Football

Barcelona Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid: Yamal & Torres Star in Thrilling 4-2 La Liga Victory

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By
Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

Sushan Chakraborty has been writing professionally since debuting with 90min in 2017. He has since typed out thousands of articles, learning the trade from some of the smartest minds in the business. Now at Sportscasting, he is striving to whip up his best articles yet.

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Published17 Mar 2025

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La Liga leaders Barcelona recorded a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory against league rivals Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday night, 16 March.

The victory saw Barcelona move to the top of the Spanish top-flight rankings with 60 points. Real Madrid, who beat Villarreal 2-1 on Saturday (March 15) are level on points at second but have played one game more. With 56 points to their name, Atletico now sit in third place in the rankings.

Atletico Madrid 2-4 Barcelona: Match Summary

Fresh off a heartbreaking defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Atletico Madrid hosted domestic rivals Barcelona in search of salvation. Hansi Flick’s Barca carved out the first opportunity inside the first five minutes, courtesy of a brilliant piece of play by Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old played a little one-two with Dani Olmo before firing at goal. His curling effort kissed the outside of the left pose before going behind for a goal kick. In the 44th minute, Robert Lewandowski got a fine opportunity to test the goalkeeper from the left side of the box, but his effort did not land on target.

In the following minute, Atletico Madrid landed the first blow, with Julian Alvarez applying an excellent first-time finish to Giuliano Simeone’s cutback. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 70th minute, as Alexander Sorloth turned in Conor Gallagher’s delivery.

Two minutes after Atletico’s goal, Lewandowski brought Barca back into the contest, controlling Inigo Martinez’s early cross with his chest and steering it home with his left foot. Six minutes later, substitute Ferran Torres levelled the score, applying a thumping header to Raphinha’s inch-perfect cross. Two minutes into added, time, Yamal went for goal with an outside-the-box effort. His shot took a fortunate deflection and nestled into the side-netting, putting Barca 3-2 up.

Four minutes later, Torres put the game to bed, dribbling past challenges and beating Oblak with a powerful effort from the edge of the box. A masterful display from Flick’s men.

With the summary out of the way, let’s check out Barcelona’s player ratings vs Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid (4-2)

Wojciech Szczesny (6/10):

The Polish goalkeeper could not do much for either of Atletico Madrid’s goals. He made eight recoveries and completed 16 es with 76% accuracy.

Jules Kounde (7/10):

The Barcelona right-back was out of position for Atletico Madrid’s opener. He, however, improved as the match wore on. Created two chances, completed 70 es with 97% accuracy, and won three tackles.

Pau Cubarsi (6.5/10):

It was not the best game of the Barcelona centre-back’s career. Struggled with his positioning for most of the night.

Inigo Martinez (8/10):

The 33-year-old centre-back not only held the fort at the back but was also the architect behind Robert Lewandowski’s opener. Martinez completed nine recoveries, pulled off two dribbles, and won 11 of 12 duels.

Alex Balde (7/10):

Alex Balde is slowly emerging as one of Barcelona’s key men going forward. He was full of energy, attempted three dribbles, and played a couple of es into the final third. He also recorded seven recoveries and won four duels.

Marc Casado (5.5/10):

It was a disappointing night for the effervescent Marc Casado. Could not physically compete with Atletico Madrid’s midfield, losing seven of 10 duels.

Pedri (8/10):

Barcelona’s midfield general Pedri put in another superb shift. He created three chances, assisted Lamine Yamal for the winner, played 13 es into the final third, and delivered four accurate long balls.

Lamine Yamal (9/10):

Just 17 years of age, Lamine Yamal is already one of the best players in the world. The Spaniard showed his quality once more on Sunday, hitting the post once, scoring a beautiful goal, and dancing his way past Atletico defenders, completing six dribbles. He also won 11 duels and made five recoveries.

Dani Olmo (6.5/10):

Dani Olmo had a decent game against Atletico Madrid. He completed 32 es with 91% accuracy, won two duels, and played a fine one-two with Lamine Yamal that opened up the Atletico defence for the first time on the night.

Raphinha (7/10):

Barcelona captain Raphinha has been absolutely flying at the moment. On Sunday night, he added another assist to his tally, brilliantly setting up Ferran Torres for Barca’s equalizer. He also delivered three crosses, won five ground duels, and made two clearances.

Robert Lewandowski (7.5/10):

Robert Lewandowski may not be at his sharpest, but he once again showed why Barcelona coach Hansi Flick keeps picking him. His exquisite control and finish for Barcelona’s opener was a thing of beauty.

Substitutes

Ferran Torres (9/10):

Coming on in the 67th minute, Ferran Torres turned the game on its head. In addition to scoring from a powerful header and a precise outside-the-box strike, Torres completed 10 es with 91% accuracy and cleared the ball once.

Eric Garcia (6.5/10):

Did well in midfield after coming on for Marc Casado in the 67th minute. He made two clearances and won two ground duels.

Gerard Martin (86′), Ronald Araujo (86′), and Gavi (90′):

Did not get enough minutes to make a tangible impact.