Atlético Madrid recorded their first-ever win over English opposition in the group stage/league phase of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at the Metropolitano on Tuesday night.
Pablo Barrios opened the scoring inside one minute as Atleti came flying out of the blocks early on. The game didn’t get much hotter than a simmer after that, but the home team did manage to double their lead late on with an Ademola Lookman tap in.
Leny Yoro pulled down Jonathan David to leave his team
with a numerical disadvantage, which did help Atleti cruise toward the win by the end.
Before the match, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the mother of club captain Koke, who died this morning. Diego Simeone as well as a number of players were visibly moved, and the fans repeatedly sung the name of our number 6. May Ana Merodio Borja rest in peace.
Here are Into the Calderón’s player ratings for this one.
Player ratings
Jan Oblak: Had to be alert to a couple of chances that were flung his way, and made one crucial save in stoppage time from ex-teammate Matheus Cunha to secure the clean sheet. Ultimately a comfortable night in the Champions League for the Slovenian. 7
Marcos Llorente: Marquitos played in just about every position tonight, starting at right-back and popping up at center-forward by the end. Unfortunate to have the slightest brush of the ball on his hand the cause for Johnny’s goal being ruled out. 7
Cristian Romero: Another display of jerarquía from the Argentina captain, stepping out of the line of defence to make important interceptions. Also showed his ball-playing ability with a key pass into Kang-In Lee which started the move for the first goal. 7
Dávid Hancko: Made some very underrated contributions tonight, not allowing the United attackers much of a sniff in front of goal. 7
Alejandro Grimaldo: Hit the corner of the crossbar with a free-kick and made a great run out to the wing to create the space to start off the move for the second goal. We’ve got a great footballer playing at left-back for us. 7
Giuliano Simeone: An industrial match as ever from Giuliano, doing the basics well, causing the United team all sorts of headaches off the ball. 6
Pablo Barrios: His well-taken goal was the beginning of a fantastic performance from Pablito, justifying his nine-figure price tag to the Premier League money boys. The cross-field diagonal float over to Alvarez was a thing of beauty. 8
Johnny Cardoso: It would have been nice for his goal to have stood because Johnny did a sterling job to step in for Koke given the sensitive news from this morning. His effort from the edge of the box was ruled out after Llorente was adjudged to have handled in the build up. 7
Álex Baena: A continuation performance from Baena, sustaining the level he’s shown throughout the season’s start. Another goal contribution to his name as he assisted the first. 7
Kang-In Lee: It was his fantastic early ball over the top that set Baena away to set up Atleti’s first goal, but from then on, Kang-In wasn’t up to a whole lot as the game wore on. 6
Julián Alvarez: Just didn’t quite come off for Julián tonight; he really needs a goal. One off his front side, backside, eyelash, he just needs the ball to cross the line after it touches him last. Booed off. 5
Substitutes
Marc Pubill: Came on for Barrios to allow Llorente in the midfield, playing a solid half an hour at right-back. 6
Jonathan David: Gets Leny Yoro sent off and has his shot parried into the path of Lookman. A positive impact off the bench. 7
Morten Hjulmand: Slotted a gorgeous pass into David in the action that saw United reduced to 10 men. 6
Ademola Lookman: My word did he need that goal. The sort of goal that Alvarez could do with: empty net, couldn’t miss. 6
Robin Le Normand: That must’ve been the shortest time I’ve ever seen an Atleti player get a yellow card after coming off the bench. Donkey. —
