Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 2-3 Real Madrid

ATLETICO MADRID

Asenjo: 6.5 - Could do little about the first two goals. Although he should have closed down Higuain for the third, he made some good stops to keep Atletico in the game.

Ujfalusi: 6.5 - Sent in an excellent cross to set up Forlan's goal, but he was very suspect in defence. Played more like a right winger towards the end of the game.

Perea: 3 - Looked completely lost in the backline. Struggled with Higuain and was caught out of position on a number of occasions. Some shambolic defended gifted the third goal to Real Madrid and he was then whistled by his own fans.

Pablo: 5 - Should have blocked Marcelo's shot for the second goal, and there was a clear lack of communication with Perea. Sacrificed by Sanchez Flores in the dying minutes as the coach threw everything forward.

Lopez: 6 - Did his best to mop up behind his calamitous defensive team-mates, but had his hands full with Sergio Ramos bombing forward.

Cleber Santana: 5.5 - Caught on the ball by Diarra for the opening goal and was awful on the ball in the first half. Improved after Real Madrid went down to 10 men as he showed his physical prowess.

Raul Garcia: 6 - He was outmuscled by Diarra on many occasions in the first half but didn't allow Xabi Alonso much time on the ball in the middle of the park.

Reyes: 6 - He was the most lively of the attacking midfield trio in the first half, but Maxi Rodriguez, his replacement, was far more effective.

Jurado: 5.5 - Virtually anonymous for the time he spent on the pitch, and clearly does not have as good an understanding with Forlan as Aguero does.

Simao: 6 - Had the beating of Sergio Ramos on the left wing and had the freedom of the Vicente Calderon after the right back was sent off. Should have halved the deficit just before half time when he was set through on goal.

Forlan: 7 - The Uruguayan had a very quiet first half, but started and finished the move for Atletico's first goal. Linked up well with Aguero when he was on the pitch, but he will be disappointed to have passed up some of his opportunities.

Substitutes:

Aguero: 8 - Played in the same position as Jurado but more far  more effective. Held off pepe very well to score Atletico's second goal, and continually threatened the Real Madrid backline. One can only imagine how the game would have panned out if Kun had been fully fit.

Maxi Rodriguez: 7 - He played a wonderful chested ball through to Aguero in second half stoppage time, and was a real threat to los Blancos' defence.

Sinama-Pongolle: N/A - Brought on with five minutes to go. Aside from being flagged offside once, he couldn't get involved in the play.


REAL MADRID

Casillas: 7 - 'San Iker' had had little to do until Atletico's late flurry, but he made some crucial saves in the dying minutes to keep his side in the game.

Ramos: 4.5 - He was beaten by Simao on a number of occasions and was frequently caught too far forward. Sent off for a clear professional foul in the 66th minute, and his team were lucky to cling on.

Pepe: 4 - He was at fault for both of Atletico's goals, losing Forlan for the first and was far too weak in the challenge to allow Aguero through on goal for the second. A very poor showing.

Garay: 5.5 - The Argentine was farily uninvolved in the first half but was then all at sea when Atletico threw everything at the visitors in the second half.

Arbeloa: 6 - Looked fairly uncomfortable at left back as he was forced to cut inside a lot, where his crosses were fairly poor from promising positions.

Kaka: 7 - He was left criminally unmarked for the goal, allowing him to set himself for a delightful finish. Was fairly uninvolved thereafter, and was substituted in the final stages.

Diarra: 8 - Won countless balls in the midfield and was completely outmuscling Atletico. Dominant on the ball until the last 15 minutes, when los Blancos' midfield was completely overrun.

Xabi Alonso: 6.5 - A fairly quiet performance from the former Liverpool midfielder. His set piece deliveries were of varying quality, and there was little evidence of his trademark long balls.

Marcelo: 6.5 - Excellent finish from a tight angle to give Real Madrid a two goal advantage, and was enjoying his football in the first half. Couldn't cope with Ujfalusi's attacking runs in the second period.

Higuain: 7 - Did very little during his time on the pitch aside from his goal, but showed good persistence to win the ball off Perea and calmness in front of goal to score the visitors' third.

Benzema: 6 - Worked hard but there was very little end product. Produced a nice assist for Marcelo, while he also brought a good save from Asenjo in the first half.

Substitutes:

Raul: 5 - Found it difficult to influence the game, as he had to play for 20 minutes as a lone striker.

Gago: 5.5 - Was unable to stop the waves of Atletico attacks in the last 20 minutes.

Van der Vaart: N/A - Got stuck in during his five minutes on the pitch, but was unable to contribute in an attacking sense.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com