Atlético Madrid player ratings vs. Alavés

Jan Oblak

Forced into a couple saves in the first half but they were only really half chances. Saved the 86th minute penalty from Joselu that might have kept Atlético’s title hopes in tact — 10.

Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Kieran Trippier

Quiet in the first half, subdued from right-back. The Englishman came into it in the second half and delivered a perfect pass to Suárez for the 54th minute opener. Struggled after that assist too, but more active in the second half — 6.

Stefan Savić

Blocked a very decent counterattacking chance for Joselu early on. Tried his luck later in the first half with a shot that nearly dipped under the crossbar. Gave away the penalty for an elbow on Luis Rioja when he had control of the ball. Again, silly for a player of his experience — 5.

Jose Giménez

Rose above Édgar Méndez and could have had a penalty early in the first half after the Alavés winger seemed to handle the ball; the ref wasn’t convinced. A solid performance from the Uruguayan, who made a number of clearances in the penalty area. Involved in the build-up but left most of the heavy passing to Hermoso — 6.

Mario Hermoso

Heavily involved in building play from the back and tucked into defensive midfield when Atlético moved forward. He has become a vital part of Diego Simeone’s team in attack and during the build-up. Another very solid performance from the defender — 7.

Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Koke

Stopped a couple dangerous counters in the opening half and kept things ticking along nicely throughout. Important, as always, in applying pressure in the middle, and took a game-high 120 touches — 6.

Marcos Llorente

Looked more tired than usual and struggled to get into the game in the first 45, which was a result of Atlético Madrid’s left-sided bias. He was involved in the opening goal before Fernando Pacheco then tipped a left-footed try off the crossbar, but this goes down as one of his quieter games this season even if he grew into it as it unfolded — 6.

Thomas Lemar

The Frenchman continues to impress in his attacking midfield role. His agility and improved defensive awareness make him vital for this version of Simeone’s Atlético. Ran himself ragged in the second half and got further forward in an effort to break the deadlock. Taken off after 75 minutes following a very good day at the office — 8.

Yannick Carrasco

Atlético wanted to attack down the left and Carrasco saw plenty of the ball. A number of nice touches and link-up with a host of teammates around him, but the final product wasn’t great. Booked for an elbow in the second half and will miss the Sevilla game after the international break — 6.

Ángel Correa

Some wonderful touches in the first half, but Alavés’ compact defence yielded nothing. Replaced on 75 minutes after a quieter second half, had a decent night though — 6.

Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Luis Suárez

Caught offside several times in the first half and made a number of silly mistakes that ended good attacking chances. Came to life with a shot just wide of the post late in the first half after continual frustration. He scored the opener — another winning goal — with a glancing header before the hour to mark the difference in the game — 7.

Substitutes

Héctor Herrera

Replaced Thomas Lemar after 75 minutes. Found Suárez with a nice through ball, which could have led to a second goal. Dispossessed too easily before Savić conceded the late penalty as we saw the good and the bad from the Mexico international, playing his first minutes since Jan. 31.

Saul Niguez

Brought on to strengthen the middle after 75 minutes, replacing Correa. Picked up a booking very late on.