Football
Joseph Walker, Atletico Madrid blogger 6y

Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann pick Lokomotiv Moscow apart in second half

Atletico Madrid sailed into the quarterfinals of the Europa League as they hammered Lokomotiv Moscow 5-1 (8-1 on aggregate) in the Russian capital on Thursday evening.

Nobody in Europe's second competition will want to draw Atletico, who on a week when a number of sides put in meek displays in the Champions League, look like they should be playing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, rather than Thursdays. On this form, they would have every chance of winning it.

A first-half strike from Angel Correa was added to by Saul Niguez, Fernando Torres (two) and Antoine Griezmann efforts after the break as Los Rojiblancos outlined their status as favourites for the competition.

Positives

Correa's best performance of the season, Saul's European form is stunning and Torres back in the goals. Not to mention Griezmann's cameo. Happy days.

Negatives

Seeing Filipe Luis stretchered off was worrying and the club will be hoping it is nothing too serious, although it looked painful.

Manager rating out of 10

8 -- Diego Simeone named a strong lineup despite a healthy first-leg lead, showing just how seriously he is taking this competition.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Axel Werner, 6 -- Good early save, however helpless with the goal. Would have done well not to catch a cold thereafter. Looks a decent deputy to Jan Oblak.

DF Juanfran, 6 -- Smacked the bar with a long-range piledriver that would have been a goal of the season contender. Solid in his work thereafter before being hooked at the break.

DF Jose Maria Gimenez, 7 -- Did the little that was required of him in a defensive sense, making one last-ditch tackle late on. Also went close at the other end, too. Should score more goals, if you are being pedantic.

DF Diego Godin, 7 -- Dealt well with the physical presence of Eder for the large part. One wonderful piece of control and skill with his chest in the closing stages, as well.

DF Filipe Luis, 7 -- Set up Saul's goal but the night was soured as his brilliant last-ditch tackle on Eder saw him leave the field on a stretcher. It did not look good for the Brazilian.

MF Koke, 7 -- Lovely combination play with Correa to set up the opener and an intelligent leave to allow the better-positioned Saul to make it 2-1.

MF Thomas Partey, 6 -- Denied by a flying save from distance after the break. Never appears to get tired in the middle of the park and was still covering ground in stoppage time.

MF Gabi, 6 -- An experienced head in the middle of the park while the younger men around him did the leg work. Recycled the ball well.

MF Saul Niguez, 7 -- Absolutely loves playing in Europe. Can he just imagine every La Liga game is played on the continent? Great finish to add to his goal in the first leg to put the result beyond doubt just after the break.

FW Angel Correa, 9 -- Played in his preferred No. 10 role and looked very, very good. Lovely drop of the shoulder and finish to open the scoring, produced a lovely through ball to tee up Torres for his second and showed tenacity to set up Griezmann.

FW Fernando Torres, 8 -- Was without a goal for a while but took both his chances with aplomb. Good penalty and great composure to finish one-on-one.

Substitutes

DF Sime Vrsaljko (for Juanfran), 6 -- Broke forwards well and linked up with the attack.

MF Antoine Griezmann (for Saul), 9 -- One of the best half-hour cameos you will ever see. Came on and was the best player on the pitch. Won a penalty within minutes and scored an impish chip to put the icing on the cake.

DF Lucas Hernandez (for Luis), 6 -- Celebrated a maiden France call up today and looked full of confidence.

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