In a blockbuster Champions League showdown at the Metropolitano, Atlético de Madrid suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich that puts progression to the next phase of the competition in some danger.
Lennart Karl punished Robin Le Normand’s mistake after 53 minutes before Konrad Laimer took advantage of more lax defending to slam in the second goal and end the match as a contest 20 minutes later.
Let’s get into the player (and coach) ratings for this one.
Oblak
Equalled the great Adelardo Rodríguez
with his 553rd appearance, the second-most in club history. Quick and decisive off his line to catch or pick up the ball, but continues to struggle with his distribution: just 33 percent long-ball accuracy in the first half. Saved well from Kimmich after 26 seconds of the second half, but couldn’t do much on Karl’s opener as the teenager dinked it over him following a defensive error. Touched Dayot Upamecano’s deflected shot onto the crossbar to keep it 1-0, but Laimer beat him minutes later as he left too much space for the Austrian at the near post. 5
Pubill
Another start for him at right-back; it’s weird how that position has looked foreign to him when he played it so well at Almería. Out to sea when Davies won the ball off Alvarez and led a counter for Bayern’s best chance of the first half. Delivered a cross for Sørloth that the Norwegian just couldn’t settle in front of Neuer. Moved to center-back after the goal, where he is just much better. 5
Le Normand
Drawn into the most difficult assignment possible: marking the freshly crowned Ballon d’Or winner. Clumsily fouled Kane at midfield but otherwise finished the first half without incident. Completely avoidable and inexcusable mistake for Karl’s goal, as he got mixed up with Pubill and TRIED TO DRIBBLE OUT OF HIS OWN BOX SO OF COURSE HE GAVE IT AWAY. HE NEEDS TO LEAVE. YESTERDAY. —
Hancko
Vital last-second block on Kane to prevent a certain opening goal. Felt he had a good game, with eight clearances and three recoveries. 6
Grimaldo
The first of two challenging matchups for him this week, with Lamine Yamal waiting for him on Sunday. Did a good job on Olise in the first half, where he accrued two tackles and four duels won. Nondescript in attack as Atleti struggled offensively for much of the night. 5
Barrios
Tried to bend in a shot from Dávid Hancko’s assist but saw it deflected out for a corner. Had difficulty imposing himself, but whenever he was on the ball, he looked to break lines amid the first half’s lively tempo. He faded in the second half and was removed after Laimer’s goal. 5
Llorente
Starter in midfield with Morten Hjulmand suspended and Johnny Cardoso still unavailable through injury. Super first half, in which he made five recoveries and won a pair of ground duels. Had a fairly clear chance after 65 minutes but didn’t get enough on it and Neuer saved comfortably. One of the few players who can leave with his head held high. 6
Giuliano
Threw himself about, always looking to get on the end of a long ball. Tough matchup against Davies, who burned him toward the end of the first half and won a free kick out of it. Spent much of the second half arguing on his behalf for fouls. Frustrating. 4
Baena
Switched off as Laimer created a big chance for Kane during Bayern’s best spell of the first half. That happened a lot to Baena; he lost seven of nine ground duels and was dribbled past four times in just the first 45 minutes. Wasn’t his game at all. 2
Alvarez
Whistled an early chance wide of Neuer, had a horrible giveaway to Davies along Atleti’s right flank that resulted in Karl blazing a chance over the bar. Won one of eight ground duels in the first half. Created a chance for Llorente in the 66th minute but did nothing else before his substitution. 2
Sørloth
A surprise starter for the first time in 2026/27, and an understandable decision from El Cholo given he needed someone to tussle with Tah and Upamecano. A willing outlet as Atleti sought a direct style to beat Bayern’s press. but needed him to win more than a pair of aerial duels. Should have shot from Pubill’s cross but mishandled the ball and headed it back to Baena, ending the threat. 4
Kang-in
Replaced Baena after 58 minutes. Wanted to take the reins and exhibited superb footwork on a couple of occasions, but just wasn’t his night. 4
Koke
Replaced Le Normand after 58 minutes, 59 minutes too late. Back after three weeks out and Atleti turned up the urgency, too little too late though. 4
Lookman
Replaced Sørloth after 58 minutes. Switched off of Laimer on the goal for 2-0 and invisible when Atleti pushed for something. Lacking confidence and falling deeper into the abyss. —
Mendoza
Replaced Barrios after 75 minutes. Got a nice runout, I suppose. N/A
David
Replaced Alvarez after 75 minutes. Fed off scraps. N/A
Simeone
Sørloth was a bold call that worked for a while but not enough to justify the start, and it is completely irresponsible to field Le Normand at any point. I was surprised that El Cholo opted to do nothing at halftime given how Bayern smothered Atleti for much of the opening 45, then he leaned into his worst tendency with the panicked Koke, Lookman and Kang-in triple-change, which came too late anyway.
I felt the approach — directness to play over the top of Bayern’s press — was good at the start, but the coach didn’t react until Karl’s goal. I don’t know what he was waiting for. 2
