Atletico Madrid 0-0 Man City (Agg 0-1): Player ratings as Cityzens seal semi-final berth

Foden and Llorente compete for the ball
Foden and Llorente compete for the ball / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
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Man City sealed their place in the last four of the Champions League after a nervy goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano was enough to secure a 1-0 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid.

The away side almost got off to the dream start when John Stones met a Kevin De Bruyne corner at the front post, but the England international could only glance his header over the crossbar.

City were in the ascendancy, with Reinildo forced into a last-ditch block from a De Bruyne volley at the edge of the penalty area after Phil Foden's shot had looped invitingly into the Belgian's pass.

Pep Guardiola's side ought to have broke the deadlock in the 29th minute after a lovely, sweeping move. Kyle Walker was fed inside the area by Riyad Mahrez and when his pull-back fell to Foden at the far post, the England international teed up Ilkay Gundogan. However, the German could only steer his left-footed effort off the inside of the post.

Atletico then fashioned their first real opportunity of the evening immediately after the restart. Antoine Griezmann was sent in behind the City defence by a gorgeous first time pass from Koke and the Frenchman advanced towards goal, but Aymeric Laporte matched him stride-for-stride before diverting the ball out for a corner.

The home side's tails were up, with Joao Felix meeting a delivery from Marcos Llorente but only diverting his header over the crossbar.

Griezmann flashed wide on the half-volley after he was laid off by Felix just before the hour mark, with Simeone making a triple substitution as he threw the kitchen sink at Guardiola's side.

Rodrigo De Paul then almost made an instant impact off the bench. The impressive Felix moved the ball wide to Llorente on the right and when he moved the ball back inside, De Paul curled his effort just wide of the near post.

City hearts were in mouths with four minutes remaining when Angel Correa was released in behind. The substitute guided it into the path of Matheus Cunha and only a heroic block from Stones was denied the hosts a late equaliser.

Felipe was then dismissed in stoppage time after receiving his second yellow card as the home side lost their cool with the tie slipping away.

In the meantime, here's how both teams rated.


Atletico Madrid player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Renan Lodi
Renan Lodi barks instructions / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Jan Oblak (GK) - 6/10 - Had very little to contend with. Dominated his penalty area when required.

Stefan Savic (CB) - 7/10 - Got under Foden's skin early in the first half, with the City man looking reluctant to engage in a one-on-one battle with the defender.

Felipe (CB) - 2/10 - Booked inside the opening 25 minutes for a series of cynical fouls. Rightfully shown a red card in stoppage time as he completely lost his composure.

Reinildo (CB) - 7/10 - Excelled when asked to defend in last-ditch situations, making a crucial block from De Bruyne in the first half.

2. Wing-backs & midfielders

Koke, Joao Cancelo
Koke and Cancelo compete for the ball / Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/GettyImages

Marcos Llorente (RWB) - 7/10 - The idea from Simeone was to spring the Spaniard forward in transition, but City marshalled the flank terrifically well.

Koke (CM) - 7/10 - Gorgeous first time through ball to release Griezmann after the interval. Influence grew in the second half as he dropped deeper to receive the ball.

Geoffrey Kondogbia (CM) - 7/10 - Displayed the very best of his qualities, helping evade the City press and spread play for Simeone's side.

Thomas Lemar (CM) - 4/10 - Atleti looked at their most dangerous when they could play through the Frenchman. Proved very effective in tight areas.

Renan Lodi (LWB) - 5/10 - Constantly the spare man at the back post for Atleti when breaking forward, while he kept Mahrez fairly quiet.

3. Forwards

Joao Felix, John Stones
Joao Felix holds the ball up / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Joao Felix (ST) - 6/10 - Showed promising link-up play with Griezmann in the second half, showing his quick feet in a few attacking situations.

Antoine Griezmann (ST) - 2/10 - His opportunities to do damage with the ball were few and far between, but he helped stifle City's build-up down the left hand side with his intelligent pressing.

4. Substitutes

Rodrigo De Paul (CM) - 6/10 - Had two separate sightings at goal late in the second half.

Angel Correa (ST) - 6/10 - Added energy in the forward line for Atleti.

Yannick Carrasco (LWB) - N/A

Luis Suarez (ST) - N/A

Matheus Cunha (CM) - N/A


Man City player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Aymeric Laporte
Laporte on the ball / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

Ederson (GK) - 8/10 - Really adept at leaving his line to stifle Atleti's direct passes over the top. Two huge saves to deny Simeone's side in stoppage time.

Kyle Walker (RB) - 7/10 - Picked his moments to gallop forward, ensuring he remained compact as to avoid Atletico exploiting space in transition.

John Stones (CB) - 10/10 - Barely gave the ball away on the evening, never looking to force a pass given the aggregate scoreline. Heroic block to deny Atleti a leveller with four minutes remaining.

Aymeric Laporte (CB) - 8/10 - Really alert to the danger on the ocassions where Atletico breached City's defensive line, matching Griezmann stride-for-stride when the Frenchman was sent through in the second half.

Joao Cancelo (LB) - 6/10 - Looked far more menacing when Foden was shifted out to the left midway through the first half. Defended his back post very well under pressure after the interval.

6. Midfielders

Ilkay Gundogan
Gundogan on the ball / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Rodri (CM) - 6/10 - A performance which has become the standard for the Spain international, constantly providing passing angles and retaining the ball under pressure.

Ilkay Gundogan (CM) - 4/10 - Ought to have scored with his chance in the first half. Spaces became enclosed in the second half and he struggled to influence proceedings.

Kevin De Bruyne (CM) - 3/10 - Atleti stifled his threat exceptionally well, reducing the Belgian to one of his quietest performances of the campaign. Hooked just past the hour mark.

7. Forwards

Joao Felix, Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez on the ball / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

Riyad Mahrez (RW) - 5/10 - Looked very dangerous when he could combine with the marauding Walker on the right.

Phil Foden (ST) - 3/10 - Struggled as a lone forward against the physically imposing central defence of Atleti. Improved marginally on the left hand side.

Bernardo Silva (LW) - 5/10 - Didn't look comfortable on the left hand side, often losing his one-on-one attacking duels. Moved infield and instantly became more of a creative threat.

8. Substitutes

Raheem Sterling (ST) - 5/10 - Added to introduce pace, but struggled to get involved in the game.

Nathan Ake (LB) - N/A

Fernandinho (CM) - N/A