Real Madrid’s surprise defeat against struggling Valencia has made La Liga open and enthralling once more ahead of the paramount encounter between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. The hosts, thought to be potential title challenger, are having an unimpressive league journey so far as they were placed fourth in the league table with only one point ahead of Real Sociedad ( with a game in hand) ahead of the fixture and were in desperate need of a victory against the travelling Barca squad to ensure at least a top-four finish to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League competition.
However, things went horribly wrong for the Rojiblancos as Diego Simeone’s men suffered a heart-breaking 1-2 home defeat via Lionel Messi’s late strike that has now jeopardised their top four hopes.
The Best And The Worst Atletico Madrid Players Rated From Their Defeat Against Barcelona
Jan Oblak: 6
Oblak was splendid denying Messi in the first half but failed to resist his late winner. The Slovenian custodian was not at fault in either of Barcelona’s goals.
Sime Vrsaljko: 5
Had an ordinary display and often outplayed by Neymar. Whipped in a few crosses but should have been more combative and composed defensively.
Stefan Savic: 5.5
Savic made a few good blocks and interceptions. Did well to block Messi’s first-time shot, however, he could have done nothing to deny the Argentine score from the rebound. Was vulnerable in set-pieces and not well positioned while conceding the first one.
Diego Godin: 6
Did well initially to contain Lionel Messi but was out-muscled by Suarez while conceding the first goal. Scored a glancing header to level the scoreline; should have done more from a defensive point of view.
Felipe Luiz: 5
Failed to deal with the trickery of Luis Suarez and was caught in possession repeatedly. Had a decent start with a few overlap runs and crosses but he lost it completely towards the end. An evening to forget for the Brazilian.
Gabi: 5
The skipper, too, had an unimpressive outing despite providing physicality and experience in midfield. Should have done better with a few half chances. Was at fault while Barca’s opener as he took his eye off Rafinha who broke forward to slot past Oblak.
Koke: 6
Koke was decent from set-pieces and his accurate delivery from free-kick helped Godin finding the equaliser. Was denied by Ter Stegan at early stages.
Saul Niguez: 5
Was largely unnoticed and failed to operate from the right-hand flank. Looked fatigued towards the end.
Yannick Carrasco: 5.5
Had an impressive start with direct runs and threatening deliveries inside the penalty box. Was off-paced during the second half and was replaced by Fernando Torres soon after conceding the opening goal of the game.
Antoine Griezmann: 6.5
The agile Frenchman was pacy as always; his high pressing was troublesome for Barca who were repeatedly caught in possession as he muddled their key men to control the game from midfield. Had a couple of opportunities to break the deadlock within first half an hour. His thumping strike towards the top right-hand corner of the net was tipped over the top of the crossbar by Ter Stegan. Lacked support from his attackers and well contained by Umtiti and Pique late into the game.
Kevin Gameiro: 5
Gameiro, who has been in great form lately, failed to create anything spectacular and was out-muscled by Pique repeatedly. Had to made way for Angel Correa soon after Godin’s header.
Substitutes
Fernando Torres: 5
Torres came in place of Carrasco and was denied a late equaliser by Pique who made a vital clearance before letting him unleash a close-range half-volley.
Angel Correa: 5
He came in place of Gameiro after Godin’s equaliser. However, he failed to do anything noteworthy except getting booked for a late challenge and injuring Mathieu in the process within two minutes of his arrival.
