La Liga
Dec 14, 2014 6.00pm
0
1
HT : 0 0
FT
  • Arda Turan 28' yellowcard
  • Mario Mandzukic 41' yellowcard
  • Juanfran 44' yellowcard
  • Koke 88' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Ikechukwu Uche 17'
  • yellowcard Jonathan dos Santos 41'
  • yellowcard Manuel Trigueros 55'
  • goal Luciano Vietto 84'

Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 0-1 Villarreal

Atletico Madrid 0-1 Villarreal

Luciano Vietto scored late on as Villarreal recorded a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday.

As a result, Atletico have fallen seven points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Villarreal, meanwhile, who have now won their last four league matches, have regained sixth position from Malaga.

Here, Sports Mole has taken a closer look at how each individual player performed during the La Liga affair.


ATLETICO

Goal

Miguel Moya: Made a couple of key saves in the second period and was quick off his line when needed. The Spaniard also cannot really be blamed for Villarreal's goal. (6/10)

Defence

Juanfran: As expected, the Spaniard got forward on plenty of occasions, but his usual quality from wide areas was disappointing. Not the right-back's best performance. (6/10)

Diego Godin: Made a number of crucial challenges and came close to scoring with a couple of headers, but the centre-back was beaten by Vietto for the Argentine's goal. (7/10)

Miranda: Somewhat surprisingly recalled in place of Jose Gimenez and the Brazilian looked a little ring-rusty following an injury. Got caught out on a couple of occasions in the second period. (6/10)

Guilherme Siqueira: Always looked a threat in the final third and set up a couple of half-chances from wide areas. One of his side's better performers on the night. (7/10)

Midfield

Tiago: Comfortably his team's best midfielder in the capital. Kept things ticking over in the middle of the park and came close with a curling effort in the second period. (7/10)

Gabi: Disappointing showing from the skipper, who was a little untidy in possession of the ball. No surprise that the midfielder was replaced after 70 minutes. (6/10)

Koke: Usually such a threat from set pieces, but the Spaniard was short of his best against Villarreal. Picked up a late booking as the frustration grew. (6/10)

Attack

Raul Garcia: Scored a number of important goals last season, but could not have a similar impact in this match. Was not seen for long spells as the match passed him by. (5/10)

Mario Mandzukic: Brought a fine save from Sergio Asenjo and was unlucky to have his second-half goal disallowed for a foul. Was a threat, but did not have luck on his side. (6/10)

Arda Turan: Set up Mandzukic's disallowed effort with a brilliant cross, while the Turkish international was the one that always looked most likely to make something happen. (7/10)

Substitutes

Antoine Griezmann: Still cannot seem to force his way into the Atletico XI, but the Frenchman looked dangerous from the bench. Was a surprise that he was not used until the final 30 minutes. (6/10)

Alessio Cerci: Delivered a couple of dangerous crosses in the final 20 minutes, but the Italian could not make his mark in front of goal. (6/10)

Mario Suarez: Brought on to tighten the midfield, but Villarreal had their best spell late on. (5/10)


VILLARREAL

Goal

Sergio Asenjo: Made a stunning save to deny Mandzukic in the second period, while the goalkeeper was excellent from high balls and crosses on his return to the Vicente Calderon. (8/10)

Defence

Mario Gaspar: Went down too easily under pressure from Mandzukic, but got the decision from the referee. Another solid performance down the right from the Spaniard. (7/10)

Gabriel Paulista: Thrived alongside Victor Ruiz at the heart of the defence. Performed his basic duties well and was also comfortable in possession of the ball. (7/10)

Victor Ruiz: Excellent performance from the centre-back, who made a number of crucial challenges and clearances, especially in the second period. (8/10)

Jaume Costa: Was not really seen as an attacking threat for the visitors, but he largely dealt with the threat of Juanfran and Turan. (7/10)

Midfield

Jonathan dos Santos: Was guilty of play-acting on a couple of occasions, but the former Barcelona midfielder put in an energetic display for the visitors. (7/10)

Bruno Soriano: Another excellent display from the Spaniard, who brings everything together for Villarreal. Played some sweeping passes and radiated class each time he had possession. (7/10)

Manu Trigueros: A little untidy from the talented midfielder. Gave the ball away in some dangerous areas and picked up a yellow card early in the second period. (6/10)

Denis Cheryshev: Almost provided his eighth league assist of the season in the second half, but Vietto could not convert his first chance. Always involved and always dangerous. (7/10)

Attack

Luciano Vietto: Scared the life out of Atletico with his pace and movement. Missed a wonderful chance after 74 minutes, but recovered to score a brilliant winner late on. (8/10)

Ikechukwu Uche: Put in a serious shift for his side, but struggled to have a serious influence. Was replaced by Moi Gomez after 66 minutes. (6/10)

Substitutes

Tomas Pina: Replaced Trigueros just past the hour mark and the midfielder immediately picked up the pace of the match. A dependable performer for the Yellow Submarine. (7/10)

Moi Gomez: Could not add to his two goals from last weekend, but the youngster further enhanced his growing reputation with a lively cameo performance. (6/10)

Antonio Rukavina: Brought on in the final moments to provide an extra body in defence and the full-back made a couple of crucial clearances during his limited time on the field. (6/10)


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