Kieran Trippier impressed while Toni Lato was an inadvertent culprit as Atletico Madrid beat Valencia 1-0 to go level with Real Sociedad atop La Liga.
Atletico Madrid thoroughly dominated the proceedings from start to finish, with Valencia having just one noteworthy moment in front of goal all game. The first half, though, belonged to Jaume Domenech, who made a couple of outstanding saves to keep the game tied at 0-0 going into half-time.
Post the interval, Atletico Madrid continued to assert their authority, but failed to create any clear-cut chances. However, it was the visitors who ended up breaking the deadlock, albeit in extremely fortunate manner, as a cross by Yannick Carrasco was turned into his own net by Toni Lato, 11 minutes from time.
The Colchoneros would go on to hold on to their advantage tightly, as the game ended 1-0 in their favour. The result saw Atletico Madrid go level on points with Real Sociedad atop La Liga, having played a game less, while Valencia dropped to 11th on the table. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both sets of players.
Valencia
Jaume Domenech: 8/10
The clear standout for the hosts, Domenech was the only Valencia player who did not deserve to be on the losing side. The Valencia skipper made 5 saves, with two to deny Thomas Lemar being particularly impressive.
3 – Goalkeepers with the most saves in @LaLigaEN this season:
38 – JAUME DOMÉNECH ?? (16 goals conceded)
33 – Edgar Badia ?? (10)
30 – JAN OBLAK ?? (2)
Duel.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 28, 2020
Daniel Wass: 7/10
A busy evening for Wass, who had the tricky Lemar to deal with. The Dane made some important contributions, notably clearing the ball off the line once. Going forward, though, he did not make a great deal of impact apart from one chance created.
Gabriel Paulista: 6/10
A decent enough performance by Gabriel, who never let Angel Correa or Joao Felix get on top of him. Made 4 clearances and 4 interceptions, but let the ball go down the Valencia box before Lato scored the own goal.
Hugo Guillamon: 6/10
A solid display by Guillamon, who was precise with the ball at his feet while clearing the ball out of danger a few times. However, his outing ended early in the second half due to a muscle injury.
Toni Lato: 4/10
Not a game in which Lato could make any sort of impression going down the left flank. His passing let him down as well, with the full-back losing possession 14 times. The kicker, though, came in the form of his own goal, which killed the match for Valencia.
Yunus Musah: 5/10
Highly rated and chased by Arsenal among other clubs, Musah invariably had the pressure on him to deliver. However, on Saturday, the youngster barely carried a threat and was left anonymous. Hardly misplaced a pass but did little with the ball.
Carlos Soler: 5/10
Valencia’s leader on the pitch, Soler had the task of dictating play. However, with Atletico Madrid dominating the proceedings, the Spaniard struggled to impose himself, with the game almost passing him by.
Uros Racic: 6/10
Much like Soler, Racic struggled to grow into the game. However, he did force Jan Oblak into a fine save even if inadvertently so, although the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper reacted sharply.
Goncalo Guedes: 6/10
Guedes was not quite at his best against Atletico Madrid. However, the Portuguese international did carry a threat higher up the pitch on the odd occasion. Having said that, more was needed from him.
Maximiliano Gomez: 6/10
Back into the starting lineup, it was a frustrating evening for Gomez, who was starved of service and often had to drift wide to see any action on the ball. Had a shot blocked as well.
Manu Vallejo: 5/10
Manu Vallejo was all over the pitch on Saturday, but failed to do anything noteworthy in the game. Could not even muster a single shot on goal.
SUBSTITUTES
Eliaquim Mangala: 7/10
On for Guillamon, Mangala was solid at the back, especially in the air where he won his one duel. Did well to play out from the back as well.
Kevin Gameiro: 5/10
Replacing Gomez, Gameiro continued in the same vein, touching the ball a mere 4 times.
Thierry Correia: 6/10
On for the underperforming Musah, Correia settled in at right-back, as Wass moved forward. The youngster had a solid outlet, but let Yannick Carrasco cross the ball for the winner.
Ruben Sobrino: 5/10
Hardly made an impact after replacing Vallejo.
Jason: N/A
A late introduction, Jason had no time to make an impression.
Atletico Madrid
Jan Oblak: 7/10
200th league appearance for Atletico Madrid
112th clean sheet
Jan Oblak has Atleti in good hands ? pic.twitter.com/sgepK3K7E5
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 28, 2020
Oblak did not really have a great deal to do, but his save to deny the cross/shot by Racic was top class. Otherwise, the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper was untroubled. 112th clean sheet on his 200th La Liga appearance for Atletico Madrid.
Stefan Savic: 7/10
The Atletico Madrid defence was unperturbed and Savic kept Vallejo in check all game long. Won 7 duels and made a couple of important tackles as well.
Jose Gimenez: 7/10
Solid in the centre of the back-three, Gimenez organised the defensive line smartly, barely giving the Valencia attack an inch. Had a couple of chances to score on the opposite end, but spurned those opportunities.
Mario Hermoso: 7/10
Hermoso saw a lot of the ball playing his new role and the Spanish international was key in helping Atletico Madrid build play up from the back. Defensively, he was solid, making 3 interceptions.
Kieran Trippier: 8/10
An excellent performance by Trippier, who constantly carried a threat down the right flank. Played 3 key passes and even created one huge chance, only to not get a deserved assist.
Koke: 8/10
26 – @atletienglish have not lost any of their last 26 @LaLigaEN games with Koke Resurrección (W17 D9), winning the last six, since a 1-0 defeat against Barcelona in December 1, 2019. Captain. pic.twitter.com/8GCP4ww76G
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 28, 2020
Koke was all over the pitch, snuffing out danger wherever it presented itself. The Atletico Madrid captain was also extremely accurate on the ball, misplacing just 7 passes while also creating a half chance.
Saul Niguez: 7/10
Like his partner-in-crime, Saul was a solid customer, as he usually is. Even more reliable on the ball, losing possession just 6 times.
Renan Lodi: 6/10
Starting as the left wing-back, Lodi was constantly stationed in the Valencia half and sent in a couple of dangerous crosses. However, he did not really create a notable chance, with Hermoso doing more from his flank.
Marcos Llorente: 6/10
Deployed in an advanced midfield role, Llorente did more work off the ball than on it. Did create a chance, but could not finish off the opportunity that was presented to him.
Thomas Lemar: 8/10
50% – Thomas Lemar ?? was involved in 50% of Atlético de Madrid’s shots against Valencia (7/14), with four shots (his highest tally in a game for the club) and three key passes. Impact. pic.twitter.com/ONnrwUxfHU
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 28, 2020
A frustrating yet promising display by Lemar, who could have celebrated a brace on another day. The Frenchman, though, would be buoyed by a positive performance, which also included 3 key passes.
Angel Correa: 6/10
The sole striker for Atletico Madrid, Correa did well to drag the Valencia defenders out of position at times, but could not finish off his chances.
SUBSTITUTES
Joao Felix: 6/10
Introduced at half-time, Felix did not have a gala time on the pitch and pulled his shots wide. Precise while linking up with teammates, though.
Yannick Carrasco: 7/10
Carrasco decisive once again as @atletienglish take the lead at Mestalla! ?#ValenciaAtleti pic.twitter.com/Zm44djId1q
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) November 28, 2020
The difference maker for Atletico Madrid, it was Carrasco’s cross that was turned into his own net by Toni Lato. Was a constant threat from the left flank.
Vitolo: 5/10
Hardly saw the ball during his time on the pitch in an anonymous display.
Geoffrey Kondogbia: 5/10
The ex-Valencia midfielder hardly made an impact against his former side.
