Atlético Madrid 4-0 Barcelona Player Ratings: Rojiblancos Humbled Bluagrana in a 4-0 Riot at Metropolitano

When was the last time Barcelona were taken apart like this? The Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano turned into a nightmare the visitors will want to erase fast. Before diving into the Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona player ratings, it’s worth soaking in just how ruthless this display was.

Barca were stunned inside three minutes as Eric Garcia turned the ball into his own net, and that was only the beginning. Atletico Madrid brought relentless heat, forcing error after error from a shaken Blaugrana backline. The hosts doubled their lead in stunning fashion, with Juan Musso launching a perfect 70-yard ball to Lookman before Griezmann coolly finished past a helpless Joan Garcia. Barcelona’s dangerously high defensive line was begging to be punished, and Atleti gladly obliged.

Then came more devastation. Simeone’s pace tore through Barcelona once again, Griezmann slipped in Lookman, and this time the winger made no mistake. A breathtaking first half from the Rojiblancos. Still, they weren’t done. With Barcelona’s defense asleep once more, Lookman teed up Alvarez, who unleashed a thunderbolt beyond Garcia’s reach.

The defensive frailties of Barcelona were laid bare for all to see. A shambolic own goal, followed by a red card for Eric García, summed up their evening. What stood out to us was the complete lack of leadership and organization at the back. Hansi Flick has a monumental task ahead of him to fix this mess, while Diego Simeone will be overjoyed with his team's ruthless efficiency. Nahuel Molina went berserk today, as he kept his counter-part silent for most of the time, and deservedly the best player on the pitch tonight. While Eric Garcia had a game to forget.

Key Takeaways

• Atletico Madrid were ruthless from the opening minute, exposing Barcelona’s high defensive line again and again with pace, pressing, and quick transitions.
• Barcelona completely lost control after the early own goal, with errors piling up and confidence draining from every line of the pitch.
• Diego Simeone’s tactical setup was near perfect, while Hansi Flick’s side looked unprepared for the intensity and physicality of a big knockout night.

Atletico Madrid Player Ratings vs Barcelona

Check out the Atletico Madrid player ratings against FC Barcelona.

Goalkeeper

Juan Musso - 8.0: A commanding presence in goal. We noticed his confidence from the start, making four crucial saves to deny any hope of a Barcelona comeback. He claimed the ball well in the air and his distribution was solid. It was a performance that radiated calm amidst Barcelona's chaos.

Defenders

Nahuel Molina - 9.0: Our Man of the Match, without a shadow of a doubt. He was an absolute dynamo on the right flank, providing a superb assist for Griezmann's goal. He created two big chances and was a constant threat going forward. Defensively, he was just as impressive, winning his duels and making key clearances. A complete performance and the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Dávid Hancko - 7.5: What stood out to us was his reading of the game. He made an incredible four interceptions, snuffing out danger before it even developed. He was a rock at the back, winning his aerial duels and making crucial blocks. Barcelona's attackers must have hated playing against him tonight.

Matteo Ruggeri - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular outing. He did his defensive duties well, making a couple of important tackles. However, he was dribbled past a couple of times and picked up a late yellow card. He supported the attack but it was his defensive work that was most needed.

Marc Pubill - 6.0: A quiet evening for the defender. He seemed to struggle with the pace and trickery of Lamine Yamal, which is understandable. He was booked and didn't offer a great deal going forward. Did his job but was probably the quietest of the backline.

Midfielders

Koke - 7.0: A true captain's display. He was the heartbeat of the midfield, breaking up play and recycling possession effectively. His experience was vital in controlling the tempo of the game. He recovered the ball eight times, showing his relentless work rate.

Marcos Llorente - 6.5: He ran his socks off as he always does, covering every blade of grass. However, it wasn't his most influential game on the ball, and getting dribbled past three times surprised us. His nine-ball recoveries show his commitment, but he's had better days.

Giuliano Simeone - 7.0: A bundle of energy and aggression. He was a complete nuisance to the Barcelona midfield, drawing fouls and pressing relentlessly. He missed a big chance, but his chaotic energy was infectious and perfectly suited to the game plan.

Ademola Lookman - 8.5: Absolutely electric. In just 73 minutes, he scored a goal and provided a fantastic assist. His direct running and pace terrified the Barcelona defence. Every time he got the ball, you felt something was about to happen.

Forwards

Antoine Griezmann - 8.0: Class is permanent. He took his goal beautifully and was a creative force, linking play with intelligence and vision. His movement off the ball was sublime, constantly finding pockets of space. He made the difficult look simple before his substitution.

Julián Alvarez - 8.0: A goal and an assist for the World Cup winner. His tireless running and clinical finish were a joy to watch. He perfectly embodies the spirit of this Simeone team. He was a constant thorn in the side of Barcelona's defenders during his time on the pitch.

Manager

D. Simeone - 9.0: A tactical masterclass from the Argentine. His game plan was executed to perfection. His team was aggressive, organized, and utterly ruthless in exploiting Barcelona's glaring weaknesses. He completely outcoached his opposite number on a famous night for the club.

FC Barcelona Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid

Here are the Barcelona player ratings for the Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona clash.

Goalkeeper

Joan García - 3.0: A complete horror show. It's tough to watch a player have a night like this. The early own goal was desperately unlucky, but it set the tone for a performance riddled with errors. He looked shaky and devoid of confidence.

Defenders

Jules Koundé - 7.0: The only defender who can hold his head high. We were impressed by his fighting spirit in a losing cause. He made two clearances off the line and even created three chances going forward. He was let down badly by everyone around him.

Pau Cubarsí - 5.0: A harsh lesson for the young defender. He was part of a defence that was torn to shreds and looked out of his depth against Atlético's attack. Had a goal correctly disallowed by VAR. He has immense talent, but this was a night where his inexperience showed.

Alejandro Balde - 5.5: He tried to provide an outlet on the left and had some success with his dribbling. But his primary job is to defend, and the backline he was part of was a shambles. He just couldn't cope with the relentless pressure and movement from Atlético.

Eric García - 2.0: An absolute catastrophe of a performance. The red card for a reckless challenge was the culmination of a dreadful evening. The stats sheet also bizarrely credits him with an own goal. He was a liability from start to finish and the worst performer on the pitch by a country mile.

Midfielders

Frenkie de Jong - 6.5: He kept the ball moving with his usual tidiness, boasting a 98% pass accuracy. But from our perspective, the game completely passed him by. He was unable to dictate play or break through Atlético's suffocating midfield press.

Fermín López - 6.0: All energy but no end product. He got into some good positions and wasn't afraid to shoot, but he missed a big chance, and his decision-making was poor. His frustration was evident, culminating in a yellow card. Showed fight but lacked quality.

Marc Casadó - 5.0: Looked completely lost. He was hooked after just 37 minutes, a clear admission that the experiment had failed. He picked up an early yellow card and couldn't get a foothold in the game. A very tough night for the youngster.

Forwards

Lamine Yamal - 7.5: Barcelona's shining light on a dark, dark night. It was incredible to watch him continue to fight, taking on players and trying to create something from nothing. He won 13 duels and completed 6 dribbles. He deserved so much better from his teammates.

Ferran Torres - 5.0: Another passenger in the Barcelona team. He was largely anonymous and missed a big chance when he had it. He offered very little threat, and his work rate was questionable. A really disappointing display when his team needed him.

Dani Olmo - 6.0: Floated around the pitch without ever really influencing the game. He created a couple of chances, but his overall impact was minimal. His body language suggested a deep frustration with how the game was unfolding. A night he'll want to forget quickly.

Manager

H. Flick - 3.0: A disastrous tactical display. His team selection seemed wrong from the start, and they looked completely unprepared for the intensity that awaited them. They were defensively chaotic and lacked any coherent attacking plan. A truly humiliating evening for the German manager.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Nahuel Molina.

Worst Performer

Eric García was the worst performer in the Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona match.