My Ritual After a Big Game Like Club América vs Atlas F.C.
Alright, so the whistle’s gone for Club América against Atlas F.C. Man, these games always get the blood pumping, one way or another. First thing I usually do, after the shouting at the TV has died down, is try to actually figure out who did what out there. It’s become a bit of a habit, this whole player rating thing, and I figure I’d share how I go about it.
How I Go About It – No Fancy Spreadsheets Here
I don’t have some super complex system, believe me. It’s pretty old school, just me and my thoughts, mostly. Here’s the breakdown of what I do:
- During the match: I try to keep a bit of paper handy, or even just the notes app on my phone. Nothing fancy. If a player does something that really catches my eye – could be a brilliant pass, a terrible mistake, a moment of laziness, or pure genius – I’ll try to jot it down. Something like, “Number 7, great run, shame about the finish” or “Centre-back, caught sleeping on that attack.” Just little reminders, because you’d be surprised how much you forget by the end of 90-plus minutes.
- Right after the final whistle: I don’t dive straight into numbers. Nah. I usually let it all sink in for a bit. Maybe grab another drink, replay a few key moments in my head. The immediate emotion of a win, loss, or even a frustrating draw can cloud your judgment, so I try to let that settle.
- Going through the motions, player by player: Once I feel a bit more level-headed, I’ll mentally (or literally, if I made good notes) go through the lineup. From the goalkeeper, through the defenders, into the midfield, and then the forwards. Can’t forget the subs either, especially if they played a decent chunk of time and actually had a chance to influence things.
The Nitty-Gritty of Giving Out Numbers
So, when I’m looking at each player from the Club América vs Atlas F.C. match, or any match really, I’m thinking about a few core things:
Did they actually do their job? Sounds simple, right? But did the winger provide width and try to beat his man? Did the defensive midfielder break up play and protect the backline? Basic stuff, but important.
Did they make any massive errors? A shocking giveaway that led directly to a goal, a completely unnecessary red card, or just looking lost out there. These things have to pull a rating down. No one’s perfect, but some mistakes are costlier than others.
Were there any standout moments, good or bad? A moment of brilliance like a stunning goal or a last-ditch tackle can really boost a score. On the flip side, consistently poor decision-making or a lack of effort really stands out too.
My scale is usually a classic 1 to 10. It’s what most folks understand. Here’s a rough guide to my thinking:
- 1-4: Had a stinker, really. A performance they’ll want to forget fast. Maybe they were a liability.
- 5: Meh. Just kind of there. Didn’t do much wrong, but didn’t do much right either. Filled a shirt.
- 6: Decent enough. Put in a shift, showed a few good touches, contributed okay. Solid but unspectacular.
- 7: A good, solid performance. Positively influenced the game. You’d be happy with this.
- 8: Very, very good. Made a significant impact, probably involved in key positive moments.
- 9-10: Absolutely outstanding. Ran the show. Man of the Match material, no doubt. Rare to give these out unless it’s truly special.
It’s not always straightforward. Some players are quietly effective – they do the dirty work that doesn’t always grab headlines but is vital for the team. It’s tough to give them a 9, but they deserve more than a 6. Then you get players who score a goal but are anonymous for the other 89 minutes. How do you balance that? That’s the tricky part, and where it gets subjective, I guess.
So, Why Do I Even Bother?
Good question. It’s not like I’m sending these reports to the clubs! For me, it’s a way to engage with the game on a deeper level than just cheering or groaning. It makes me pay more attention to individual contributions and the tactical side of things. Plus, it’s a good way to spark a bit of debate with mates afterwards. Everyone sees the game differently, and arguing about who played well and who stunk up the pitch is half the fun of being a fan, isn’t it?
So, that’s my rundown. No magic formula, just years of watching football and trying to be reasonably fair. After a game like Club América vs Atlas F.C., this is the process I’d go through. It helps me make sense of it all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some ratings to think about from today’s action.
