They say the best form of defence is attack – at Wanda Metropolitano it was the other way round as titanic centre-backs Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin gave Atletico Madrid a huge 2-0 advantage in their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg clash with Juventus.
After a nip-and-tuck first half, Atleti started to turn the screw in the second and the visitors were unlucky to see a Alvaro Morata header ruled out after consultation with VAR adjudged Giorgio Chiellini was pushed in the build-up.
That wouldn’t deter the hosts, as Gimenez scored from a corner before Godin put the icing on the cake with a neat finish. Our Atleti ratings are below…
ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2)
Jan Oblak – Clawed away that rasping Ronaldo free-kick and then a similarly swerving Bernardeschi effort at the death 7
Juanfran – Wound the clock back to do a generally superb job on Ronaldo down his flank, no quarter given 7
Diego Godin – Helped Juanfran corral Ronaldo well. Did well to adjust body to fire ball goalwards for second 8
Jose Gimenez – Fastest to react from pinball in the box and made a mammoth nine clearances at back. Titan 9
Filipe Luis – Made as many touches as any Atleti player – rock solid in defence and should have had an assist 8
Saul Niguez – Work-rate was commendable as usual, weren’t many moments of ingenuity on the ball 6
Rodri – A fine player whose reputation is only getting better. Usually makes right decision in possession 7
Thomas Partey – Rash challenge means he’ll miss the second leg, made up for it by swinging in corner that led to goal 6
Koke – Confusing decision to bring him off, helped outnumber Juve midfield by drifting inside. Brightest spark outside Griezmann 7
Antoine Griezmann – Atleti’s best chances were channelled through their maestro and his deft lob so nearly broke the deadlock 7
Diego Costa – How did he miss that chance? And by a huge margin, too. Asserted himself against Juve bodies, but not with the ball 5
SUBSTITUTES
Thomas Lemar (57′) – Brought on to add pace and verve. Just hasn’t done that consistently since summer move 6
Alvaro Morata (60′) – Added instant pep ahead of Costa and thunderous header was so unlucky to be reversed by VAR 8
Angel Correa (67′) – Another attacking move with Simeone knowing his side needed to win here, no starring role though 6