box in the dying minutes. N/A

Sergio Reguilón

Entered for Reinildo in the 81st minute. Did not have enough time to make an impact. N/A