Atletico Madrid Progress In Copa del Rey

Atletico Madrid ensured 2016 ended on a high with a 4-1 victory over Guijuelo in the Copa del Rey on a freezing Tuesday night at the Vicente Calderon.

Several fringe players showed they might be ready to contribute come the second half of the season, from which Diego Simeone will take heart, although the 6-0 first-leg cushion may have played a part in that. First-half strikes from Nicolas Gaitan, Angel Correa, Juanfran and Fernando Torres did the damage, and when Raul Ruiz was dismissed for the visitors before the break, Atleti “declared,” to use cricketing parlance. Guijuelo, to their credit, never gave up and Antonio Pino’s stunning late header was a deserved reward for their endeavour on the night.

7 — Hard one given the circumstances, but he managed to get a tune out of a couple of players who have not looked like they are of the required standard. The club will hope that will give them confidence.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Miguel Moya, 6 — Will have busier nights, that is for sure. Helpless for the goal but made a couple of smart, if comfortable, stops.

DF Sime Vrsaljko, 8 — Is growing in confidence and finally starting to show his quality given the opportunity. Was a menace all night attacking from right-back and was equally as comfortable when moved to left-hand side in the second period.

DF Stefan Savic, 6 — Did what was required. Not to blame for the goal, but this was yet another game in which he played that the side did not keep a clean sheet. It cannot be coincidence.

DF Jose Maria Gimenez, 6 — Like Savic, the Uruguayan had little to do in defence and was moved into holding midfield after the break with the substitutions and tactical reshuffle. Actually looked very tidy in there and never sharked a tackle — an option for the future, perhaps?

DF Lucas Hernandez, 6 — Solid enough at left-back. Moved to partner Savic in the centre when Simeone changed things but was caught out of position for the goal.

MF Juanfran, 8 — Joined the club as a marauding right winger in January 2011 and finally got to play there nearly six years later. Rolled back the years on the flank with some quick feet and scored a delight of a goal. A genuine option to play there in the big games.

MF Thomas Partey, 7 — Produced a purposeful run to set up the opener and was solid all night. Got his foot on the ball and used it solidly, if unspectacularly.

MF Saul Niguez, 6 — Tidy when in possession and has been better in recent weeks; the club will hope it’s a sign of things to come in 2017.

MF Nicolas Gaitan, 8 — His best game for the club without doubt. OK, this was Guijuelo, but the quality in his curled opening goal would have beaten any goalkeeper. Needs to use this as a springboard for the second half of the season.

FW Angel Correa, 8 — Another who needs to use this as a catalyst and build upon it come January. Produced an emphatic finish for the second and bagged himself two assists to boot.

FW Fernando Torres, 7 — Skipper for the night, this was a “Torres” of a performance. Got himself on the score sheet but should have had a hat trick after missing a couple of sitters.

Substitutes

FW Alessio Cerci, 6 — On for his first game for the club in two years, the Italian was given a warm reception, albeit but you suspect it was a farewell, to put him in the shop window cameo.

MF Yannick Carrasco , NR — Not the wisest decision to bring him on with the side leading 10-0 on aggregate given the off chance of him picking up an injury. Thankfully did not.

FW Kevin Gameiro , NR — Forced the visiting keeper into a save and hit the side netting.