Angel Correa, Marcos Llorente and Yannick Carrasco starred as Atletico Madrid thrashed Eibar 5-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday.
The game was off to a dour start with neither team creating anything of note for the first 40 minutes of so. However, things exploded in the dying stages of the first half as two quickfire goals from Angel Correa put Atletico Madrid in complete control of the contest. The Rojiblancos carried on from where they left off after restart as Yannick Carrasco soon made it 3-0 in the 49th minute.
Marcos Llorente, returning after his suspension, then went on to find the back of the net just four minutes later to heap further misery on Eibar. The ex-Real Madrid man was on target once again in the 68th minute to add more sheen to the scoreline. Atletico Madrid took the foot off the pedal after the fifth goal with Diego Simeone making a string of changes as they saw off the game without any problems.
The fact that Eibar did not have a single shot on the day is an indicator of how good Atletico were once they got going late in the first half. The result sees them open up a four-point gap over Real Madrid, who face Getafe later on Sunday. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over the Atletico Madrid stars after five-star display at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Jan Oblak: 6/10
Had absolutely nothing to do in terms of saves as Eibar did not register a single shot on the afternoon. Fairly accurate with his passes from the back. One of the easiest clean sheets he’ll have ever kept.
Kieran Trippier: 7/10
Recovered from a minor back issue to start here and was a constant outlet down the right-hand side. Delivered two key passes and almost got an assist with a corner but Felipe missed with a header late on.
Stefan Savic: 6.5/10
Never really had to exert himself too much with Eibar not offering a great deal of offensive threat. Still coped with whatever little he had to, winning three aerials and completing a couple of tackles.
Jose Maria Gimenez: 6.5/10
Much like his defensive partner, dealt with any long balls or crosses that Eibar tried to play in fairly easily, winning a couple of aerial duels and making a game-high four clearances. Accurate with his distribution as well, completing 90% of his passes. Came out on top in his duel against Kike Garcia.
Renan Lodi: 7/10
Reinstated at left-back with Simeone switching formations, the Brazilian, like Trippier on the opposite flank, was a constant forward outlet for Atletico. While he may have failed to score or assist or play a key pass, Lodi was involved in the buildup to two of the five goals Atleti scored.
Saul Niguez: 7/10
Looked up for it from the start as he showed great intensity and purpose both on and off the ball. While his starting position may have been on the right, drifted centrally more often than not to link up with the likes of Llorente. Great pass to set Carrasco up for the third goal and played a role in the lead-up to the fourth goal as well.
WHY AREN'T WE TALKING ABOUT THAT SAÚL PASS? THIS IS A THREAT START TALKING ABOUT THAT SAÚL PASS❗❗❕❕
— AU (@parteyismo) April 18, 2021
Hector Herrera: 7/10
Solid in the middle of the park, even though there were a few sloppy moments. Kept things ticking along nicely for the most part, completing 75 of his 82 passes that also had an assist for Correa’s first goal to kick things off for Atletico on the afternoon.
Koke: 7/10
A good day’s work in the office for the Atletico Madrid captain who kept things locked down in the middle along with Herrera and offered a platform for his team to attack. As always, was calm and composed with the ball at his feet, misplacing just three passes. Given a breather for the final half hour or so.
Yannick Carrasco: 9/10
Building on from his goal-scoring display against Real Betis, Carrasco tested the Eibar goalkeeper just past the 30-minute mark before setting Correa up for his second goal of the game on the cusp of half-time. Added his own name to the scoresheet with a well-taken goal early into the second period before being on hand to set Llorente up for the fifth goal. Looked a threat each time he ran at the visitors’ defence before being withdrawn for the last 20 minutes.
Marcos Llorente: 9/10
Marcos Llorente has scored twice in a game for the first time since March 2020 when he scored twice at Anfield to knock Liverpool out of the Champions League.
⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/XAHuOn9CEa
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 18, 2021
Back into the side after serving out his suspension, Llorente makes such a difference to this Atletico side with his energy and line-breaking forward runs. Linked up well with the likes of Trippier, Saul and Correa throughout before stamping his authority on the proceedings with two very well-taken goals in the second half. Finished with 96% pass accuracy, one key placed, one interception along with a joint game-high three tackles. Clutch.
Angel Correa: 9/10
Had faced some ire after the last game when he wasn’t able to beat Real Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Let his game do the talking with a fine display against Eibar. Playing a lot more centrally than he usually does, the 26-year-old got the ball rolling for Atletico poking home from Herrera’s knockdown before doubling his tally on the day soon after as he got turned past an Eibar defender to bury the ball into the net.
Got the assist for Llorente’s first goal in the second half with a neat pullback. As usual, pressed hard from the top and also managed to complete three tackles along with two key passes.
Angel Correa vs. Eibar:
100% conversion rate
100% take-on success
26 touches
6 duels won
3 tackles
2 take-ons
2 chances created
2 shots on target
2 goals
1 assistA superb performance. ? pic.twitter.com/c0oSOar8S7
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 18, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Moussa Dembele: 6/10
The January signing came on for Correa in the 61st minute. Having struggled with injury and fitness woes, it was good to see him out on the pitch. Didn’t get involved much as Atletico went into cruise control mode but did display some neat touches.
Vitolo: 6/10
On for Koke for the final half hour, the winger made his 100th appearance for Atletico Madrid in the process. Misplaced just one of his 13 attempted passes.
Geoffrey Kondogbia: 6/10
Replaced Herrera in the 70th minute. Sat deep and ensured Eibar didn’t threaten in the final stages of the game.
Lucas Torreira: 6/10
On for Carrasco for the last twenty minutes, like Kondogbia, the Arsenal loanee was brought on to see off the game without conceding a goal and he helped the team do just that.
Felipe: N/A
Replaced Savic for the final fifteen minutes.
