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Player Ratings: Real Betis 0-1 Atletico Madrid

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed during Atletico Madrid's 1-0 win over Real Betis in La Liga.

Atletico Madrid moved into second position in the La Liga table with a 1-0 win at Real Betis on Sunday evening.

The only goal of the match came in the seventh minute, with Koke converting from inside the box after Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan had kept out Fernando Torres.

Atletico have moved above their rivals Real Madrid in the division, while Betis, whose form has been inconsistent in recent weeks, remain in 12th position, five points outside of the bottom three.

Here, Sports Mole has taken a closer look at how each player performed in Seville.


Atletico Madrid's midfielder Koke (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Betis Balompie vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on November 22, 2015© Getty Images

REAL BETIS

Goal

Antonio Adan: Did well to recover from a sickening clash of heads with Diego Godin early in the second period, but was ultimately forced to leave the field just past the hour with a foot problem. (7/10)

Defence

Cristiano Piccini: Was always willing to break forward when his team had possession of the ball, but the right-back struggled to deal with Yannick Ferreira Carrasco in the opening half of action. (6/10)

Bruno Gonzalez: Now facing a one-game suspension after picking up a booking for a barge on Fernando Torres just past the interval. Fairly solid, but struggled when Atletico broke with pace. (6/10)

Heiko Westermann: Had a largely solid game at the heart of the Betis defence, but was extremely fortunate not to concede a penalty late on after bringing Antoine Griezmann to the ground. (6/10)

Francisco Varela: Probably the pick of Betis' back four on the night. Managed to keep Fernando Torres quiet for long spells and made some crucial interceptions, especially in the second period. (7/10)

Midfield

Alfred N'Diaye: Used his presence and powerful running to cause problems during stages of the match, but the midfielder did go missing for spells. Still one of Betis' best on the night though. (7/10)

Xavi Torres: Was withdrawn at the interval after his mistake that led to the opening goal in Seville. Caught in possession outside his own box and it ultimately led to Koke firing home. (6/10)

Didier Digard: Could not complete the match after picking up a hamstring problem late on, leaving Betis with 10 men for the final seven minutes. Had his team's only shot on target in the first period. (6/10)

Attack

Alvaro Cejudo: Might have thought that he had equalised in the second period, but his stinging effort was tipped over the crossbar by Jan Oblak. Dangerous in patches, but another that faded. (6/10)

Ruben Castro: Has scored seven of Betis' 11 league goals this season, but simply did not have a sniff in the final third. Work-rate cannot be called into question, but lacked service from his teammates. (6/10)

Joaquin: Struggled to make his mark against such a strong Atletico defence. Delivered a couple of dangerous crosses in the first period, but was replaced for the final 15 minutes of action. (6/10)

Substitutes

Dani Ceballos: Would have been disappointed not to have started, but was thrown on at the break in place of Xavi Torres. Showed bits and pieces without making a serious impression in Seville. (6/10)

Dani Gimenez: Called into action for the final 30 minutes after Betis' first-choice goalkeeper Adan went off injured. Was a bit hesitant coming for crosses and that almost cost his team a second. (6/10)

Jorge Molina: Resumed his strike partnership with Castro for the final 13 minutes and his presence certainly unnerved the Atletico defence. Might have been introduced at an earlier point. (6/10)


Atletico Madrid's Portuguese midfielder Tiago celebrates with teammates Uruguayan defender Diego Godin and midfielder Gabi after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match RC Deportivo La Coruna vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Municipal de © Getty Images

ATLETICO

Goal

Jab Oblak: Did not have an awful lot to do for long spells, but made an outstanding save to keep out a second-half strike from Cejudo and was also strong from crosses in the latter stages. (7/10)

Defence

Jesus Gamez: Simply does not offer the same threat going forward as Juanfran, but the experienced Spaniard was nice and solid at the back. Did not really put a foot wrong in a defensive area. (7/10)

Diego Godin: Towering performance from the centre-back, who completed the match despite suffering a nasty gash on his forehead in the second half. Won every header that came into his own box. (9/10)

Stefan Savic: Preferred to Jose Gimenez alongside Godin and the summer signing from Fiorentina justified that decision with a strong performance at the heart of the Atletico back-line. (8/10)

Filipe Luis: Proved a strong outlet in the first period as Atletico threatened down the left, but the Brazilian was more defensive-minded in the second period. Another solid performance. (7/10)

Midfield

Tiago: Was not too involved in the final third of the field, but set the tempo from the middle of the park and just did not seem to concede possession of the ball. Such a class act for Atletico. (8/10)

Gabi: His form over the last 12 months has been questioned, but this was much more like it from the Atletico skipper. Kept the ball moving in the middle and also delivered some excellent set pieces. (7/10)

Koke: Proved the match-winner in Seville after opening the scoring in the seventh minute with a close-range finish. Still building back to full fitness following an injury and was replaced late on. (7/10)

Attack

Antoine Griezmann: Should have been awarded a penalty in the second period and also hit the post late on during a strong showing. Betis will be pleased to see the back of the Frenchman. (7/10)

Fernando Torres: Turned back the clock with a couple of brilliant pieces of skill, while he played a key role in the winning goal. Replaced in the 71st minute by the returning Luciano Vietto. (6/10)

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco: Played a key role in Koke's opener after helping regain the ball from Xavi Torres, while the Belgian's pace and tenacity caused Betis problems throughout the match. (7/10)

Substitutes

Luciano Vietto: Returned to the squad following appendix surgery and was given the final 20 minutes. The Argentine's pace caused Betis so many problems and he really stretched the game late on. (7/10)

Oliver Torres: Was brought on in place of Carrasco for the final 15 minutes and the Spaniard used the ball intelligently during a difficult period for Atletico. Never panics in possession of the ball. (6/10)

Saul Niguez: Has found it tough to get into the Atletico team this season and he was only given the final 10 minutes here after Koke was replaced. Not much of note in the latter stages. (6/10)


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