Ratings: Atlético falter late as Brugge snatch late draw in UCL playoff

Atlético Madrid squandered a two-goal lead, drawing 3-3 away to Club Brugge in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie.

Atleti were undeservedly 2-0 up at the break, thanks to an early penalty converted by Julián Alvarez and a goal bundled in on the stroke of half time by Ademola Lookman. Brugge made their way back into the tie through quick-fire goals from Raphael Onyedika and Nicoló Tresoldi at the start of the second 45 minutes, ensuring Atlético’s run without a Champions League clean sheet extended to nine games.

An own goal from Joel Ordóñez on 79 minutes looked to have given Atlético the advantage to take back to Madrid for next Tuesday’s second leg, but Christos Tzolis ensured this match would finish level with his late equaliser.

Here are Into the Calderón’s player ratings for this one.

Player Ratings

Jan Oblak: A barrage of first-half shots came his way, but Oblak was equal to all which seemed to quell the recent (and ridiculous) talk of being replaced by Juan Musso. All of that work was quickly undone when he unconvincingly palmed the ball into Onyedika’s path for Brugge’s opener, letting the naysayers back in. Six goals conceded in two games doesn’t make great reading for the Slovenian, whichever side of the Oblak-Musso debate you sit on. 4

Nahuel Molina: An ambiguous performance from the Argentine. The bias we collectively hold against him can condition the way we interpret his displays, but after recent positive showings, this didn’t quite live up to renewed expectations. Club Brugge made a point of targeting his flank, mainly through the interchanging blitzing of Mamadou Diakhon and the flair of Tzolis. Molina will have better games, and my word he’ll have worse. 5

Marc Pubill: Unfortunately for Marc, it was his missed header which led to Brugge’s first goal and their deserved way back into the tie. Was penalised a few too many times for his heavy-handedness in challenges, and had an air of being overrun at times. Experience to deal with different styles of forwards (and referees) in these continental matches will come with time, and the youngster has plenty of that to get these things right. 4

Dávid Hancko: The Slovakia international imposed himself well at the back against a troublesome Brugge front three, but won’t be happy with the manner in which the three goals were let in tonight. Unable to have an influence on the ball; I can barely remember an instance where he was able to get it out of his feet and play. 5

Matteo Ruggeri: Jonathan Pearce on the world feed commentary was absolutely loving the Italian, constantly referring to his dimensions and exclaiming how they aren’t those of a typical left-back. Not the worst game ever seen by Ruggeri, but was lacking in the challenge at times, and couldn’t ever connect with his good friend Lookman. 5

Giuliano Simeone: In certain moments of nights like these, Giuli can look like a footballer airlifted from the lower divisions onto the big stage. Aware that he had a positive first half, I thought he was crowded out in large swathes of the second, resorting to desperation in order to do something. From my memory, he delivered just one successful pass that led to a big chance. 4

Koke: I thought Koke had a shout of being Atleti’s best player tonight, extending the season-long narrative of the indispensable role he’s playing in the twilight years of his career. If anything, his technical ability has only improved over the years, and we saw flashes of that tonight, especially when his lofted ball onto Sørloth’s head was nearly converted. 7

Marcos Llorente: The list of positions this man plays in continues to grow, being tasked to play as a left-sided deep pivot in the opening portions of proceedings. Tying Ruggeri to the midfield and offering an defensive reinforcement to that part of the pitch was done successfully, until it was clear he would be needed to help out back over on his more familiar right side. His impact on these types of cagey matches must improve from the middle of the park, but playing there more regularly will of course help him achieve this. 6

Ademola Lookman: If it were ever possible to stab the ball home with the knee, that’s exactly what Lookman did for his goal. The Nigerian now has debut goals in both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League — it’s just LALIGA that he’s failed to score in. It wasn’t a match in which he was able to show his qualities; he struggled to get away from his marker and had trouble being released down the left side. Club Brugge were well aware of his threat and neutralised it effectively, which prompted a change of styles on 62 minutes when Baena was introduced in his place. 6

Antoine Griezmann: Progressively improved throughout the first half, finishing it with a flick-on at the near post to assist Lookman from a corner. The Frenchman had positive spells on the ball but was crowded out by the opposition in large parts of the game. He departed after 66 minutes and looked rather dejected on the bench. 6

Julián Álvarez: La araña hit his eighth-minute penalty so hard that it almost took the goalposts out of the ground. It was his fifth Champions League goal of the season and already the 20th in his short UCL career. Other than that and a few tame efforts on goal, it wasn’t Alvarez back to his best, but the more goals the better when it comes to regaining the confidence needed to put in big performances at the back end of this season. 6

Substitutes

Álex Baena: Brought on to offer something different on the left-hand side, but spent the majority of his time towards the center of the pitch to leave the width to Ruggeri.

Alexander Sørloth: The Norwegian was exceptional from the moment he came onto the pitch, and picked Brugge center-back Joel Ordóñez as his target to terrorise. After a header against the bar and a shot that was well-saved by Simon Mignolet, he was there at the back post to sheperd Ordóñez into slotting the ball beyond his own keeper to put Atleti in the lead late on. Could have definitely done better when 1v1 with the defender late on to snatch the win. 7

Robin Le Normand and Johnny Cardoso: Thrown on after Tzolis equalised, had little time to impact the game. n/a