It was far from pretty, but Atlético Madrid ground out a 1-0 victory over a rigid CA Osasuna on Saturday night, which takes their winning run at home to five matches.
In front of a late night crowd at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano, a post-international break Atlético looked to have found an early way through their opponent’s low block, but an inexplicable VAR decision ruled out Álex Baena’s ninth-minute goal.
It was an hour later before Atleti finally had the ball in the back of the net once again, as Thiago Almada registered his first goal for the club to secure a much-needed win.
Here are Into the Calderón’s player ratings for this match.
Player Ratings
Jan Oblak 8 – For that save alone in the dying moments, he earned his rating for the day. Yes the finish was poor, but his outstretched leg was a goal saved that he also needed from a personal point of view, having let in a high percentage of shots conceded so far this season. Any clean sheet needs to be celebrated at this stage.
Marcos Llorente 7 – Played his 250th game in the Spanish top flight. Whether at right-back, right wing-back or right center-back, Mr. Consistent puts in his usual shift which we are so used to seeing now. Had a shot on his weaker foot that was unlucky not to squeeze past Sergio Herrera in the Osasuna goal.
José María Giménez 8 – Ah how we’ve missed you, El Comandante. No coincidence that upon his return to competitive football with the team, a clean sheet is kept. We must all join together in prayer that his injuries are minimal for the rest of the season for the way he gives structure to the defence (and keeps Clément Lenglet out of the team). Missed a great chance with a header from a corner on 59 minutes that really would’ve rounded things off.
Robin Le Normand 7 – He is “in a good moment,” as they say in Spain. Rumours in midweek were that he was nursing a FIFA-related knock, but his inclusion in the team alongside his Uruguayan partner gives the fans great confidence that his form can continue and doubts can be shaken off for good from now.
Dávid Hancko 7 – Looks to really suit the role of left center-back with a licence to head up the pitch when needed, similar to the way Mario Hermoso would be seen deep in the opposition half back in the title-winning season of 2020-21. Perhaps he does this a little closer to the by-line than the Spaniard did, but his on-ball attributes seem just as important as his defensive ones.
Nico González 6 – Subbed off from his left wing-back position after a head injury sustained in the latter stages of the first half. He had played a match and a half in defence during the international duty for Argentina in the lead up to this and looks well-suited to the role.
Pablo Barrios 7 – Another reminder of the kid’s level across multiple roles when asked to take position as a single pivot after spending the first half in a more creative and all-conquering capacity. The only question I have is how he can still perform to his best when the midfield and right-sided players seem to get on top of one another when breaking down low-block teams. Barrios, for me, is much better suited when he has the space ahead of him, rather than up against a stubborn defence.
Koke 7 – Taken off after 54 minutes with Arsenal on Tuesday in mind. A tireless performance spent canceling out Osasuna’s brewing counterattacks and trying to work the ball toward that final killer pass. Who had him down as playing such an important role in the team in his 17th season? Of course, without Johnny Cardoso’s injury problems, we wouldn’t be seeing him so much.
Álex Baena 7 – With Halloween coming up, it was an offside ghost that robbed Baena of a goal on his first home start. VAR adjudged someone to be beyond the defensive line which denied Atleti another early lead in a league match this season. His quality is evident, his role undefined.
Julián Alvarez 7 – His pass for Baena’s no-goal was sumptuous, his cross for Alexander Sørloth’s big missed chance was perfect, and his post-international duty effort was commendable.
Antoine Griezmann 7 – Missed a key opportunity in the first half and just like his fellow veteran captain, the Frenchman was removed from play early in the second period. This allowed passage for Alexander Sørloth to change the dimension of the attacking set-up which with Griezmann on the pitch, had passes being filtered along the floor to no avail. Lively, zippy movement that always makes him a pleasure to watch.
Substitutions
Giuliano Simeone 7 – More end product for the boy proving pivotal to his team’s results. His ability to reach the limits of the pitch before cutting the ball back is creating simple opportunities for his teammates to dispatch. The way he takes on the full-back with a sharp burst of pace over a short distance is akin to the likes of Jérémy Doku at Manchester City.
Conor Gallagher 6 – Took on a more dynamic role in midfield than Koke, whom he replaced. Bombed on to join the press and attacks which gave Barrios the job to sit in the holding role.
Alexander Sørloth 5 – Missed a golden chance with his massive head shortly after coming on, when Alvarez lifted a beautiful cross in his direction. Allowed his team to take a more direct approach to goal, but really could do with getting on that score-sheet more often.
Thiago Almada 7 – The moment he stepped onto the pitch, the quality he exuded on the ball was immediate. A well-deserved first goal for Atlético de Madrid, ironically simple, but benefitted from being in the right place after Simeone’s good work.
Giacomo Raspadori 5 – Failed to make an impact with the 10 minutes he had, but he looks happy to be here and is someone who will have his moments in a red and white shirt.
