Atletico Madrid 2-1 Leverkusen Player Ratings: Magical Alvarez applies two tidy finishes to turn the game around for the hosts

Atletico Madrid hosted Leverkusen at their Civitas Metropolitano in the UEFA Champions League on January 21 and secured a dramatic 2-1 win.

The game got off to a fiery start in the first half with tackles flying in from both teams. Atleti’s Pablo Barrios crossed the line midway through the first half and was sent off for a rash tackle. The visitors made the most of this and grabbed the lead on the cusp of half-time. Piero Hincapie headed in to make it 1-0 after a cross from Nordi Mukiele.

Julian Alvarez leveled things up for Atletico Madrid in the second half, scoring to make it 1-1 just seven minutes after the restart. The game to a rash turn as players continued to make tough tackles. Hincapie received a second yellow and was sent off in the 76^th minute, making matters interesting. Alvarez then grabbed the winner in the 90^th minute after rounding the keeper to make it 2-1.

On that note, let’s take a look at the Atletico Madrid vs Leverkusen player ratings.

Atletico Madrid Player Ratings vs Leverkusen

Goalkeeper

Jan Oblak – 6.5/10

Oblak made three saves in a decent outing for Atletico Madrid.

Defenders

Giuliano Simeone – 6.5/10

He had a decent game as he won six duels and made one interception as well.

Nahuel Molina – 6.5/10

Molina played well in defence, winning seven duels and making two interceptions.

Jose Maria Gimenez – 6.5/10

Gimenez won two duels, making three clearances, one block and one interception.

Clement Lenglet – 6.5/10

Lenglet had a decent game in defence as he won both his duels, making three clearances and one block.

Javi Galan – 6.5/10

He had a decent game at the back as he won three duels, making two interceptions and one clearance.

Midfielders

Marcos Llorente – 6.5/10

Llorente passed the ball with 87% accuracy and won two duels in a decent midfield performance.

Rodrigo de Paul – 7/10

De Paul passed the ball with 88% accuracy and won five duels, making one clearance and one interception as well.

Pablo Barrios – 4.5/10

He made a decent start to the game but ruined it with a rash tackle high on the opponent’s calf.

Antoine Griezmann – 7/10

He passed the ball with 82% accuracy, won three duels and also made one interception.

Forwards

Julian Alvarez – 9/10

Alvarez had a great second half as he scored the leveler and the winner. He also played two key passes and won six duels in a match-winning performance.

Substitutes

Reinildo Mandava – 6.5/10

He replaced Galan at the interval and put in a decent performance.

Samuel Lino, Angel Correa & Robin Le Normand – N/A

The trio played less than 10 minutes apiece and hence does not warrant a rating.

Manager

Diego Simeone – 8/10

He set his team up well and secured an important victory.

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Leverkusen Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid

Goalkeeper

Matej Kovar – 6/10

He failed to make a single save in a disappointing performance for Leverkusen in goal.

Defenders

Nordi Mukiele – 7.5/10

Mukiele had a great first half as he provided an assist, won all three of his duels and made one clearance.

Edmond Tapsoba – 7/10

Tapsoba won all four of his duels and passed the ball with 94% accuracy.

Jonathan Tah – 7/10

The skipper had a good game as he won three duels, making four clearances and one interception.

Piero Hincapie – 7.5/10

Hincapie had a mixed game as he scored one goal, and won five duels, but was also sent off for two yellow cards.

Midfielders

Granit Xhaka – 6.5/10

Xhaka passed the ball with 95% accuracy, including one key pass.

Exequiel Palacios – 7.5/10

Palacios had a good game as he played two key passes, won two duels, making two interceptions and one clearance as well.

Florian Wirtz – 7.5/10

Wirtz had a good game as he won three duels, attempted one shot on target and completed two dribbles.

Forwards

Jeremie Frimpong – 6.5/10

Frimpong had an uneventful game for Leverkusen on the right flank and was subbed off in the second half.

Alejandro Grimaldo – 8/10

Grimaldo had a great game as he played four key passes and four accurate crosses as well. He also completed three dribbles and won eight duels.

Nathan Tella – 6.5/10

Tella started as the striker but could not make an impact, except for a goal he scored that was ruled out for offside.

Substitutes

Patrik Schick – 6.5/10

He replaced Mukiele in an attacking change but could not make the desired impact.

Jonas Hofmann – 6.5/10

He replaced Tella but could not make an impact.

Arthur & Aleix Garcia – N/A

The pair played less than 10 minutes apiece and hence do not warrant a rating.

Manager

Xabi Alonso – 6.5/10

He set his team up fairly well but was unlucky to lose this match.

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