They say the best form of defence is attack – at Wanda Metropolitano it was the other way round as titanic centre-backs Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin gave Atletico Madrid a huge 2-0 advantage in their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg clash with Juventus.

After a nip-and-tuck first half, Atleti started to turn the screw in the second and the visitors were unlucky to see a Alvaro Morata header ruled out after consultation with VAR adjudged Giorgio Chiellini was pushed in the build-up.

That wouldn’t deter the hosts, as Gimenez scored from a corner before Godin put the icing on the cake with a neat finish. Our Atleti ratings are below…

ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2)

Jan Oblak – Clawed away that rasping Ronaldo free-kick and then a similarly swerving Bernardeschi effort at the death  7

Juanfran – Wound the clock back to do a generally superb job on Ronaldo down his flank, no quarter given 7

Diego Godin – Helped Juanfran corral Ronaldo well. Did well to adjust body to fire ball goalwards for second 8

Jose Gimenez – Fastest to react from pinball in the box  and made a mammoth nine clearances at back. Titan 9

Filipe Luis – Made as many touches as any Atleti player – rock solid in defence and should have had an assist 8

Saul Niguez – Work-rate was commendable as usual, weren’t many moments of ingenuity on the ball 6

Rodri – A fine player whose reputation is only getting better. Usually makes right decision in possession 7

Thomas Partey – Rash challenge means he’ll miss the second leg, made up for it by swinging in corner that led to goal 6

Koke – Confusing decision to bring him off, helped outnumber Juve midfield by drifting inside. Brightest spark outside Griezmann 7

Antoine Griezmann – Atleti’s best chances were channelled through their maestro and his deft lob so nearly broke the deadlock 7

Diego Costa – How did he miss that chance? And by a huge margin, too. Asserted himself against Juve bodies, but not with the ball 5

SUBSTITUTES

Thomas Lemar (57′) – Brought on to add pace and verve. Just hasn’t done that consistently since summer move 6

Alvaro Morata (60′) – Added instant pep ahead of Costa and thunderous header was so unlucky to be reversed by VAR 8

Angel Correa (67′) – Another attacking move with Simeone knowing his side needed to win here, no starring role though 6