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La Liga
May 17, 2015 at 6pm UK
 
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Messi (65')

Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 0-1 Barcelona

:Headline: Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 0-1 Barcelona: ID:223472: from db_amp
Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed as Barcelona won the La Liga title with a 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona secured the 2014-15 La Liga title with a 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening.

The Catalan outfit, who have won the league with a game to spare, took the lead in the 65th minute through Lionel Messi and the Argentine's goal proved decisive at the Vicente Calderon.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed in Madrid.


ATLETICO

Goal

Jan Oblak: Has been La Liga's standout goalkeeper in 2015 and put in another super performance here. Made a number of excellent saves and could do nothing with Messi's low finish. (7/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Usually such a threat in the final third, but the Spaniard found it difficult to make his mark in Madrid. Not too much wrong, but has had better games for Atletico this season. (6/10)

Diego Godin: Remains pivotal to Atletico and showed his commitment to the cause with another strong performance. Clashed with Neymar late on as the centre-back's frustration grew. (7/10)

Jose Gimenez: Was preferred to Miranda at the heart of the defence and again put in a strong performance. At just 20 years of age, the Uruguay international has a wonderful future. (7/10)

Guilherme Siqueira: Came close to levelling the scores late on with a long-range effort, but could not beat the Barcelona goalkeeper. Solid enough without making too much of an impression. (6/10)

Midfield

Koke: Has been linked with a move away from Atletico in recent weeks and the speculation might have turned his head. Some decent free kicks, but not too much else truth be told. (6/10)

Mario Suarez: Replaced the injured Tiago in the middle of the park, but struggled to make an impression. Was replaced by Raul Garcia with little over 20 minutes remaining. (6/10)

Gabi: Just isn't the same player as he was last season. Showed good ability in possession of the ball, but found it difficult to really make his mark in the middle of the field. (6/10)

Attack

Arda Turan: No doubting the Turk's quality, but he needed to do a lot more at the Calderon. Was not quick enough moving the ball and eventually departed in the 72nd minute. (6/10)

Fernando Torres: Preferred to Mario Mandzukic through the middle and was lively without really causing harm to the Barcelona defence. Will again spend next season on loan at Atletico. (6/10)

Antoine Griezmann: Has had a wonderful first season for Atletico, but struggled to make his mark here. Had a couple of attempts, but well short of his recent performances. (6/10)

Substitutes

Raul Garcia: Was a regular starter last season, but has, somewhat surprisingly, been consigned to the bench in recent weeks. Struggled to make his mark in the final 20 minutes. (6/10)

Mario Mandzukic: Has a decent scoring record for Atletico this season, but has gone off the boil in the second half of the campaign. Hardly threatened during his 20 minutes on the field. (6/10)

Saul Niguez: Will be a big player for Atletico in the years to come and has had a strong first season in the first team. Only given the final 10 minutes in Madrid. (6/10)


BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Did not have an awful lot to do, but made saves when called upon. Will be interesting to see whether he remains first choice in the league next season. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Now looks certain to remain at the Camp Nou beyond the summer and the Brazilian's performances have been strong in recent weeks. Another solid game here. (7/10)

Gerard Pique: Had a poor spell earlier in the season, but has been excellent in 2015. Always looked in control of everything that arrived inside the Barcelona box. (7/10)

Javier Mascherano: Complements Pique with his ability to sweep up and that was in full view in Madrid. Took up intelligent positions to deal with a number of dangers. (7/10)

Jordi Alba: Always a threat when he broke forward and delivered a couple of excellent crosses. On form, surely the best left-back in European football. (7/10)

Midfield

Andres Iniesta: Another that has faced criticism this season, but had another classy game here. Was applauded off the field when he was replaced late on. (7/10)

Sergio Busquets: Does not always get the recognition he deserves, but performed such a key role for Barcelona once again. Everything started when Busquets picked up the ball. (8/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Known for his attacking qualities at Sevilla, but the Croatian was prepared to put in some defensive work here and that was certainly appreciated by his teammates. (7/10)

Attack

Pedro: An injury to Luis Suarez opened the door for Pedro and it was the Spaniard that assisted Messi in the second period. Always dangerous in the final third of the field. (7/10)

Lionel Messi: Once again the best player on the field. Hit the crossbar with a super free kick in the second period, but proved the match-winner when he netted 25 minutes from time. (8/10)

Neymar: Should have scored in the second period when he was set up by Messi, but fired high and wide. So confident in possession of the ball and caused the Atletico defence nightmares. (7/10)

Substitutes

Jeremy Mathieu: Has only just returned from an Achilles problem, but played the final 10 minutes in Madrid. Slotted into left-back with minimum fuss. (6/10)

Xavi: Replaced Iniesta in the 82nd minute and all four corners of the ground applauded the Spaniard. Remains such a class act in the middle of the park. (6/10)

Rafinha: Has had a lot of football this season and again played his part in the capital. Kept things moving in the final five minutes of action. (6/10)


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