Manchester City squeeze through as Atletico lose their cool. Atletico Madrid vs Manchester City: Player ratings

Manchester City came through a tough encounter at the Wanda Metropolitano to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals as the 0-0 draw proved enough to see them by one goal difference on aggregate.

In a first half that was devoid of any significant action, the visitors came close to taking the lead as a straight-line attempt rebounded to Jan Oblak’s goal and they returned to play.

The hosts improved in the second half, but failed to test the goalkeeper despite having plenty of ball possession and pressing Pep Guardiola’s side up the pitch in stark contrast to the first 45. Shots continued to advance, mostly off the mark, as Diego Simeone’s side lifted The rhythm and kept City ahead in the 45th minute.

Nerves ignited in the final minutes, with a brawl involving first-team players and the bench which left Felipe in red and perhaps Stefan Savic was unlucky, as the Spanish team missed any chance of late parity and overtime.

While questions will be asked about the opponent, the referee has been contained to allow for challenges throughout the match, and could leave Manchester City with plenty of injuries on the way to the FA Cup semi-finals.

Pep Guardiola’s team will now face Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the competition.

player ratings

Manchester

Ederson – 6

He barely had a save, and his passing was a shaky standard in the first half. He couldn’t keep the ball in the second because he had to constantly have for so long.

Kyle Walker – 6

He roamed large parts of the match with ease, but he would be alarmed by a agonizing ankle injury that forced him out in the second and semi-finals of the weekend.

Aymeric Laporte – 5

He looked uncharacteristically shivering and sloppy on the ball. He was fortunate that he was not punished in the end.

John Stones – 7

She headed tight early on in the piece, but made up for it with a fine mass after five minutes of time while the blues clung on.

Joao Cancelo – 5

He was far from his best either on the left or the right

Rodri – 6

Boos at every turn due to his links with Atletico, Rodri walked through the first half but found it more difficult in the second as Atletico started to put pressure

Ilkay Gundogan – 6

The best choice in Manchester City’s midfield, but he struggled like his teammates in a frantic second half.

Kevin De Bruyne – 4

He barely managed to get the ball and create the center of Atletico’s packed midfield, coming off just an hour after injury after an unimpressive performance.

Phil Foden – 5

He was bullied from pole to pole by Atlético de Madrid, and the addition of a Terry Butcher-esque headband seemed to be added encouragement. He still makes the most in the Manchester City shirt.

Riyad Mahrez 6

He appeared to be a threat but could not translate his promising performances into any noticeable final product.

Bernardo Silva – 4

Spreading out on the left side of the front three, the Portuguese maestro looked off his pace, and struggled to get involved in the proceedings.

Subs:

Raheem Sterling – 5

I hardly got a touch in the game.

Nathan Ake – 8

He came for the stricken Kyle Walker, and let nothing pass him by in an impressive display.

Fernandinho – 7

Spread with Manchester City on the ropes, his experience helped fend off the wave of pressure on Manchester City’s goal.

Atletico Madrid

Jan Oblak – 7

One late save in the tie kept hopes alive, but he was a spectator for much of the second half as his side dominated.

Renan Lodi – 6

His heart was exhausted, but he couldn’t make a difference before he withdrew.

Rinildo – 5

Solid but not surprising, another player in a long line of Simeone defensive players.

Philip – 4

Happy to put his body on the line for the cause and demonstrated leadership skills in Jimenez’s continued absence. A rational decision two minutes before the end of time got him sent off, in a fitting result of Atlético Madrid’s performance.

Stefan Savic – 6

Lucky he wasn’t booked for the first half farming challenge on Foden. Make some key blocks.

Marcos Llorente – 7

One of the top performers on the field, and he’ll feel it’s hard to be on the losing side.

Jeffrey Kondjubia – 7

Impressive calm again for Diego Simeone, and he kept the middle of the most family name very quiet.

Thomas Lemar – 6

Tidy but no more. A far cry from the 72 million players Atletico thought they bought in 2018.

Coca-Cola – 5

He struggled to impose himself on the match and missed a good opportunity to play as a striker in the second half. You can have no complaints about lying down before 20 minutes.

Antoine Griezmann – 6

A strong runner but sent a good chance in the second half and suffered from a limited serve.

Joao Felix – 5

Only half the chances were given, but he came close to none of them. He was orderly with his engagement game, but it was no surprise to see him take off even as they chased after a target.

Subs:

Angel Korea – 4

He could not enter the game when he came at all. A glorious belated opportunity missed.

Yannick Carrasco – 5

She took Renan Lodi’s mantle and gave Cancelo a hot, dying evening, but couldn’t find the final product.

Rodrigo de Paul – 4

His first act was to shoot a cross hard, and he did nothing else for the remainder of the match.

Luis Suarez – N / A

He wasn’t on the field long enough to make an impact.

Matthews Cunha – 4

Didn’t do anything of note.

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