Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Player Ratings

FC Barcelona welcomed Atletico Madrid to Camp Nou with both teams' hopes of La Liga title hanging in balance. In a scrappy game, where both teams dominated a half each, Barcelona emerged as winners courtesy a Leo Messi goal.

The first half saw Barcelona control the proceedings. Atletico never even had a sniff at goal, such was Barcelona's domination. Lionel Messi curled one over a high jumping wall into the top corner to give FC Barcelona the lead. However, disappointingly, Andres Iniesta had to be taken off due to injury.

The second half saw Atletico come out with all their guns blazing. They dominated the possession. However, that was about it that they could manage. Marshaled by Gerard Pique, Barcelona saw out the game against a resurgent and willing Atletico Madrid.

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Barcelona v Atletico Madrid - La Liga: Quini was given a special tribute before the game.

Let's take a look at how the players fared for their respective teams:

Atletico Madrid

Jan Oblak: 7/10

The Atletico Madrid custodian was a solid presence at the back. He was called into action quite often and did well on all occasions. He made excellent stops throughout the match to keep his team in the game. Maybe he could have done better with Messi's freekick had he made his mind up regarding which side to go a moment earlier.

Sime Vrsaljko: 5.5/10

This was not a match he would like to remember as he was beaten quite often by Iniesta and Alba combination. Additionally, he was also disappointing in the attack. If Atletico wants to win the next few matches, they need Vrsaljko firing on full throttle rather than his performance in today's match

Jose Gimenez: 8/10

The centre-back, like his defensive partners, was always alert to the dangers Barcelona players posed to his goal and was ever-ready to deal with them. He never gave an inch of space to anyone in and around the penalty box.

Diego Godin: 7/10

Godin put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Suarez and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles to keep Atletico in the game. However, his age seems to be catching up now.

Felipe Luis: 6/10

Luis defended his team's left flank quite diligently. He was alert and always ready to go into a tackle. However, he was quite often overwhelmed by the Coutinho and Roberto combo in the first half. In the second half, he was well marked out of the game by Andre Gomes and had almost zero effects on the proceedings.

Saul Niguez: 5.5/10

Saul looked sharp in possession and enjoyed the ball at his feet. However, he just could not deliver the end product. For all the numerical advantages in possession that Atletico had, Saul could not guide it into a positive result too.

Thomas Partey: 7/10

This was not a flashy performance for the Ghana midfielder, however, it was an effective one. He dispossessed Barcelona’s midfielders quite a few times and used the ball efficiently.

Gabi: 5.5/10

Like his partner in the middle, he too was solid defensively but looked ineffective on the few occasions he pushed forward. However, the second half saw him fade away before being replaced in search of a goal.

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Barcelona v Atletico Madrid - La Liga: Thomas Partey was the best Atletico midfielder of the night.

Koke: 6.5/10

Koke had a decent game. Though he was not much influential in the first half, he came out on top in the midfield battle against Barca’s midfield after the restart. His distribution was efficient if not eye-catching.

Antoine Griezmann: 4.5/10

If this was any sort of audition for a summer transfer to FC Barcelona, he failed miserably. He went anonymous in the first half while looking clueless in the second. This might as well be his worst performance of the season.

Diego Costa: 5/10

Diego worked hard and tirelessly, but could not get the better of Gerard Pique. His decision making was quite erratic and he never could get into any decent attacking positions or deliver a decent final ball.

Substitutes

Angel Correa: 7/10

His introduction did add a spark to Atletico's attack. He was always available for a pass and often made the right decisions with it.

Kevin Gamiero: 5/10

Brought on By Cholo Simeone in search of a goal, he could not do anything of note to change the scoreline. he did score once only for the flag to be raised after Costa was judged offside previously.

Lucas Hernandez: 6/10

On for a disappointing Felipe Luis, he certainly fared a bit better than his predecessor. However, with such little time afforded to him, there was little of note that he could have done.

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