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Atletico Madrid logo
La Liga
Feb 21, 2015 at 7pm UK
 
Almeria

3-0

Mandzukic (13' pen.), Griezmann (20', 29')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 3-0 Almeria

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during Atletico Madrid's 3-0 La Liga win over 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 Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring with Atletico Madrid's Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic beside Almeria's goalkeeper Julian Cuesta during the Spanish league football match Atletico Madrid vs UD Almeria at the Vic© Getty Images

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)


Edgar Mendez of UD Almeria looks on during the La Liga match between Getafe CF and UD Almeria at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on August 29, 2014© Getty Images

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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Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring with Atletico Madrid's Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic beside Almeria's goalkeeper Julian Cuesta during the Spanish league football match Atletico Madrid vs UD Almeria at the Vic
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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