Atletico Madrid Suffers Shock Defeat

Atletico Madrid suffered a Champions League hangover and whimpered to a 2-0 defeat away to Real Sociedad on Saturday.

After the euphoria of sealing a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League in dramatic circumstances in midweek, this was a disappointing and underwhelming return to La Liga action.

Los Colchoneros were as miserable as the weather on a wet, windy afternoon. Two needless challenges gifted the Basque outfit a pair of spot kicks. They will rarely get visitors as obliging as Atleti.

Positives

None. Bar possibly the fact Atletico looked so tired following their Champions League win over FC Rostov (this was their third very tough away trip in a row immediately post European action, by the way) that Diego Simeone might now see he needs to rotate more.

Negatives

Where to start? Disjointed, out of sorts and out of legs. Against a compact outfit rarely did they look like making the breakthrough, bar one solitary first half Kevin Gameiro effort. If neither Yannick Carrasco nor Antoine Griezmann turn it on, it appears nobody is ready to fill the void.

Manager rating out of 10

3 — Simeone spoke of his mistakes in midweek but made more here. Keeps flogging his players, especially in midfield, and the lack of rotation combined with predictability has contributed to the side losing two of their last three La Liga games.

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

GK Jan Oblak, 6 — Made a great save from a curling Carlos Vela effort early on. Did not really look like saving either of the penalties, though, oddly electing not to dive for the first.

DF Juanfran, 5 — The only regular to have been given a breather in midweek, but you would not have known it. Was constantly on the back foot and when he got the chance to break forward, he either had no options or made the wrong decision.

DF Stefan Savic, 7 — One of very few Atletico players to come away with any credit. Dominant in the air, he also made a couple of decisive blocks and interventions.

DF Diego Godin, 5 — Headed over from a corner after two minutes — what could have been. Did not look his usual assured self and was booked for an uncharacteristically rash tackle in the second period. Has his head been turned by reported interest?

DF Filipe Luis, 5 — Alongside Gabi, probably the player who appeared to be suffering the most after 90 minutes in midweek. Not at the races at all and caught out of position far too often.

MF Saul Niguez, 5 — On the periphery and has not managed to recapture his form since getting injured. Fired straight at the keeper when well placed in the first half and should have done much better. Subbed on the hour.

MF Koke, 6 — The best of a bad bunch in midfield, but that is not saying much. Fought valiantly and helped recycle possession.

MF Gabi, 4 — Looked shattered, even early on. His disjointed performance was summed up by a silly, tired foul to give La Real their first penalty. The home side had not looked like scoring before that moment and it ultimately cost Los Rojiblancos.

MF Yannick Carrasco, 5 — Not afforded the space in which to work his magic. On the one occasion he broke through, the Belgian fluffed his lines from a wonderful counter attack spearheaded by Griezmann just before the hosts scored their first.

FW Antoine Griezmann, 7 — Alongside Savic the only other outfield player with any kind of decent display. Set up Gameiro to hit the post with brilliant tenacity to win the ball back in midfield. Also impressed for Carrasco’s skewed effort, when he tackled a Sociedad player on the edge of his own box before carrying the ball the length of the field. Fed a perfect pass but Atletico couldn’t turn it into a goal.

FW Kevin Gameiro, 5 — Was guilty of drifting too wide in the first half, which contributed to the team’s impotence given he is supposed to be the fox in the box. Unlucky to hit the post as he lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper, but truth be told he should have scored.

Substitutes:

Angel Correa (for Saul), 5 — Unable to weave his magic going forwards, his only meaningful contribution was to bring down Vela for the second penalty.

Fernando Torres (for Gameiro), 5 — On for the last half an hour, although until his booking in stoppage time you would not have known it.

Thomas Partey (for Gabi), N/R — Fresh legs in the middle but too little too late.