Atletico Madrid: Full Report Card for Every Position for January
With nine games in a span of 29 days, January was an extremely busy month for defending La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.
Maintaining their charge in the Primera Division, Diego Simeone's men claimed victory in four of their five league games for the month, only dropping points in their 3-1 loss to Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the middle of victories over Levante, Granada, Rayo Vallecano and Eibar.
Atletico's journey through the Copa del Rey, however, fluctuated severely through some high-profile matchups. In a round-of-16 clash with crosstown rivals Real Madrid, Los Colchoneros progressed with a 4-2 aggregate triumph before slumping to a reverse of that scoreline in their quarter-final exit at the hands of Barcelona.
Across the following slides, we grade every Atletico Madrid player across each position for the month of January.
Goalkeepers
1 of 9
Miguel Angel Moya
Grade: B+
Against the bulk of Atletico Madrid's opponents in La Liga, Miguel Angel Moya is becoming very accustomed to doing very little.
For long spells in the victories over Levante, Granada, Rayo Vallecano and Eibar, the Spaniard stood and watched as his outfield team-mates controlled the contests and protected him nicely.
Only in Atleti's 3-1 defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou did Moya find himself busy, with the hosts dominating the shot count 17-5, per WhoScored.com.
But it's hard to lay any fault on the 30-year-old for the Blaugrana's three goals, given that he found himself exposed by an uncharacteristically poor performance from Simeone's back four.
Jan Oblak
Grade: B
Standing in goal for all of Atletico Madrid's four matches in the Copa del Rey, Jan Oblak performed admirably in the face of the potent attacks belonging to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
In the first leg of the round-of-16 tie with Los Blancos, the Slovenian made a brilliant early save to deny Sergio Ramos and completed the game by calmly collecting everything that came his way in a 2-0 win.
He was similarly composed in the narrow 1-0 loss to Barcelona at the Camp Nou and saved Lionel Messi's late penalty, only to watch the Argentinian tap in the rebound.
But Oblak's one poor display came in the second-leg meeting with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, where he made a series of nervy touches and was caught in no man's land when Ramos headed home a first-half equaliser from a free-kick.
Right-Backs
2 of 9
Juanfran
Grade: B-
Carrying on from his excellent form to conclude 2014, Juanfran was a potent force in attack down the right flank in the comfortable 3-1 victory over Levante at the Vicente Calderon that opened 2015 for Atletico Madrid.
But the Spaniard's form dipped thereafter.
In the 3-1 loss to Barcelona in La Liga, the right-back's missed clearance allowed Neymar to poke home the hosts' opener, while a poor pass inside his own half cost Los Colchoneros another goal against Rayo Vallecano.
After a heavy schedule, Juanfran looks like a man in need of a short break.
Jesus Gamez
Grade: C+
A right-back by trade, Jesus Gamez's month of January will be remembered for Simeone's failed attempted to use him as a makeshift left-back in the league defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
Unable to deal with a free-flowing Messi cutting in from the right flank, Gamez's bid to cover the defensive shortcomings of usual left-back Guilherme Siqueira didn't go well.
But the former Malaga full-back did look comfortable when used in his preferred position against Real Madrid and Eibar, completing two sound performances as Simeone rotated his squad.
Left-Backs
3 of 9
Guilherme Siqueira
Grade: B
Siqueira's demotion to the bench as Gamez replaced him as a makeshift left-back against Barcelona wasn't exactly a vote of confidence for the Brazilian from Simeone.
Recognised as an attacking full-back—one who's defensively vulnerable—the manager clearly felt Siqueira was ill equipped to deal with the Blaugrana's fearsome three-man attack.
That aside, however, the former Granada full-back largely enjoyed a strong month, with a string of potent attacking performances down the left flank against Levante, Granada and Rayo Vallecano.
With Cristian Ansaldi still struggling with injury, Siqueira is enjoying a prolonged run in the team.
Cristian Ansaldi
Grade: N/A
It's now been more than two months since we've seen Ansaldi in action, who continues to struggle with injury after a superb start to the season as Simeone's preferred left-back.
Marca reports that the Argentinian is suffering from a "strain to the lateral collateral ligament of his left knee."
Centre-Backs
4 of 9
Diego Godin
Grade: A-
Diego Godin's absence through suspension for the second leg of Atletico Madrid's Copa del Rey quarter-final clash with Barcelona proved to be a massive blow for Simeone's side.
Possibly the finest central defender in Europe, the Uruguayan was forced to sit and watch as Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar cut apart Atleti's back four that lacked the leadership, the communication and the commanding presence of Godin.
The difference the 28-year-old makes to Atletico's defence could be seen in the first legs of both of the cup ties with Real Madrid and Barcelona, when Los Colchoneros conceded just one goal across 180 minutes against two of the most powerful attacking units on the planet.
Against Levante, Godin also continued to demonstrate his threat in front of goal in the air, heading home his fourth goal of the season in a 3-1 win.
Miranda
Grade: B-
After a month-long spell on the sideline with injury, Miranda returned to the Atletico Madrid XI in the 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey at the Bernabeu.
Not long after, the Brazilian was back to his best with a powerful and composed display against Rayo Vallecano, in which his timely interventions played a leading role in protecting Atleti's lead against an expansive visiting outfit in the second half.
That recapture of form, however, was short-lived. In the second leg of Atletico's Copa del Rey quarter-final meeting with Barcelona, the veteran conceded an own goal and often found himself caught in two minds as the visitors' rampant attack charged at the spaces behind the home side's high defensive line.
Jose Gimenez
Grade: B-
Throughout the first half of the season, there was often immense praise for Jose Gimenez after his extremely mature performances when deputising for Miranda.
Just 20 years of age, the Uruguayan has displayed an exemplary understanding of his craft despite his inexperience, and many wondered whether Miranda might be permanently forced out of the XI.
But the 3-1 loss to Barcelona in La Liga will go down as a learning experience for Gimenez, who, for once, played with a rashness that befitted his age as he came unstuck against Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
Pleasingly, he rebounded strongly in the league meetings with Granada and Rayo Vallecano, and he was the better of the pairing that included Miranda in the 3-2 loss to Barcelona that confirmed Atleti's Copa del Rey exit.
Lucas Hernandez
Grade: B
It was a bold move by Simeone to place Lucas Hernandez at left-back for the first leg of the team's Copa del Rey meeting with Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.
Although Los Blancos rested Cristiano Ronaldo, the Frenchman still had to deal with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez.
Impressively, the 18-year-old coped extremely well and nullified the right-sided Rodriguez to play an important role in Atletico finishing with a clean sheet.
Central/Holding Midfielders
5 of 9
Gabi
Grade: B-
So good for so long in Atletico Madrid's stunning 2013-14 campaign, Gabi continues to have a very mixed season in 2014-15.
After a strong and tireless display against Levante to open January, the captain was the man who delivered the pinpoint cross to the head of Gimenez for Atleti's second goal against Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.
But then came an ineffectual performance against Barcelona in La Liga that saw him withdrawn in the second half, going on to be red-carded in the heated affair against the Catalans at home in the Copa del Rey.
And though two rather more characteristic performances were sandwiched in between against Granada and Rayo Vallecano, Gabi still cannot find a way to string together an extended run of high-quality games this season.
Tiago
Grade: B+
Whereas Gabi's season has been stop-start in terms of form, Tiago is enduring a similar campaign thanks to injury. Two games in, one game out—that sort of season.
It happened again in January, when the Portuguese was ruled out of Atletico's clash with Barcelona in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final.
It was a blow to both Tiago and the team, given that he'd found some outstanding form in his holding role in the pair of 3-1 victories over Levante and Rayo Vallecano.
Indeed, not only did Simeone's midfield anchor cover his back four superbly in those wins, but he also launched a number of attacks with his crisp and incisive passing from deep.
Mario Suarez
Grade: B-
Mario Suarez is one of a bunch of Atletico players who represent both the good and the bad of what Simeone brings to this team.
When he's good, he's hardworking and tenacious. When he's bad, he's reckless and undisciplined.
That was evident throughout Suarez's month in January, as he consistently featured for Atleti during the club's Copa del Rey campaign.
In both matches against Real Madrid and in the first leg against Barcelona, the Spaniard was defensively sound in his holding role and worked tirelessly to close down attacks at their source in the midfield.
But when the second leg with Barcelona became heated and turned sour, Suarez completely lost his cool as he flew in for needless and reckless challenges to earn himself two yellow cards and a sending-off.
Saul Niguez
Grade: C+
January was a rather low-key month for Atletico's Saul Niguez.
After being a very late substitute against Levante, the 20-year-old was withdrawn after a peripheral 68 minutes at home to Real Madrid.
When he was used next, it was simply to see out the game against Barcelona after Atleti had been reduced to 10 men following Gabi's red card.
Awarded a start against Eibar, the young Spaniard was one of those who appeared to relish the throwback conditions.
Attacking Midfielders
6 of 9
Arda Turan
Grade: A-
For much of what was said for Suarez, ditto for Arda Turan. The Turk embodies his manager's fire perhaps more than anyone.
That was there for all to see as Turan threw his boot toward the linesman when frustrated by a call during Atletico Madrid's 3-2 loss to Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon in the Copa del Rey.
Prior to that, however, the fine technician had been the creative hub of Simeone's team for much of January—just as he's been for most of the season.
Indeed, Turan completed strong displays against Granada and Rayo Vallecano, the first of which saw him make an extremely neat turn before chipping a precise cross for Raul Garcia to nod home.
Koke
Grade: B-
Since a truly blistering opening to the 2014-15 campaign, the season has slowed down quite a lot for Koke, whose attacking role appears to have lessened somewhat amid the emergence of the versatile Antoine Griezmann.
Indeed, the Spaniard started the season with a staggering 13 assists in his opening 18 games, but he hasn't been the architect of an Atleti goal since late November.
That subdued form continued in January, as Koke tended to play supporting roles in Simeone's midfield as Griezmann and Turan ran the Atletico attack.
Raul Garcia
Grade: B+
Like Turan, Garcia is a player whose game replicates the tenacity and fire of Simeone's approach to management.
In January, the adaptable Spaniard appeared in all nine of Atletico's matches (five were substitute appearances) and played a key role in the team's progression past Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey with his decisive and robust performance in the first leg at the Vicente Calderon.
Garcia also scored against Granada and Barcelona, while his neat ball to Griezmann set up Atletico's opening goal in the 3-1 victory over Eibar.
Cani
Grade: N/A
Since coming across on loan from Villarreal, Cani has played just 39 minutes for Atletico and therefore cannot be graded.
Wingers
7 of 9
Antoine Griezmann
Grade: A
Since overcoming a difficult beginning to his time at Atletico Madrid, Griezmann has blossomed into the sparkling forward the club hoped he'd be when they spent €30 million to prise him from Real Sociedad last summer.
Thriving in a roaming role that sees him drift in and out of the midfield from his starting position as a secondary striker, the Frenchman tallied five goals and three assists in January to be the outstanding player of the month in Simeone's side.
Against Levante to begin the new year, it was his brace that proved decisive just one game after his stunning hat-trick against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames.
Griezmann followed up that performance by making both of the assists on Fernando Torres' goals against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, before excelling in the league meetings with Rayo Vallecano (another brace) and Eibar (one goal, one assist).
Strikers
8 of 9
Mario Mandzukic
Grade: B+
Amid Torres' fast start since returning to the Vicente Calderon, there was a growing feeling that Mario Mandzukic was under pressure to maintain his position as Simeone's undisputed first-choice striker.
But the Croatian squashed that perception quickly with a commanding, two-goal performance in difficult conditions against Eibar to conclude January.
The match took Mandzukic's tally to four goals for the month—18 in total for the season—after scoring against Granada and Barcelona, reinforcing his status as a potent penalty-area weapon whose game is perfectly suited to the way Simeone has crafted this team to play since the departure of Diego Costa.
Fernando Torres
Grade: B+
It really couldn't have been any better, could it? Torres couldn't have dreamed of a better return to his boyhood club, could he?
Just a month into his second stint at Atletico Madrid, the club's prodigal son already has three goals against the mightiest opponents of them all, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
What was so impressive about Torres' goals in January was the quality of the finishes. His first was a perfectly executed strike with his left boot into the top corner. The next saw him skip neatly around Pepe before beating Los Blancos goalkeeper Keylor Navas. The third saw the Spaniard dance around Barcelona's Javier Mascherano before smashing the ball off of the inside of the left post and into the back of the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Simeone will be delighted with his decision to bring Torres home.
Raul Jimenez
Grade: N/A
Though he made five appearances in January, Raul Jimenez played just 43 minutes for the month, with all five being extremely late substitute appearances.
Such a paucity of playing time means we're unable to give him a grade.
Manager
9 of 9
Diego Simeone
Grade: B+
Since arriving at Atletico Madrid in 2011, Simeone has barely put a foot wrong. Tactically brilliant, extremely demanding and a source of inspiration for his players, the Argentinian has become the biggest star at the Vicente Calderon without kicking a single ball.
For the most part, his January was excellent as he guided the team to four wins from five games in La Liga and knocked Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey.
But if there's one criticism to be levelled at Simeone for January, it's that he got it wrong against Barcelona on two occasions.
In the league clash with the Catalans, the move of right-back Jesus Gamez to left-back backfired, while the clear instructions to use an extremely high defensive line in the second leg of their Copa del Rey meeting with Barca provided an abundance of space for Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez to attack.
Such an approach was understandable to begin with—with a 1-0 deficit to erase, Atleti needed to chase the game early—but after Torres' early goal, there was an opportunity for the home side to play a touch more conservatively and stifle Barcelona. They missed it.
Those two games might be the only occasions in which Simeone made questionable decisions all season.
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