Atlético de Madrid 3-1 Villarreal CF: Player Ratings

Starting XI:

Oblak

The Yellow Submarine had a number of decent opportunities, with many — especially in the first half — coming from inside the 18-yard box. Oblak conceded the game’s opening goal to Gerard Moreno in the 20th minute after he made an initial save on Alexander Sørloth. But Oblak slapped aside another effort later from Sørloth, and he finished the match with six saves. 6.5

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Riquelme

Was able to make his way up the field and uncorked five shots, but he had a mixed performance overall. Riquelme didn’t get much defensive help from Saúl or Mario Hermoso and completed only one dribble. 6

Hermoso

With the ball, Hermoso did well to recycle the play and shift the point of attack with quick passes out wide. Defensively, Hermoso was a bit scattered and struggled in one-on-one matchups with Moreno and Yéremy Pino. 5.5

Witsel

The Belgian was forced into some tough, isolated defensive moments early, having to deal with Sørloth’s runs on the left. But before halftime, Witsel got his reward and scored his first-ever goal for the club. After getting the better of defender Alberto Moreno in the box, the 34-year-old met the end of an Antoine Griezmann cross and leveled the scores in first-half stoppage time. 7

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Giménez

Swept up loose balls from the opposition when their attempts for a quick counter were off the mark. Cleared the ball well when there was pressure in his area, giving the team some time to breathe. 5.5

Molina

Molina found time and space out wide to send in an array of crosses. The defender lofted in a total of five balls into the box, most of which came in the first half. But the World Cup winner’s efforts were foiled by a narrow Villarreal setup. 6

Saúl

Floated around the pitch, making quick passes to continue the play. Had an audacious shot from outside the 18 before being substituted for Marcos Llorente in the second half. 5

Koke

Completed 90 of his 94 attempted passes and took the game by the scruff of its neck in the second half. His lofted ball to a running Llorente late in the match set up Atlético Madrid’s winning goal. 7

De Paul

Flaunting his blonde-dyed hair, de Paul was another who tried to take advantage of all the space Villarreal conceded on the flanks. He finished with three key passes, but Atlético were more disciplined tactically following his substitution. 6

Morata

Did everything he could to put his name on the scoresheet, but narrowly missed a few chances and struggled to stay onside. 4.5

Griezmann

Patient on the ball, finding time to pass into dangerous areas or find a look on goal. Assisted Axel Witsel’s first-half goal with a pinpoint pass across the six-yard box. In the second half, 10 minutes from time, Griezmann finished off Llorente’s cross and scored his 169th goal for the club — tying Adrián Escudero for the second-most goals in club history. 7.5

Subs:

Llorente

Replaced Saúl at halftime and immediately proved more dynamic and able to stretch the Villarreal defense in more productive ways. Picked up an assist on Griezmann’s goal with a low cross to the Frenchman. 7

Correa

Worked to cause problems for Villarreal with quick movement and footwork. Completed two dribbles and helped open up space for others. 5

Lino

On the left-hand side, Lino picked up where Rodrigo Riquelme left off and utilized the space that Villarreal gave him. In the 85th minute, he made a darting run up the flank to receive the ball from Pablo Barrios, and he scored for a second game running with a strike past Filip Jörgensen. 7

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Barrios

Came on for Nahuel Molina in the second half. His impact came late in the match, receiving the ball and breaking two lines of Villarreal’s defense with his dribbling up the field. The 20-year-old was able to pick out the sprinting Samuel Lino to set up his goal. 7

Söyüncü

Came on with minutes to go in the match. Couldn’t make much of an impact with his limited time. N/A