La Liga
Jan 18, 2015 4.00pm
2
0
HT : 1 0
FT
  • Diego Godín 9' yellowcard
  • Mario Suarez 27' yellowcard
  • Mario Mandzukic 34' goal
  • Mario Mandzukic 73' yellowcard
  • Raul Garcia 88' goal
  • yellowcard Lass Bangoura 10'
  • yellowcard Abdou Sissoko 33'
  • yellowcard Allan Nyom 64'

Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Granada

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Granada

Mario Mandzukic and Raul Garcia were both on the scoresheet as Atletico Madrid beat Granada 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday evening.

Mandzukic netted from the penalty spot in the first period before Garcia dispatched a header in the 89th minute.

The result moved Atletico into third, while Granada remain rooted to the foot of La Liga.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during the Spanish affair.


ATLETICO

Goal

Miguel Moya: Made a couple of decent saves, but had his feet up for much of the 90 minutes. Has been a dependable performer for the Spanish champions this season. (6/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Found Lass Bangoura difficult to contain for periods of the match, but the right-back warmed to his task and was largely solid in defensive areas. (6/10)

Diego Godin: Won his side's penalty during one of his runs into the final third. As usual, the centre-back was also defensively sound at the heart of the back four. (7/10)

Jose Gimenez: Recalled to the centre of the defence alongside Godin and the 19-year-old picked up where he left off. Such a classy performer at such a young age. (7/10)

Guilherme Siqueira: So often a threat in the final third, but the left-back was not really involved in an attacking sense in the Spanish capital. (6/10)

Midfield

Mario Suarez: Continues to be linked with a move away from the Calderon, but his work-rate was never in question. Helped his defence when needed. (6/10)

Gabi: Never complicates matters and that was also the case here. Kept things ticking over in the middle of the park with a composed performance. (6/10)

Koke: Did not have too many chances to deliver from set pieces, but did aid his side with some dangerous crosses. Another solid display from the Spaniard. (6/10)

Attack

Arda Turan: Set up Garcia for Atletico's second late on with an excellent cross. Radiated class each time he had possession in a wide area. (7/10)

Mario Mandzukic: Had a very good match in the capital. Opened the scoring from the penalty spot, while the Croatian also impressed with his workrate and desire. (8/10)

Fernando Torres: Played his part in the build-up to the Atletico penalty, but the Spaniard eventually ran out of steam and departed just before the hour. (6/10)

Substitutes

Antoine Griezmann: Given a rest from the start following a busy schedule, but the Frenchman was lively in the final 30 minutes at the Vicente Calderon. (6/10)

Raul Garcia: Replaced Mandzukic after 84 minutes and wrapped up the points with a clever header late on. Always a dependable performer for the champions. (7/10)

Raul Jimenez: Only given the final 30 seconds or so. (5/10)


GRANADA

Goal

Oier Olazabal: Made some smart saves, especially in the second period, and could do little with either goal. Can be fairly pleased with his display on a personal level. (6/10)

Defence

Allan Nyom: Put in a really strong and energetic performance down the right. Distribution could do with some work, but the right-back was so committed to the cause. (7/10)

Diego Mainz: Another that can be content with his display in the capital. Helped frustrate Atletico in the final third with some crucial interceptions. (7/10)

Jean-Sylvain Babin: Like Mainz, the centre-back made a number of crucial clearances, especially aerially, but he was guilty of a couple of sloppy passes in dangerous areas. (6/10)

Abdoul Sissoko: Extremely fortunate to remain on the field after pulling Godin to the ground inside the penalty area. Struggled to cope with the home side's movement in wide areas. (5/10)

Midfield

Lass Bangoura: Plenty of positive signs for the on-loan Rayo Vallecano winger. Caused problems with his pace and movement, but just lacked that end product. (6/10)

Manuel Iturra: Had a strong game in the middle of the park. Stopped Koke receiving the ball in central areas and was also calm and composed in possession. (7/10)

Hector Yuste: Had licence to roam forward during stages of the second period, but the midfielder struggled to make his mark against a strong defence. (6/10)

Robert Ibanez: Made a positive impression on his first start for the club. Only joined on loan from Valencia last week. (6/10)

Piti: Hit the crossbar with a clever corner in the first period and caused problems with his delivery from wide areas. One of his team's better performers. (6/10)

Attack

Youssef El-Arabi: Had a golden chance in the first half, but placed his header just wide of the post. Was not short of effort, but it just did not happen for the striker. (5/10)

Substitutes

Dimitri Foulquier: Replaced Sissoko just past the hour and made a positive impression. Caused problems with his pace and dribbling ability in wide areas. (6/10)

Juan Carlos: Showed some nice touches during his 15 minutes on the field. (6/10)

Isaac Success: Only given the final 10 minutes and saw little of the ball. (5/10)


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