Cloud: He had to act in the first half to safely repel Fabio’s shot. A tremendously comfortable clean sheet, the Canarian team did not step into their area in the entire second half. In the six previous games they had conceded a goal, it was important not to concede again.
Nahuel Molina: His best game with Atleti in a long time. Third central defender in the ball exit, more responsibility with the ball, he put in a fantastic long delivery for Giuliano to open the scoring. Touched, in space and with the perfect strength for his compatriot. Smart to break into space when the team was static and quick to cover his back. Several important cuts. Very good.
Gimenez: His loss against PSG is a loss for Simeone. He was well escorted by Nahuel Molina and Lenglet and knew how to forcefully close the long deliveries of the Las Palmas players. The Canarian team never worried, nor did they take the lead at 2-0.
Lenglet: His return is essential, there are many casualties and doubts in defense and Simeone did not hesitate to choose him as soon as he was available. It wasn’t his finest game, but he has good ground, intelligent ball delivery and aerial game.
Javi Galan: He has earned his space with work. When the band goes up, it does so with power in driving and looks for dangerous centers. A way in attack to overwhelm, although when it came to centering they lacked a finisher in the area. Good grade, without suffering in defense.
Giuliano: Great debut with the first team. He is earning the minutes due to his intensity and bite on the wing. His height varied between the lane when he had to defend and the deployment as a winger in attack. He took advantage of a ball from Nahuel behind his back and scored after a great uncheck. A youth player who settles into the squad is always fantastic news. Intense at stealing, at always being where he was asked, he eats the grass. Great game, beyond the goal. It’s Giuliano, not Cholo’s son.
Immediately: More agile and faster with the ball than in the last games. The captain needs Barrios, to have collaboration at the start, a replacement in the pivot and another way to play. He is accumulating many minutes and it was a more comfortable game than the previous ones.
Barrios: Like Lenglet, as soon as he was available he went directly to eleven. He had the first big chance of the game with his left foot after a recovery between Griezmann and Julián. He tried again for goal and left a fantastic cross for Griezmann, who hit the crossbar, just before being substituted at half-time. A change that is expected to be scheduled because it is fundamental for the team’s game. Whenever it is there everything is more fluid. You have to take care of it because, today, it is the most important medium.
Lino: Participation inside, closer to Koke and Barrios, Simeone seeks to strengthen him again after having lost a lot of prominence compared to last season. But he still hasn’t found the ideal place. It was difficult for him to appear between the lines and see the danger zone where Atlético could need him most. Discreet first half that led him to be substituted at half-time.
Griezmann: A lot of mobility, in that duo with Julián there is no fixed reference and constant idea and return of the two. He hit the crossbar just before half-time after a good move in the area. It was not a particularly brilliant match, with little continuity and without being able to be definitive, although as always it left flashes of enormous class.
Julian Alvarez: He constantly moves in the area between the centre-backs and the rival pivot, when he plays as a nine he is forced to fight more aerial duels and, although he does not give up, his work becomes difficult. A leader in pressure, a forward who is tremendously uncomfortable for the rival defense. It may benefit you to have a reference ahead of you to play more freely.
Six changes due to Cillessen’s concussion and a liberating goal for Sorloth
From Paul: Some of the fans greeted him with whistles, but he came in with personality to ask for the ball and try to break lines with several good balls into space. Support for Sorloth. It’s a shame that some days he seems to lack intensity, because very few in the squad have that vision. Good second half.
Gallagher: He has will, but he is looking for his space. With the ball you can see limitations, it is difficult for him to turn and generate. With Koke and De Paul at his side generating, he can focus on getting closer to the rival area.
Sorloth: This time he did finish wonderfully in one-on-one in an action similar to the first one he had against Lille. The movement to De Paul’s pass and the left foot.
Correa: Mobility behind Sorloth. He left details such as a pipe that raised the oles, but it did not have excessive prominence.
Witsel: He entered after 2-0 to close the center line. Las Palmas did not give in and barely had any work.
Reinildo: Less finesse than Galán to raise the band, he tried a couple of crosses.
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