Away woes continued even at 19th-place Levante for Atlético Madrid, who turned in yet another dull performance in a stadium not named the Metropolitano.
Just four shots on target and a total of 0.9xG tells
a story of a lack of energy and a lack of effort. This middling league season continues. Here are the player ratings from the game:
Starting XI
Jan Oblak
Just two saves to make and both were relatively routine stops. What you do not want in the same game is your goalkeeper being awarded the MVP for that performance, which is unfortunately what happened. 6
Nahuel Molina
Ended up being Atleti’s primary chance creator, though all of it came from set-pieces. He was brilliant sending balls in from corners, but just about average at everything else. 6
Robin Le Normand
While he has seemingly lost his place as a starter in this 11, this was a great performance to fight for his spot. Remained solid even when his defensive partner looked shaky and singlehandedly kept Levante’s opportunities to a minimum. Maybe the only one who can be somewhat satisfied today. 7
Clément Lenglet
First start since December 6th and remains a liability in defense. Picked up another yellow card trying to recover from his own miskick that gave the ball away. It is becoming increasingly difficult to justify his selection even in the case of rotation. 3
Matteo Ruggeri
Another start where he puts in a shift defensively, but he is far from the creative full-back that Atleti need down the left. Struggled to put crosses in or even link up with his teammates in attacking positions. 5
Marcos Llorente
For someone who is one of the best attacking players when at right-back, he was a shadow of himself in a higher right-winger role. Just one dribble and one touch in the box in the uneventful hour that he played. 4
Pablo Barrios
Uncharacteristically off the pace in a type of game he was expected to control. Could not dictate the game from midfield as he has done before and had just four passes into the final third in 50 minutes. Came off with a suspected injury ahead of a crucial midweek game where his presence will be needed. 5
Johnny Cardoso
Had a decent game for himself with the most passes and touches of anyone, though most of it was just to keep the ball moving. This is the role he is meant to do, that of a facilitator, but when his teammates lack creativity it can seem aimless. I do not think that is on him though. 6
Nico González
Erratic outing. Credit to him for always playing with intensity but his performance was probably best summarized by two consecutive sequences around the 40th minute. He tripped over himself after being played into space out wide in the first, and then when he received the ball a couple of minutes later, he expertly skipped past a challenge and created a chance with a cutback, only to slice a rebound wide of a relatively clear goal. 4
Thiago Almada
Back in the starting lineup and was often the only one with any real attacking impetus. Did not help that his supporting players down the left flank struggled to combine with him. Not to say that he was magnificent, but showed a couple of sparks that could have led to more. 6
Alexander Sørloth
Made a few threatening runs before sustaining unfortunate head injury when defending a corner. Had to be stretchered off which is always worrying – hope he is okay and recovers soon. 5
Substitutes
Julián Alvarez
Going into three months now since his last league goal, this season continues to go from bad to worse for the talented Argentine. Had a last ditch shot straight at the keeper and that was only his second shot of the night since coming on in the 27th minute. 5
Dávid Hancko
Atleti always look better with Hancko on the pitch, though he was not much of an influence in this dull affair. Had to come on in place of Lenglet who never looked comfortable. 5
Koke
Came on for Barrios and tried his best to spark some creativity into the side, but even the captain could not rouse his troops today. Forty-nine touches in about 40 minutes is impressive, but no real output from him either. 6
Marc Pubill
Brought on to change the shape but that too was ineffective. He had a good rest today and looked comfortable when he came on, which bodes well for the midweek cup game at least. 6
Álex Baena
You would hope that a star summer signing would come off the bench with urgency to turn this type of game around, but Baena had another rather flat performance. Had just one shot and created a single chance in half an hour. 5
Jano Monserrate
The only remaining attacking option on the bench and brought on in the 73rd minute as a long shot. Good minutes for the youngster but definitely not expected to be the game changer when his more experienced teammates were well off the pace. 5
