Antoine Griezmann made an impression as Atletico Madrid secured a 4-1 win over Cadiz on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid move into the second position in La Liga league table after securing a comfortable 4-1 win over Cadiz on Sunday. They are still trailing league leaders Real Madrid by four points but now have an advantage over the chasing pack, including Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Barcelona.
It was a game of two halves for Atletico Madrid, who had difficulties breaking the shackles of the Cadiz defence during the first half. In fact, it was quite an even affair with both sides trying to catch the opponents on the counter, but with very little success.
However, that changed in the second half as Atletico pushed harder for the winner. They got their breakthrough in the 56th minute, with Thomas Lemar capitalising on a fine ball from Yannick Carrasco. Los Colchoneros soon doubled their lead through Antoine Griezmann before Angel Correa sealed all three points with a 76th minute strike.
There was time for a fourth goal as well, but the strike from Matheus Cunha came just before Jan Oblak’s bizarre error that handed Cadiz a consolation goal in the 86th minute. And here, at The Hard Tackle, we will rate the Atletico Madrid players in their comprehensive victory over Cadiz this weekend.
Jan Oblak: 5/10
It was not the best of nights for Jan Oblak, whose bizarre error cost him and his side the valuable clean sheet. Other than that, the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper was not called into action much, with Cadiz only mustering one shot on target.
Jan Oblak will want this one back ? pic.twitter.com/rPFgwLpThV
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 28, 2021
Stefan Savic: 7/10
Operating on the right-hand side of the back three, Stefan Savic offered solidity in the Atletico defence. His dogged defensive nature came in handy in neutralising the threat of the Cadiz forwards.
Jose Maria Gimenez: N/A
Jose Gimenez marshalled the Atletico Madrid backline quite well. But his night was cut short, presumably due to a knock as he made way for Felipe around the half-hour mark.
Mario Hermoso: 6/10
Mario Hermoso had a couple of nervy moments where he could have done much better defensively. It includes the moment just before the goal when he was beaten by Anthony Lozano. Other than that, the former Real Madrid starlet had a relatively good game on the left-hand side of the backline.
Marcos Llorente: 8/10
Marcos Llorente was tasked with the responsibility of covering the right flank. He offered a lot of creative essence going forward, with his combination play with Thomas Lemar particularly catching the eye. He registered his first assist of the season by supplying an excellent cross for Griezmann’s goal around the 70th minute mark.
Thomas Lemar: 8.5/10
Thomas Lemar was one of the top performers for Atletico Madrid in this comprehensive victory. The Frenchman missed arguably the biggest chance of the game in the second half, but his combination play with his teammates in the final third made life difficult for the Cadiz defenders. Not to mention, he scored the all-important opener, thus opening the floodgates.
Thomas Lemar puts Atleti on the board ? pic.twitter.com/bVoMgncd4t
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) November 28, 2021
Rodrigo De Paul: 7/10
Operating in the advanced midfield position, Rodrigo De Paul tried to influence the game with his long balls forward and crosses from set-pieces. He remained solid in the middle of the park as well, offering security in possession for the away side.
Koke: 6.5/10
Koke had a relatively off day in the middle of the park. He controlled the game well but did not provide anything other than security for Atletico Madrid. It led to a lack of penetration in the final third for the visitors, especially in the first half.
Yannick Carrasco: 8/10
Yannick Carrasco continued his good form with yet another hard-working shift on the left flank. He registered the assist for Lemar’s opener while bombarding the flanks with his pace, aggression and tenacity. His contributions in the Atleti attack are indeed invaluable to the team, as the Belgian continues to establish himself as the safest starter in the team.
Luis Suarez: 6/10
Asked to spearhead the Atletico Madrid attack, Luis Suarez had an off day in the final third. He was unable to make a difference, especially in the first half. The forward improved in the second half, but it was largely because the team as a whole performed much better.
Antoine Griezmann: 9/10
Antoine Griezmann was the undisputed man of the match in this comprehensive win for Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman was simply unstoppable in the second half, emerging as the creator-in-chief for his team, thanks to some brilliant combination play in the final third and some exquisite balls in behind the defence, which notably led to the fourth goal from Lemar.
Griezmann's assist had the shades of De Bruyne in it?
Cunha's finish? https://t.co/vrUNGzA3YK
— ᴀᴛʟᴇᴛɪᴄᴀɴ ?? (@Atletican1) November 29, 2021
Griezmann netted the all-important second goal as well, helping Atleti move one step closer towards securing all three points. Atletico Madrid will be hoping that the French international continues his good form in the upcoming matches, as they seek to avoid a direct elimination from the Champions League.
SUBSTITUTES
Felipe: 7/10
Felipe came in for Gimenez early on in the proceedings. He effortlessly slotted in at centre-back, playing a key role in neutralising the threat of Ruben Sobrino.
Matheus Cunha: 7.5/10
Matheus Cunha made a noticeable impact after coming on for Suarez in the 73rd minute. He registered an exquisite assist for the third goal by Angel Correa before getting on to the scoresheet himself late in the game.
Angel Correa: 7/10
Angel Correa was impressive after coming on as a late substitute. He scored the third goal that helped Atleti seal all three points against Cadiz.
