Atletico Madrid 2-0 Barcelona: Player Ratings as Luis Suarez goal piles misery on shocking Blaugrana performance | La Liga 2021-22

Barcelona were dismal against Atletico Madrid
Barcelona were dismal against Atletico Madrid

Barcelona have crumbled yet again. On a night that demanded sources of Catalan inspiration against a determined Atletico Madrid unit, the Blaugrana have managed to fail yet another test with aplomb.

Diego Simeone's side coasted to a 2-0 La Liga victory against Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano and barely broke a sweat. The Catalan giants have several systemic issues to address at the moment and will need to make the most of a much-needed international break to bring themselves together.

Luis Suarez finds the back of the net as Atletico Madrid outclass Barcelona

The first half saw several intriguing pieces of play as Barcelona failed to make the most of their possession. Atletico Madrid looked threatening on the counter with Joao Felix particularly tormenting Blaugrana with his movement.

As has now become the norm, Barcelona's defence conspired to shoot itself in the foot at the half-hour mark as Atletico Madrid scythed through their opponents with Thomas Lemar scoring the first goal. Los Colchoneros could have doubled their lead only minutes later with a near-identical move, only for Luis Suarez to fire his effort wide.

Barcelona did find some joy at the other end of the pitch with Frenkie de Jong and Philippe Coutinho making intelligent runs off the ball. Atletico Madrid stood their ground admirably, however, and were rewarded with another goal before half-time as Luis Suarez completed a blistering counter-attack to score against his former side.

Luis Suarez scored against his former side
Luis Suarez scored against his former side

Barcelona attempted to approach the second half with a renewed zest but largely failed to trouble Jan Oblak. The away side did manage one threatening counter-attack but failed to convert what was a rare goalscoring opportunity at the hour-mark.

Ansu Fati briefly sparked Barcelona into life but was left isolated as Atletico Madrid raised their defensive shields. Los Colchoneros managed proceedings with ease towards the end of the game and emerged with a comfortable 2-0 victory against a thoroughly underwhelming Barcelona outfit.


Atletico Madrid Player Ratings

Atletico Madrid were impressive against Barcelona
Atletico Madrid were impressive against Barcelona

Jan Oblak - 7/10

Jan Oblak had surprisingly little to do against Barcelona and enjoyed a comfortable outing. The shot-stopper did well to save Coutinho's shot in the second half and was rarely troubled by Barcelona's attack.

Jose Gimenez - 7.5/10

Jose Gimenez marshalled Atletico Madrid's defensive line with ease and did well against Memphis Depay. The Uruguayan defender did face a few difficult moments in the first half but was up to the task.

Stefan Savic - 7.5/10

Stefan Savic complemented Gimenez brilliantly in defence and occupied a fairly deep position to account for Barcelona's late runs. Savic was more comfortable in the second half and also enjoyed a positive outing.

Mario Hermoso - 7/10

Mario Hermoso had surprisingly little to do in the first half but marked Barcelona's late runs with admirable tenacity. The centre-back was taken off for Felipe in the second half.

Koke - 8/10

Koke put in the quintessential captain's performance and took up the role of midfield general to excellent effect. The Spanish midfielder's vocal leadership had a visible impact on his teammates throughout the game.

Rodrigo De Paul - 6.5/10

Rodrigo De Paul put in a massive shift against the likes of Gavi and Sergio Busquets in the first half and did not see much of the ball against Barcelona. The Argentina midfielder was replaced by Kieran Trippier in the second half as Atletico Madrid opted for a change in shape.

Thomas Lemar - 8.5/10

Thomas Lemar arguably enjoyed his best performance in an Atletico Madrid shirt against Barcelona. The Frenchman made no mistake against Ter Stegen with his goal and embarked on an exceptional run to bag an assist in the first half.

Marcos Llorente - 6.5/10

Marcos Llorente was visibly hampered by his defensive duties against Barcelona and was unable to move up the pitch. The Spaniard did put in a shift in his own half and was a reliable presence on the right flank.

Yannick Carrasco - 7/10

Yannick Carrasco put in a fairly subdued performance against Barcelona and spent much of his time in his own half. The Belgian winger did trouble Mingueza on a couple of occasions and had an impressive outing.

Joao Felix - 8.5/10

Joao Felix was arguably the best player on the pitch against Barcelona. The Portuguese winger could do no wrong in the final third and played pivotal roles in both of his side's goals.

Luis Suarez - 7.5/10

Luis Suarez did miss an excellent opportunity in the first half-hour but was in no mood to be bogged down. The Uruguayan striker made amends with a clinical finish before half-time and got the better of former teammate Pique on several occasions.


Substitutes

Antoine Griezmann featured against his former teammates
Antoine Griezmann featured against his former teammates

Kieran Trippier - 7/10

Kieran Trippier replaced Rodrigo De Paul after half-time and also had very little to do against a toothless Barcelona attack.

Angel Correa - 6.5/10

Angel Correa came on as a substitute in the second half but was unable to exert his influence as Atletico Madrid looked to set up a defensive block against Barcelona's attack.

Antoine Griezmann - 6/10

Antoine Griezmann is yet to find his feet at Atletico Madrid and was unable to make the most of some excellent counter-attacking positions against Barcelona.

Felipe - 6.5/10

Felipe replaced Mario Hermoso towards the end of the game and impressed with his short cameo in Atletico Madrid's defence.

Renan Lodi - 6/10

Renan Lodi was a late substitute against Barcelona and did not have enough time on the ball to make much of an impact.

Barcelona Player Ratings

Barcelona failed to impress against Atletico Madrid
Barcelona failed to impress against Atletico Madrid

Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 6/10

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could have done more to stop Lemar's goal but can hardly be faulted for his side's performance. The German shot-stopper was accurate with his distribution and had a relatively error-free outing.

Gerard Pique - 3/10

Gerard Pique's performances have taken a turn for the worse over the past week and hit another low against Atletico Madrid. The Barcelona veteran was dragged out of position for Thomas Lemar's opening goal and did his side no favours on the night.

Ronald Araujo - 6/10

Ronald Araujo was also caught napping for the second goal but did manage to bounce back with some important interventions against Atletico Madrid. The Uruguayan ventured forward in search of a goal in the second half but was starved of service in the final third.

Oscar Mingueza - 6/10

Oscar Mingueza held his ground against the dynamic Yannick Carrasco but was caught out of position for both goals in the first half. The Barcelona right-back was replaced by Luuk de Jong towards the end of the game as the Catalans looked for a comeback.

Sergino Dest - 4/10

Barring a few fleeting moments of promise, Sergino Dest offered precious little on Barcelona's left flank and was far too predictable with his movements. The American youngster has plenty to learn in La Liga and will need to take it up a notch to keep his place in the side.

Sergio Busquets - 5.5/10

Sergio Busquets did well to ensure that Barcelona kept the ball for the most part but his lack of pace rendered him ineffective against Atletico Madrid's blistering counter-attacks.

Nico Gonzalez - 5/10

Nico Gonzalez looked fairly out of his depth against a formidable Atletico Madrid midfield and was caught out on the counter on a number of occasions. The La Masia did manage a few silky touches but was replaced by Sergi Roberto after half-time.

Frenkie de Jong - 4/10

Frenkie de Jong can be one of the most effervescent midfielders on his day and it's incredibly surprising that he is pushed into a wide role for Barcelona. The Dutchman was virtually anonymous for most of the game and was largely unable to influence the movement of the ball.

Gavi - 7/10

Gavi gave a good account of himself against a formidable opponent and was one of Barcelona's best players on the night. The La Masia youngster created an excellent opportunity for Coutinho and was able to leave the pitch with his head held high.

Philippe Coutinho - 6/10

Philippe Coutinho was one of Barcelona's better players in the first half and nearly scored an equaliser with an impressive volley. The Brazilian squandered an excellent chance to score on the counter after the hour-mark, however, and was eventually replaced by Ansu Fati.

Memphis Depay - 6/10

Memphis Depay did lose the ball on a fair few occasions but was crowded out by swarms of Atletico Madrid defenders. The Barcelona striker tapped into important spaces in the first half but was unable to link up with his teammates in the final third.


Substitutes

Atletico Madrid held Barcelona in a stranglehold
Atletico Madrid held Barcelona in a stranglehold

Sergi Roberto - 5.5/10

Sergi Roberto replaced Nico Gonzalez after half-time but could do little to help Barcelona's cause. The Catalan utility man did manage a few crosses but was unable to cause Jan Oblak any discomfort.

Ansu Fati - 6.5/10

Ansu Fati was Barcelona's only attacking spark in the second half and made a discernible impact on his side's play. The youngster showed flashes of brilliance and won a number of free-kicks for the Blaugrana.

Luuk de Jong - 5.5/10

Luuk de Jong barely had a touch of the ball against Atletico Madrid and was staved of service in the penalty area. The striker was unable to get to the end of his teammates' crosses and put in another ineffective performance.

Riqui Puig - 6.5/10

Riqui Puig attempted to clean up Barcelona's midfield act in the second half and did manage a few one-twos with some of his teammates. The diminutive midfielder found very little support in the final third, however, and was unable to unlock Atletico Madrid's defence.

Clement Lenglet - 6/10

Clement Lenglet was a late substitute for Sergino Dest and had very little impact on the game.

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Edited by Aditya Hosangadi
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