Atletico Madrid fought back from two-goals down to share the spoils with Juventus in an engaging Champions League opener at Wanda Metropolitano.
A tense Group D-contest exploded into life after the interval. Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado– a surprise starter – utilised dancing feet and a sublime curled finish on 48 minutes, with France midfielder Blaise Matuidi heading in the second past the hour mark.
Roared on by an impassioned crowd and head coach Diego Simeone, the La Liga challengers refused to surrender. Montenegro centre-back Stefan Savic headed in on the line during the 70th minute and substitute Hector Herrera rose highest from another set-piece on the 90th minute to break Juve hearts in a rollercoaster 2-2 draw.
Here are the player ratings:
ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2)
Jan Oblak 6: Could only stand back and admire Cuadrado’s sublime finish. Matuidi header was far too strong.
Kieran Trippier 7: Kept Ronaldo deathly quiet, although cross for the second came from England right-back’s side. Cleared one off the line from Matuidi.
Stefan Savic 6: Provided hope with a close-range header, from which he was unmarked throughout. Caught underneath advancing Matuidi for the killer second, however.
Jose Gimenez 6: Saw several opportunities come to nothing. Savic managed to get the goal from his header. Teamwork.
Renan Lodi 5: Was befuddled by Cuadrado’s smart feet for the first. Then conducted himself poorly when trying to get same player dismissed for a push.
Koke 6: Economical, as always, with the ball. Ensured Atleti didn’t lose their heads from two-goals down.
Thomas Partey 6: More involved than partner Saul. Couldn’t, truly, get better of Khedira and Matuidi.
Saul Niguez 5: Spain dynamo short-circuited on the night. Game utterly passed him by.
Thomas Lemar 5: That’s five run-outs in all competitions without a goal or assist. Nowhere near good enough.
Joao Felix 6: A big threat in the first half, faded after that. Produced a trademark mazy run and threatened with a header.
Diego Costa 5: Might as well stayed at home. Produced zero attempts on goal. Only noteworthy incident was when he dived into Danilo and Brazil right-back got injured.
SUBSTITUTES
Angel Correa 5: Lemar set a low bar. Correa could only match it.
Hector Herrera N/A: Mexico midfielder became the toast of the Wanda when he rose highest to level upon 90 minutes.
Vitolo N/A: Threatened with one rasping shot.
JUVENTUS (4-3-3)
Wojciech Szczesny 7: Alert early doors to stop Felix’s low effort. No other real involvements. Let down by defence for Savic header.
Danilo 7: Formed a quartet of ex-Real Madrid players. Dominated his flank – which Los Blancos fans wouldn’t have expected.
Leonardo Bonucci 7: Bravely snubbed out Costa threat, taking a whack in fifth minute. What a long ball to set Cuadrado’s stunner into motion.
Matthijs de Ligt 6: Could see understanding developing with Bonucci and Juve’s approach. Was chasing shadows, however, for Savic goal.
Alex Sandro 8: Endless energy and punishing accuracy saw him delightfully tee-up Matuidi’s goal. Physical presence when asked to defend.
Sami Khedira 7: The Juve tifosi may yet learn to love Khedira. Did a solid job in the Spanish capital.
Miralem Pjanic 6: Threaded things together in midfield. Essential to Juve edging possession.
Blaise Matuidi 7: Horrific, miscued shot in first half was forgotten after break when he charged forwards to head in. You didn’t see that under Massimiliano Allegri.
Juan Cuadrado 7: Symbolised Juve’s night – quiet first half, exceptional second half. Broke his duck for 2019/20 in some style. Lost cool with Lodi.
Gonzalo Higuain 7: An early symbol of Maurizio Sarri’s reign. Ran himself into the ground. Looked more mobile than he did at Madrid, as a much-younger man.
Cristiano Ronaldo 6: Incidental, rather than instrumental. Still, fed Sandro through to assist second. Boos didn’t bother him. Almost found bottom corner deep into injury time.
SUBSTITUTES
Rodrigo Bentancur 6: Jockeyed Felix all the way during one run.
Paulo Dybala N/A: Argentina forward did more defensively, than offensively.
Aaron Ramsey N/A: Late debut for the ex-Arsenal midfielder.