Atlético Madrid recorded a 10th straight victory, beating Slovakian giants Slovan Bratislava 3-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
A first-half belter from Julián Álvarez and an Antoine Griezmann brace either side of half-time gives Los Colchoneros an all-but-confirmed place in the Champions League playoff places with a top-eight finish very much in view.
Atlético never had to leave third gear, with midfielders Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios and Koke (in the second half) demonstrating a masterclass in how to control a game of football. Los Colchoneros were able to continue their stunning goalscoring run, having netted 30 goals in this ten-game run. This can be largely attributed to the fine connection between midfield and attack as shown once again on Wednesday. Álvarez and Griezmann’s one-touch sequences further prove the construction of a partnership that could be very fruitful in the remainder of this season.
Player Ratings
Jan Oblak 6: Appeared when needed to deny any hope the Slovakians had of staging a late comeback. Made himself big to get enough of an ankle on the ball to divert it onto the near post. Guessed the wrong way on the penalty.
Marcos Llorente 7: Active as ever down the full length of the right-hand side. With his improvised, volleyed, looping cross to Griezmann, he registered his sixth assist of the season and could have had another should Lino have been more clinical in the first half.
José María Giménez 6: Atleti’s very own marshall maintained a sense of calm at the back for the majority of the game. Was unlucky to see his header flash the wrong side of the post late in the second half.
Clement Lenglet 6: Was extremely unfortunate to concede a penalty resulting in Slovan Bratislava’s goal in what was an otherwise solid performance from the Frenchman. Something we are becoming accustomed to in recent weeks.
Javi Galan 7: Involved in much of the attacking build-up down the left-hand side. A misplaced header led to a rare Slovan Bratislava chance in the first half. Another match to consolidate his place in the team further.
Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Giuliano Simeone 6: El Cholito has been quieter in terms of contribution to goals since Llorente’s reintroduction to the team, but his work rate and claw remains invaluable to his father’s side.
Rodrigo DePaul 10: One insightful pass after another flowed off the boot of El Motorcito, appearing to make something happen every time he had the ball at his feet. He continues to be Atleti’s most important player in recent weeks.
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Pablo Barrios (subbed off 45’) 7: Sat deep to sweep up any loose balls and kept the play moving before being deservedly rested for the second half of the match. His ball for Llorente in the build up of Atleti’s second goal was reminiscent of Tiago’s at Stamford Bridge in 2014.
Samu Lino (73′) 5: Notched his third goal contribution in the last two games but still appears to have had his superpowers drained from him that he possessed in the 2023-24 season.
Antoine Griezmann (73′) 9: El Principito continues his dazzling run of form, scoring for the fifth consecutive game. The Frenchman’s double takes him to 40 career Champions League goals.
Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images
Julián Álvarez (73′) 8: With perhaps his best strike to date in red and white, the Argentinian noted his fourth goal in the Champions League this season. The seemingly unconnected figure from the start of the season is a thing of the past. His link-up play with teammates was near-on flawless.
Subs
Quick (45′) 8: Had a minimally-taxing second half in the quarterback role, demonstrating the full range of his passing abilities, including a deceptive ball through for Griezmann’s second. What a player to have to bring off the bench, eh?
Conor Gallagher (73’) 5: Another game of banding about between opposition players in a left-sided position that he doesn’t seem to look all too comfortable in, yet he hasn’t put a foot wrong.
Alexander Sørloth (73′) 5: Contributed little to nothing on the ball, brought on to bully the Slovan defence into a sustained tiredness.
Rodrigo Riquelme (73′) 6: A lively cameo from Roro down the left that (still) lacked a goal or assist to put him back in contention for a place in the starting lineup.
