La Liga
Feb 21, 2015 7.00pm
3
0
HT : 3 0
FT
  • Mario Mandzukic 13' goal
  • Antoine Griezmann 20' goal
  • Antoine Griezmann 29' goal
  • Guilherme Siqueira 58' yellowcard
  • Raul Garcia 76' yellowcard
  • Guilherme Siqueira 91' redcard
  • yellowcard Sebastian Dubarbier 11'

Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 3-0 Almeria

Atletico Madrid 3-0 Almeria

Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Atletico Madrid beat Almeria 3-0 in La Liga on Saturday evening.

Mario Mandzukic also netted from the spot at the Vicente Calderon as the reigning Spanish champions, who finished with 10 men following a late red card for Guilherme Siqueira, moved to within three points of second-placed Barcelona.

Almeria, meanwhile, remain just outside of the relegation zone after a first defeat in four league games.

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


ATLETICO

Goal

Miguel Moya: Had his feet up for much of the contest in Madrid. Will have had tougher afternoons during a Sunday stroll down the park. (6/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Not too involved in the final third, but put in another strong defensive performance. Quite probably saving his legs ahead of what is a vital couple of months. (6/10)

Diego Godin: Sporting his protective mask once again, the powerful centre-back had a strong match. Won everything in the air and was calm and composed in possession of the ball. (7/10)

Miranda: Did not put a foot wrong, but had very little to do. Has overcome his injury problems in recent matches to return to somewhere near his best form. (6/10)

Guilherme Siqueira: Was sent off in stoppage time, but it was a horror decision from the referee. Had a good game down the left, with his strong running causing Almeria problems. (6/10)

Midfield

Gabi: No-frills performance from the Spaniard, who kept things ticking over in the middle of the park. Helped keep the tempo high during Atletico's impressive first period. (7/10)

Tiago: Will not have too many easier games this season. Was allowed time and space to pick his passes during another solid performance. (6/10)

Saul Niguez: Had a couple of half-chances in the second period, but could not repeat his heroics from Atletico's last home game against Real Madrid. (6/10)

Attack

Antoine Griezmann: Continued his excellent run of form with two goals in the first period. Almeria just could not live with the guile and quality of the Frenchman. (8/10)

Mario Mandzukic: Just shades Griezmann for the man-of-the-match award after a goal and two assists. Got through a lot of work during his 60 minutes on the field too. (8/10)

Arda Turan: Missed last week's defeat at Celta Vigo, but returned to the team here. Brings such calmness and confidence to Atletico's attack. (7/10)

Substitutes

Fernando Torres: Had a couple of half-chances in the final 30 minutes, but the wait for his first league goal since returning to the club continues. (6/10)

Raul Garcia: Picked up a booking as he put himself about during his 25 minutes on the field. Could not inspire his team to more goals, though. (6/10)

Mario Suarez: Slotted effortlessly into central midfield for the final 20 minutes. (6/10)


ALMERIA

Goal

Julian Cuesta: Could not do much about any of the goals, while he made a couple of good saves in the second period. Needed more protection from his defence. (6/10)

Defence

Michel Macedo: Has arguably been his side's best player in recent weeks, but Almeria as a team did not defend well here. Could not get forward at the Calderon. (6/10)

Mauro dos Santos: Had a disappointing first period as he conceded a harsh penalty, but recovered in the second to produce a number of key blocks. (6/10)

Angel Trujillo: Got caught for Atletico's second goal and found Griezmann difficult to handle during the Frenchman's 64 minutes on the field. (5/10)

Sebastian Dubarbier: Had a difficult first period, but, like a number of his teammates, improved in the second half. Delivered a couple of dangerous crosses late on. (6/10)

Midfield

Fran Velez: Made a mistake for Atletico's second and was replaced at the interval following a disappointing first period. (4/10)

Corona: Had a couple of shooting chances in the second period, but his radar was off. Needed a lot more work and running from those around him. (5/10)

Verza: Had chances to threaten from free kicks, but the midfielder's delivery was disappointing. Did not see enough of the ball to make a serious contribution. (5/10)

Attack

Thievy Bifouma: Threatened to have a good match early on, but faded badly as play developed. Was eventually replaced by Wellington Silva in the second period. (5/10)

Tomer Hemed: Received hardly any service and showed his frustration late on with a couple of wild attempts. Will demand more from those around him. (5/10)

Edgar Mendez: Looked the player most likely to make something happen in the final third, but it just did not happen for the attacker. (5/10)

Substitutes

Fernando Soriano: Replaced Velez at the interval, but the experienced attacker struggled to break through a strong and compact Atletico defence. (6/10)

Wellington Silva: Will have been disappointed not to start and the Brazilian found it difficult to make his mark during a 20-minute cameo. (5/10)

Jose Manuel Casado: Replaced Dubarbier for the final 15 minutes and slotted into full-back with relative ease. (5/10)


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