Atletico Madrid progressed to the semi finals of the UEFA Champions League in style after clinically stifling the Barcelona juggernaut at the Vicente Calderon. Coming into the game, a goal down from the Camp Nou, where they were beaten 2-1 by a Lui Suarez brace, Diego Simeone’s men took it to Barcelona at their home ground.
A brace from Antoine Griezmann ended the defending champions’ hopes of retaining the UEFA Champions league altogether.
Barcelona
Marc Andre Ter Stegen – 6/10
Marc Andre Ter Stegen worked hard on the night, making a number of saves but was somewhat helpless for both goals.
Gerard Pique – 6/10
Gerard Pique was incredibly close to scoring a vital goal himself but it wasn’t meant to be. He was troubled a lot by his opposing attackers on the night.
Javier Mascherano – 7/10
Javier Mascherano stepped out of the Vicente Calderon with his head held high as he was very good on the night. Committed to getting a result, he was really strong in the tackle and made some fine interceptions.
Dani Alves – 6/10
Dani Alves began the game brightly and eventually faded away as the game slowly began shifting to Atletico Madrid’s favor.
Jordi Alba – 5/10
Jordi Alba was hardly at his best on the night and made negligible contributions for his side on either end of the pitch. He did however, make the mistake which led to the opener.
Ivan Rakitic– 5/10
Ivan Rakitic was completely stifled on the night and shutting him down proved to be vital for the Atletico midfield as Barcelona hardly got a sniff in.
Sergio Busquets – 5/10
Sergio Busquets was left gasping for air all game as Atletico hassled and harried him whenever he was on the ball. He was given very little time on the ball to produce something impactful with it.
Andres Iniesta – 5/10
Andres Iniesta could’ve been sent off for his deliberate handball which led to Atletico’s second goal, this time from the penalty spot. He hardly produced any impact on the night
Lionel Messi– 5/10
Lionel Messi is in the worst form of his life as he continues his goalless streak this month. He was effectively kept out of the game by a fierce Atletico defense.
Neymar – 5/10
Neymar failed spectacularly on the night as he offered nothing in the crucial stages. Without doubt, a game he would like to forget.
Luis Suarez– 5/10
Luis Suarez kept pushing hard for his team mates but failed to produce the heroics that gave Barcelona the result they wanted in the first leg.
Substitutes
Arda Turan – 6/10
His introduction did result in some much needed impact on the pitch but nothing Arda Turan had in him could turn the tide.
Sergi Roberto- 5/10
Sergi Roberto offered a little extra width down the side and showed great determination but to no avail.
Atletico Madrid:
Jan Oblak - 8/10
Jan Oblak produced an authoritative display which saw him marshal a defense from between the sticks against the best attack on the planet with dire ease. Came off his line to catch and hold every potential risk on the attack from Barcelona.
Juanfran – 8/10
Juanfran kept Neymar stifled all night and ran up and down like a dynamo offering width in attack and solidity in defence.
Diego Godin – 9/10
Diego Godin produced arguably one of the best performances of his career to stifle the lively Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan played like an absolute warrior on the night repelling absolutely everything that threatened the Atletico goal.
Felipe Luis - 8/10
Minor lapses aside, Filipe Luis was magnificent offering some great attacking threat which eventually led to the penalty on the night.
Lucas Hernandez – 8/10
Lucas Hernandez produced an excellent performance for someone so young. His reading of the game was flawless as he refused to be bullied by the best attack in the world. He was sensational with Godin beside him.
Gabi – 8/10
Gabi’s spirited performance set the tone for Atletico on the night as he marshaled the midfield with authority and grit so reminiscent of Atletico as a team over the years.
Augusto Fernandez – 8/10
Augusto Fernandez is turning out to be a shrewd signing. He produced a fine display on the night screening his defense effectively and shutting the Barcelona midfield down effectively.
Koke – 8/10
Koke’s work rate was immense. He provided crucial support out wide and held on when Barca started sending waves of attack.
Saul Niguez– 8/10
Saul Niguez announced himself on the night with a scrumptious ball for the opener. Full of energy, his performance will have made all of Europe take notice.
Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco – 8/10
Yannick Carrasco has quickly cemented his place in the Atletico side this season and not without reason. He was impeccable on the night with his pace and trickery offering an edge to the Atletico’s attack.
Antoine Griezmann– 9/10
Antoine Griezmann has quickly made his name as one of the best players on the planet with Atletico and proved his credentials once again on the night with a superb goal and a well taken penalty. Atletico have a talisman in him.
Substitutes
Thomas Partey– 7/10
Thomas Partey offered a fresh pair of legs and great zeal since coming on for Atletico and helped his side see of the tie well.
Angel Correa– NA
Stefan Savic– NA
