ATLETICO MADRID
De Gea: 8 - Had precious little to do for the most part but showed why he is attracting the interest of Manchester United with two terrific late stops when his side were on the ropes. At just 19 years of age he has the confidence of a 'keeper with far more experience.
Ujfalusi: 7.5 - Galloped forward regularly throughout the match and threw himself to ground to earn a penalty in the first half. Went close in the second with another fine run and shot which was denied by the alert Cesar Sanchez.
Alvaro Dominguez: 6.5 - Didn't have a great deal to do at the back in a quiet overall performance.
Paulo Assuncao: 7 - An important physical presence as Atletico bossed the contest. Played in a delicious through ball for Forlan in the second half which the forward should have done better from.
Juanito: 7 - Neat and tidy. Made one particularly good tackle to deny Juan Mata in the first half.
Antonio Lopez: 7 - Whistled a long range drive wide of the post in the first half and was always a threat when he got forward.
Reyes: 5.5 - Back in the side after missing last week's contest but contributed little. Picked up a silly booking for using his elbow and could have been sent off for a bad tackle towards the end of the first half. Wisely his coach took him off for the second period.
Raul Garcia: 6.5 - Incisive when he got on the ball and tried his luck from distance when he was presented with the opportunity.
Simao: 6 - Went close with a volley in the first half but his performance was notable more for some dreadful corner kicks.
Aguero: 7 - Targeted from the outset and while he didn't sparkle, he set up Ujfalusi with a classy assist in the second half which deserved better.
Forlan: 6.5 - Missed an absolute sitter in the second half failing to extend his hot streak of goalscoring form. Later smacked the post before being withdrawn.
Substitutes
Jurado: 5.5 - Unable to make a real impression after replacing Reyes.
Camacho: N/A - Not on long enough to be rated.
Salvio: N/A - Time wasting late substitute.
VALENCIA
Cesar Sanchez: 7.5 - Looked a tad hesitant on occasion particularly when pressured by Forlan. Made a terrific stop to deny the forward in the second half by stretching his fingertips to force the ball onto the post.
Jordi Alba: 6.5 - Involved from the start making a clean but fair tackle on Tomas Ujfalusi early in the first half. Whipped in a decent ball for Zigic towards the end.
Manuel Fernandes: 8.5 - The midfielder was converted to center half and had a stormer looking entirely assured in his new role. Made some vital tackles and was a natural showing confidence at the back.
Maduro: 6.5 - Struggled to get a grip on Aguero initially as his quick feet left him for deep. Improved as the match wore on.
Alexis: 6 - Shoved his way into Aguero at the start making his intentions very clear in a physical performance.
Joaquin: 5.5 - Failed to show his true ability and saw little of the ball. He was another player guilty of taking horrendous corners. Taken off with 20 minutes to go.
Baraja: 6 - Atletico dominated the midfield battle meaning the veteran was unable to exert much of an influence on the game.
Pablo Hernandez: 7 - Fairly quiet until he played in a sensational ball for Villa in the latter stages which cut the Atletico defense to shreds.
Silva: 6.5 - Withdrew more and more into his own half to get any time on the ball. Picked up a booking for a poor challenge in the second half.
Mata: 6.5 - Was one of Valencia's better players in the first half sending in some good crosses which had nobody to take advantage of them in the box.
Villa: 7 - Had little in the way of service so he was forced to go it alone creating a half-chance for himself in the first half and smacking the crossbar with a late, late shot which nearly broke Atletico hearts.
Substitutes
Zigic: 7 - A huge threat in the air once he came on forcing De Gea into a terrific save. Went to ground appealing for a penalty late on after having his shirt ripped.
Vicente: 6.5 - Hustled and harried when he was introduced with Zigic with 20 minutes to go.
Navarro: N/A - A last throw of the dice near the death.
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