Dani Alves' mixed afternoon: An assist, a goal and a red card

Dani Alves is a special character, one who capable of the best but also the worst. What happened in Sunday's game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid proves that point.

The Brazilian right-back joined Barcelona in a bid to help the team bounce back in this transition period, despite his 38 years of age. Alves undoubtedly brings both joy and experience to the team and, up to the 65th minute, he was demonstrating what he can contribute to Barcelona's efforts to get something out of this season.

He played as an extra midfielder and was particularly lively in attack, as Alves helped the team circulate the ball, produced an assist to set up Jordi Alba and then scored one of his own. He received the ball just outside the box at the start of the second half and beat Jan Oblak as he placed his first-time strike into the bottom left corner to make it 4-1 for the Blaugrana.

Then, though, the Brazilian full-back turned from hero to villain as he received a direct red card for a challenge on Yannick Carrasco.

This was the 10th red card that Alves has been shown in LaLiga Santander, with the Barcelona right-back receiving an ovation by the fans on his way to the dressing room.