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Atletico Madrid logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 30, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Benfica

1-2

Correa (23')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Gaitan (36'), Cuedes (51')

Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Benfica

Sports Mole reviews how the players fared at the Vicente Calderon during Atletico Madrid's shock 2-1 Champions League defeat by Benfica.

Atletico Madrid suffered their first Champions League defeat at the Vicente Calderon for 19 months by losing 2-1 to Benfica tonight.

Debutant Angel Correa opened the scoring on 23 minutes, but 13 minutes later, against the run of play, Nicolas Gaitan levelled up with a sweetly-struck half-volley.

Atletico were the better team after the break but, again, a swift counter-attack saw Gaitan set up Goncalo Guedes, and he made no mistake.

Here, Sports Mole sorts the heroes from the villains on a disappointing night for the hosts.

Benfica's Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Gaitan celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs SL Benfica at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on September 30, 2015© Getty Images



ATLETICO MADRID

Goal

Jan Oblak: Perhaps could have done better for the second goal, not the first, but then again his defenders did him no favours whatsoever. (5/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Looked bright in the first half, swinging in a host of good crosses - including for Atletico's opener - but was found wanting defensively. (5/10)

Diego Godin: Produced an okay performance but could perhaps be questioned over failing to get enough power on the header which led to the visitors' opening goal through Gaitan. (5/10)

Jose Giminez: Did little wrong and he continues to look a superb defender for Atletico. (7/10)

Filipe Luis: Cleared Cuedes's effort off the line in the first half and generally did a decent job. Preferred to Jesus Gamez at left-back, and the Brazilian justified his inclusion. (6/10)

Midfield

Tiago: Hugely unlucky not to win a first-half penalty when his side-footed effort from a corner was handled by Almeida. Overall, he was much better in the first half than he was in the second half. (5/10)

Oliver: Looked like one of Atletico's better players and perhaps a touch unlucky to have been subbed. Atletico were much less dangerous when he came off. (7/10)

Gabi: Looked much more threatening in his first half as he put relentless pressure on Benfica's defence with a host of superb lofted balls, but faded somewhat in the second half. (6/10)

Angel Correa: Marked his Champions League debut in style by netting the opener, but could and should have equalised in the second half when his point-blank drive was kept out by Cesar. (6/10)

Attack

Antoine Griezmann: Has previously been accused of hiding on the big stage, against the big teams, and this performance will do little to help his cause, but did produce a fine assist. (5/10)

Jackson Martinez: Endured a nightmare; specifically in the first half when he missed a host of gilt-edged chances. Simeone kept him on to protect his confidence but Torres was the better option. (4/10)

Substitutes

Saul Níguez: Very tidy in possession, but often elected for the safe pass when the killer one was on the table. (5/10)

Luciano Vietto: Had 20 minutes in which to make an impact after replacing Griezmann, but never looked like being the hero that Atletico needed. (4/10)

Fernando Torres: Looked a lot sharper than Martinez as he injected a sense of urgency into Atleti's attack, but was powerless to influence the result. (6/10)



BENFICA

Goal

Julio Cesar: Could have perhaps done better for Correra's opener, but more than made up for it with an outstanding double save in the second half. (7/10)

Defence

Luisao: Looked uncharacteristically shaky during a first half in which he struggled with the movement of Martinez, but was much better in the second period. (6/10)

Eliseu: Tried to be a major outlet for the visitors from left-back, but his promising runs often went unnoticed by his attack-minded teammates. (5/10)

Jardel: Pulled off two huge interventions to keep out Atletico early on. Deserved to be on the winning side in truth. (7/10)

Nelson Semedo: Got forward excellently when Benfica attacked, and delivered the teasing cross which led to Gaitan's equaliser. (6/10)

Midfield

Andreas Samaris: Kept possession brilliantly at times and drew a number of fouls at crucial times which helped Benfica run the clock down. (7/10)

Goncalo Guedes: Struck a neat and ultimately decisive second goal after being set up by Gaitan, but found himself on the fringes of the clash for large spells. (6/10)

Andre Almeida: Pressed Atletico's danger men brilliantly after the break. One of the big reasons as to why the hosts struggled to create chances in the second period. (7/10)

Nicolas Gaitan: Diego Simeone flagged him as Benfica's danger men, but Atletico still struggled to combat him as he picked up a goal and an assist to inspire the victory. (8/10)

Attack

Jonas: Spent much of the game on the periphery, with an excellent weaving run in the first half about as close he came to scoring. (5/10)

Raul Jimenez: More or less starved of service - especially in the second half - as he failed to find the net, or even register a meaningful shot, on his return to the Vicente Calderon. (5/10)

Substitutes

Ljubomir Fejsa: Gave the visitors fresh legs in midfield at a crucial time when he replaced Samaris. (6/10)

Kostas Mitroglu: Replaced the quiet Jimenez and, despite not having much more of an impact than his Mexican counterpart, worked exceptionally hard defensively to preserve the lead. (6/10)

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Benfica's Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Gaitan celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs SL Benfica at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on September 30, 2015
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Match Analysis: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Benfica
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