PLAYER RATINGS | Atlético Madrid 1-3 Lille: Bruno Génésio’s substitutes stun Metropolitano Stadium

UEFA Champions League, Round 3, 23/10/24

After defeating Real Madrid in the previous round of Champions League fixtures, Lille OSC would be travelling to the Spanish capital to take on Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium. An early mistake from Lille would put the pressure on Bruno Génésio, but a manager who has slowly earned a reputation as a giant killer would claim another scalp in Diego Simeone.

The Match 

Rémy Cabella pounced on a mistake from José María Giménez within the first minute to threaten the hosts. However, his shot was wayward and left the capital club unpunished. Atlético responded almost immediately with their own wayward shot as forward Alexander Sørloth blasted his strike wide. The early exchange promised an end-to-end game, but the flow was more one-sided. 

Lille generally tried to restrict space for the red and white shirts, ceding control of the ball and using their more limited time in possession to hit quick transitions. The best chance of the first half for Lille came from a corner when Cabella found Alexsandro in space. The centre-back’s header was more powerful than precise and a big opportunity was left wanting. 

The absence of Bafode Diakité from the starting lineup was felt in the 8th minute when Ousmane Touré mishit a pass back to Lucas Chevalier. Julián Alvarez leapt on the opportunity to curl his shot past the goalkeeper. It was a terrible moment for the centre-back who was making his first-ever start for the Lille first team and only his second appearance in total. 

Sørloth had a flurry of chances throughout the half to double the advantage for the hosts. The striker broke past the defensive line and went one-on-one with Chevalier but his shot was weak and the goalkeeper made the save look simple. Later in the half, a pinpoint cross from Antoine Griezmann found Sørloth, but the forward shot over the bar. 

Lille were given a chance to threaten Jan Oblak’s goal on the stroke of halftime when Chevalier’s long ball reached Mohamed Bayo in the box. The striker brought the ball down and laid it off to the substitute Edon Zhegrova (who was on after Cabella was injured in the 16th minute adding to the already packed Lille medical bay) but he snatched at the opportunity leaving Oblak untested in the half.

Lille looked a far better team in the early stages of the second half as Atlético stepped back and somewhat rested on their laurels. The visitors were more effective at restricting the hosts and preventing them from carving out too many chances. The game felt more in the balance and Les Dogues soon took advantage. 

Zhegrova levelled the game with a speculative shot from outside the box in the 61st minute. The Kosovan winger’s effort was guided by a deflection from Giménez that spun the ball out of the reach of Oblak. Ten minutes later, the balance completely shifted when Koke was penalised for a foul on Benjamin André in the box. The substitute Jonathan David stepped up to the spot and after breaking Real Madrid’s hearts punished Atlético. 

It was classic fire and fury from Atlético. The stadium felt like a cauldron. Every decision against the hosts was whistled furiously. Every red and white shirt played on the edge. It was up to Lille to weather the storm for the remaining twenty minutes. A flurry of chances came Atlético’s way as they searched for the equaliser but they were met by a resilient Lille defence. 

There would be one last surprise in store as Osame Sahraoui dribbled into the box and shot. Atlético would block this effort but it would fall to Thomas Meunier. The wing-back would try his luck but his shot was poor and swung wide to David. The substitute’s effort took a deflection which would see the ball bounce up and out of the reach of Oblak who was unable to save the host’s night. 

Lille Player Ratings

Lucas Chevalier – 8

A mark of the best players is that they don’t make simple mistakes. Chevalier does the basics exceptionally well and it is coming 

Alexsandro – 6

Aïssa Mandi – 6

Ousmane Touré – 3

The teenager on his first start for the club had a poor game and unsurprisingly didn’t look ready to be thrown into the deep end of European football. He was at fault for the opening goal, and he looked nervous making several mistakes when challenging for the ball. He was replaced at halftime by Bafodé Diakité 

Gabriel Gudmundsson – 5

Benjamin André – 7

Ngal’ayal Mukau – 6

Thomas Meunier – 6

Rémy Cabella – N/A 

Replaced by Edon Zhegrova (7)

Mohamed Bayo – 6

Matias Fernandez-Pardo – 6

Selected Atlético de Madrid Player Ratings

Conor Gallagher – 4

Antoine Griezmann – 5

Alexander Sørloth – 3

Replaced in the second half. The forward had a terrible night. His movement and positioning were excellent but his finishing cost his side the night. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland