Atlético Madrid 1-0 Athletic Bilbao: Player Ratings

Jan Oblak

Just had one shot to save from Oihan Sancet in the first half. Didn’t go long with many of his first half passes, as winning second balls against a hungry Athletic Club is a fool’s errand. Oblak didn’t go short, either. He went wide, hitting Molina and De Paul in an attempt to bypass Athletic’s press and to avoid giving it away in central areas. Ended up having two saves to make in total. Quiet, uneventful night — 7.

Nahuel Molina

Heavily involved in the first half and set Llorente free down the right with a lovely through ball on one occasion. Second-most touches on the team after Koke — 7.

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Jose Giménez

A quiet first half for Giménez but got booked for dissent after a rash challenge by Dani García on Molina only merited a yellow. Headed over a half-chance from a De Paul cross in the second half, doing well to reach it at all. Made a number of clearances in the second half too but a quiet night for the Uruguayan in all — 6.

Mario Hermoso

A tough day at the office, having to chase Iñaki Williams between the channels, but he coped well in the first half. With Athletic not playing a traditional number nine, Hermoso had a relatively quiet night defensively too with his customary long switches a key facet of Atlético Madrid’s tactics. He did fine — 6.

Reinildo

A one-man wrecking machine. Won all seven of his duels in the first half, the most by any Atlético player. He sometimes got caught by Iñaki in behind but dealt well with him generally in the first half and wiped out his brother Nico as well. He won the ball back more times than any Atlético player (10) on the night and led the team in tackles as well as tackles won — 8.

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Marcos Llorente

Not much joy for Llorente in the first half, as he had just one touch inside the penalty area. Delivered a dainty cross to Carrasco at the back post at the start of the second half that almost resulted in a goal. Continued to get further forward in the second half, pressing well and winning the ball back for a free kick in a dangerous position. A few glimpses of the old Llorente and he looked dangerous as Atlético tried to counter later, but he had no luck — 7.

Koke

Controlled the game well and ran the hard yards dutifully. More passes than any Atlético player, maybe not quite as influential in the final third as you’d like — 6.

Rodrigo de Paul

All of the good things De Paul brings to the table were there in the first half, but many of the bad too. More passes inside the final third than any Atlético player in the first half, but he was booked for an elbow on Oihen Sancet with the ball in the air and that possibly conditioned his substitution on the hour. Pablo Barrios replaced him — 5.

Yannick Carrasco

Had Atlético’s best chance of the first half but Julen Agirrezabala saved well with his foot. Looked to take on Athletic Club whenever he got the ball at his feet but another unproductive opening 45 by the Belgian. Really good chance at the start of the second half too but foiled at the near post again by Agirrezabala. Still stuck on one league goal this season — 5.

Antoine Griezmann

Made four clearances in the first half, the most by any Atlético player but got much more involved in attack in the second half. He was everywhere across the attacking line and caused problems for Athletic Club for the entirety. Broke through on 73 minutes and drove home a lovely goal to give Atlético the win — 9.

Angel Correa

A rough hour for the Argentine. Couldn’t get anything going against an aggressive Athletic Club defense — 5.

Substitutes

Pablo Barrios

Came on for De Paul after an hour. Played in a similar role and added energy to proceedings, taking 43 touches in just half an hour. Won the ball back a number of times and helped Atlético subdue Athletic Club as they looked for an equaliser. Another very promising performance — 7.

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Álvaro Morata

Difficult for Morata, who was suffocated by Athletic’s defense. Had to scrap for everything he got and did get on the end of one chance that Griezmann created for him, but he flashed it wide — 6.

Memphis Depay

Replaced Carrasco after 72 minutes. Nothing really worked for him as Atlético tried to rush counters up in his direction. On another night, he might get one of those chances and take it but not tonight — 6.

Saul Niguez

Came on late as Griezmann was exhausted. Also a chance for the fans to applaud their hero on the night — N/A.