Ten-man Atlético Madrid hung on by the skin of their red-and-white teeth to draw 1-1 away to VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
The German side came flying out of the blocks, blowing Atleti away with a dominant first-half display. They preyed on the fact that Diego Simeone’s side tends to struggle with intensity, and from a rojiblanco point of view, the absence of Cuti Romero exacerbated this. Jamie Leweling opened the scoring after 35 minutes, and it had long been coming.
Things looked to be improving in the second half; Ademola Lookman set up Julián Alvarez’s first goal of the season within two minutes of the restart, but a costly Morten Hjulmand red card turned the game back in Stuttgart’s favour.
Given the circumstances, it did feel like a point gained rather than two dropped, as Atleti sit with four points from a possible nine after three games of the league phase played.
Here are Into the Calderón’s player ratings for this one.
Player ratings
Jan Oblak: On his 550th game for the club, Goatblak was the man of the match, for me. He was forced into action early on with an unreal save before even 30 seconds had elapsed, and another as the clock hit 10 minutes. A commanding display as Stuttgart bombarded his penalty area with their man advantage, but Oblak wasn’t letting anything get past him in the second half. He has reason to say that his teammates let him down tonight. 8
Marcos Llorente: The three free-flowing, high-intensity Stuttgart attacking midfielders behind the striker caused Llorente a lot of issues, with the evidence coming right from the off. He was caught on the ball under severe pressure inside the first minute which led to Oblak having to make a miracle save. Ended up playing as a right-sided center back once the team was down to ten men, and then in midfield for the last portion of the match. 6
Marc Pubill: The Into the Calderón WhatsApp group spent much of the match speculating whether Pubill’s recent heightened sense of fame has had an effect on his focus during games, or whether his new contract has afforded him a feeling of complacency. Either way, spending 90% of his post-World Cup summer drunk hasn’t done much good for his fitness. I thought he was miles off the pace tonight, looking slow and tired-looking throughout. 4
Dávid Hancko: Probably Atleti’s most consistent threat due to his ability to get on the end of set pieces with headers that weren’t too far off. Showed his long-range passing qualities which are always a delight, and held firm toward the end to stop Stuttgart finding a second. 7
Alejandro Grimaldo: On a night when few shone, I thought Grimaldo didn’t do much wrong on the whole. Couldn’t get anything going offensively, but was able to hold his ground with defensive duties, that no colchonero will have any complaints about. He’ll have to show more of these sorts of performances if Simeone is to trust him fully at left-back. 6
Giuliano Simeone: I’m unsure if this was his match to start, but it definitely came to be a game he was required in once Atleti went a man down. Was ultimately brought off towards the end for more of a target man figure up top. Not one of his best performances. 4
Pablo Barrios: Pablito had his match-running ability put to the test (and essentially shown up) tonight, not afforded a second of time on the ball by the opposition. Had a chance to put Atleti a goal up but the angle proved too tight. Time to keep getting the boy fitter so he can withstand these tough away nights in Europe. 5
Morten Hjulmand: The Dane made a crucial error getting sent off just at the moment of the match when Atleti looked to be getting themselves back on top. The tackle was reckless and needless, showing signs of his clumsy tendencies which seem to crop up now and then. 3
Álex Baena: A tough night after taking up a starring role at the weekend. Álex didn’t have much luck on the left side of the pitch in the first half. Just when he was looking to have an influence on the match from a number 10 role behind the striker, he was sacrificed for Johnny Cardoso, who had to come on when Hjulmand was sent off. 5
Julián Alvarez: A first half which had me begging for him to be taken off at the break was completely overturned inside the first two minutes of the restart when he finally scored his first goal of the season. He gave the ball away in the build up for the game’s opening goal and was generally so loose, but his first-time left-footed finish from Lookman’s low cross reminded us all of the quality that still lives on inside la araña. 6
Jonathan David: Much of a spare part in the first half; Atleti would have been better off starting with another midfielder given the way Stuttgart came flying out of the blocks. The instant impact of the man who replaced him justified his half-time hooking. Not necessarily his fault, just wasn’t his game to start. 4
Substitutes
Ademola Lookman: The birthday boy had an instant impact of the bench, with an assist just 90 seconds into his second-half appearance. There wasn’t too much to shout about from then on, but was forced into a brief stint as a lone striker, before being pulled out wide again. He must be frustrated with the constant changing of positions mid-match. Another goal contribution to keep the momentum building back up. 6
Johnny Cardoso: He looked like a man recovering from a stomach bug, but was able to steady the ship just enough to keep the score level at full time. I don’t think he was expecting to play tonight, but can be proud of the minutes that he did. 6
Obed Vargas: He was never going to have an impression on this kind of game with the 12 minutes he was given, but it’s nice to know that El Cholo hasn’t forgotten Vargas exists. And probably helped remind the fans, too. 4
Robin Le Normand: Did well not to completely cock it up. But in all seriousness, that was all he had to do, and definitely played his part in making sure his team came away with something from this match. 5
Alexander Sørloth: Came on to bully the opposition about a bit for the last few mins, which he executed perfectly. Still working his way back to full fitness, but I do wonder what Sørloth’s season looks like from here on in. I’d have thought he’d only become a regular if one of David or Alvarez picks up a lengthy injury. 5
