Atlético de Madrid 5-1 Cádiz CF: Player Ratings

Grbić

Started in place of Jan Oblak for a third game in a row. Faced one shot in the first half and watched it sail wide. Maybe slightly out of position on Anthony Lozano’s 71st-minute golazo, but the Cádiz forward placed it really well. 6

Molina

No rest for Nahuel, as Diego Simeone opted to roll out the same starting 11 for the third consecutive game (especially as Cádiz elected to make nine changes). Was quiet but effective for much of the game. Made up for a defensive mistake (not closing down Lozano) by scoring for the second time in his many games, a composed finish from close range. 7.5

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Witsel

Cádiz targeted his side in both halves, on those rare occasions the visitors had the ball. He didn’t offer much security on the ball, and we know all about his physical level. The experienced Belgian has already secured an automatic one-year contract extension, but the club has to bring in competition for him — Leicester’s Çaglar Söyüncü is best-placed. 5.5

Giménez

Organized the defense well but had little to do with Atlético Madrid dominating possession. Played the full 90 after a scary fall in the penalty area during a set piece. 6.5

Hermoso

Became an inverted pivot when Atlético had possession, joining Koke in the middle to keep and circulate the ball. Misplaced only one pass in the first half and was hardly troubled at the back. Assisted Álvaro Morata’s 49th-minute goal with a short looped cross inside the penalty area. 8

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Carrasco

Assisted Antoine Griezmann’s early goal, finding the Frenchman to his right where he had little visible space in which to operate. Booked midway through the first half for a bad foul on Théo Bongonda, and Cádiz would have equalized from the ensuing set piece had Momo Mbaye not headed home from an offside position. Buried a 57th-minute spot kick to put the result beyond any doubt. 8

Koke

Superb in the first half, linking moves together with crisp, short passes. Continued to dictate proceedings and boss the midfield in the second half, offering calm and control over 100-plus touches. 8

De Paul

Bad giveaway on 10 minutes sent Álvaro Negredo through on goal, but the veteran’s effort buzzed wide. Alejo challenged de Paul physically, but the World Cup winner seemed to enjoy the battle. He assisted Nahuel Molina’s 73rd-minute goal with a through ball — the right-back popped the shot beyond Conan Ledesma to finish the move. 7.5

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Lemar

Simeone has said recently that Lemar offers everything Atlético need from a midfield-to-attack link — except end product. Consider the message received. Lemar picked up a hockey assist on the game’s first goal and nabbed a primary assist on former international teammate Griezmann’s second goal with a quick penalty area layoff. Early in the second half, he provoked Atleti’s first penalty this season via a cross Rubén Alcaraz handled with his arm. 8

Griezmann

Opened the scoring in the second minute, his 12th league goal this season. Didn’t have much space — any, really — but took Yannick Carrasco’s short pass and drilled it past Ledesma at the far post. Wasn’t done there, scoring again on 27 minutes after a lovely one-two with Thomas Lemar and a powerful sliding finish. The best player in LaLiga, simple as. 9.5

Morata

Forced Ledesma into a good save with a bullet header early on. Went down multiple times inside the penalty area to no avail, lashed a rebound off the crossbar as well. But as he did against Valladolid last weekend, Morata added Atlético’s third goal — his 13th of the year — after taking down Mario Hermoso’s cross and turning it behind Ledesma. 7.5

Correa

Replaced Carrasco in the 64th minute. Carried on after he went down painfully late on and appeared to injure his knee. Dispossessed multiple times, largely kept under wraps around the penalty area. 4.5

Barrios

Replaced Morata in the 71st minute. The 19-year-old has fallen in the pecking order a bit as Lemar and Rodrigo de Paul have found some form but continues to add minutes and play with confidence. N/A

Reguilón

Replaced Lemar in the 71st minute. A rare appearance for the ex-Real Madrid full-back, who looked to cut inside and exchange passes with Pablo Barrios. N/A

Doherty

Replaced Molina in the 86th minute. The Ireland international made only his second appearance for the club and didn’t have much time to stand out. N/A