And just like that, in the span of just eight days, Real Madrid have added two more Super Cup trophies, the UEFA and now the Spanish, to their quickly growing collection of titles. After defeating FC Barcelona 2-0 Wednesday night in Madrid, 5-1 on aggregate, Real now sit atop the football world. Let’s take a closer look at the player ratings of each player who contributed to this match.
Goalkeeper and Defense
Keylor Navas – 8.5
He’s now started three matches and given up just two goals. One of those goals was a fortunate rebound, the other from a penalty after an undeserving foul.
In essence, Keylor has looked sharp to start the new campaign.
Today was no different as his team needed him to be stout and not allow Barca to gain any momentum, and that’s exactly what he did. Navas was only credited with three saves in the match, but he made several crucial sweeper like plays, cutting off through balls and playing aggressively.
He was saved by the crossbar and the post on two separate occasions, but the Costa Rican was deserving of keeping the clean sheet. As I’ve said before, I haven’t been the biggest fan of Navas in the past, but he’s doing a great job in changing my mind.
Marcelo – 8
It shouldn’t surprise any Real Madrid fan that Marcelo played great yet again tonight against Real’s arch rival. The Brazilian left back has become a guaranteed contributor to the Real attack and defense every single game.
Marcelo didn’t hesitate to move up the field and help on the attack (even with his team holding a large lead) and helped to assist Karim Benzema on the second goal of the match late in the first half.
His passing was very good linking up with Marco Asensio instead of Cristiano Ronaldo on that left wing, and he even played well when Zidane elected to bring on Theo Hernandez in the second half.
Marcelo won two tackles and stepped in front of several passes, holding Sergio Roberto, as usual, at bay for the entire match.
Sergio Ramos – 7
Captain Sergio was up to his old tricks tonight, chipping at the Barca attackers, and even messing with Leo Messi after a stoppage in play in the second half, throwing the ball over the little attackers head.
Ramos passed the ball great, completing 47 of his 50 passes, and won 1 ariel duel.
Ramos was in the right place at the right time on several occasions, and as usual was a great leader on the field.
Raphael Varane – 8.5
I spoke glowingly of Varane in my preview of the center backs, and he delivered as I expected he would again today. Rafa was so quick tracking back to cover long balls, it surprised me.
On one occasion in the first half, a through ball down the wing looked like it would send Luis Suarez in on goal, but Varane not only tracked down Suarez but won the ball off of him and cleared it away.
He also finished with the most tackles of any Real Madrid player with 5, tied for most of any player in the match.
Ramos and Varane gave no space up the middle for Suarez and Messi to try and get shots away, and with suffocating defense on the Barca midfielders, there was never a true threat of anything getting past them when they were set up.
Dani Carvajal – 6.5
Dani Carvajal didn’t play poorly in this match, I just feel he wasn’t as involved as he could’ve been.
His passing was good, but he wasn’t as lethal as usual going forward. That being said, he gave Leo Messi no time to get shots away or even dribble towards goal.
Midfielders
Luka Modric – 7.5
Having Luka Modric in the squad is a beautiful thing. What can’t the Croatian phenom do?
He was out there simply toying with the Barcelona players with the way he played. Not only was the little flick over the head of Andre Gomes perfect, but his overall passing was great as well. The midfield maestro completed 74 of his 80 attempted passes and had an easy time working his way through the Barca midfield.
He also nearly scored in the opening two minutes of the match, linking up well with Marco Asensio on the wing, but had his shot blocked.
It was another clinic from the veteran Modric as he finished with the most touches of anyone in the match with 88.
Mateo Kovacic – 7.5
Mateo is slowly but surely becoming one of my favorite players in the Real Madrid team. Playing alongside his countrymen Modric, Kova was just as clinical with his passing, dribbling, ball control, and help on defense.
Many fans were skeptical of not starting Casemiro, but Mateo quickly showed everyone why he could help the back four like Casemiro does with his great defensive plays.
Mateo finished with the most dribbles of the Real squad, with three, and made a couple of good clearances when Barca looked to be threatening.
Zidane is going to have even more of a headache going forward when deciding who he wants to pick for the starting XI in midfield.
Toni Kroos – 6.5
Much like Carvajal, I don’t think Toni played poorly, but I don’t think he was as involved as he could’ve been.
He only made one key pass the entire match playing 79 minutes, but the German was a presence that helped the squad out tremendously as usual.
Another reason I mark him down as a 6.5 is because of his horrible attempt on goal in the first half. After a great run from Lucas Vasquez, Kroos chunked the ground and shanked the ball well wide of ter Stegen.
Forwards
Marco Asensio (Man of the Match) – 9.5
Marco Asensio is a wizard I am now convinced.
I have never seen anyone do to the ball what he does match after match. After scoring an absolute ripper of a shot on Sunday in the first leg, Marco did it again just four minutes in, finessing a shot high past ter Stegen, leaving him cemented in the middle of the goal.
Asensio ladies and gentlemen. The possible heir to CR7 pic.twitter.com/M29m4DE0ST
— J (@FutbolJoseph) August 16, 2017
The way he moved around the pitch was nothing short of incredible, as he looked at home roaming the front line and midfield throughout the match.
There were multiple occasions when I saw Marco move from the far left wing to alongside Lucas Vasquez on the right, or behind Karim Benzema in the middle.
Asensio is such a talent, Real Madrid have found a diamond in the rough. Thanks to Mr. Rafael Nadal.
Karim Benzema – 8.5
Yes, I’ve been a Benz hater for at least a year now. I was actually complaining about him today around the half hour mark of the match. My exact words were, “I just can’t get on board the Benzema hype train.”
Followed by, “his job is to score and he just doesn’t.” Then, of course, he scored a great goal off a Marcelo assist.
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Immediately, I back tracked on my comment and admitted being overly judgemental towards Karim. Today he deserves praise for his title sealing goal. I still don’t know if Karim is a great starting striker going forward, but he deserves praise for his performance today.
He was creating chances and making great runs in behind the defense all match.
He earned Man of the Match honors according to WhoScored’s rating, but I think Marco Asensio is more deserving of that honor for this match.
Lucas Vasquez – 7
I was a bit confused with the decision to start Vasquez over Bale on the right wing, but the Spaniard played well, especially in the first half. Vasquez was all over the Barca defense in the first half, pushing forward and putting shots on goal left and right.
He got a bit unfortunate after hitting the post on a great shot, but he still did what he could.
Lucas is a very impressive dribbler and I think he is deserving of more playing time, mainly because of what he did today against a solid defensive back line.
Substitutes
Casemiro – 6
The brick wall in the back of the Real Madrid midfield came in and did what he always does. Locks it down.
He played just shy of a half hour after coming on in the 61st minute and although Barca’s attacked harder and pushed deep into Madrid’s final third pouring shots on the net Case stood tall and helped the defense.
Casemiro did a good job holding the midfield in position and playing well. It was another solid performance for the brick wall Brazilian.
Theo Hernandez – 5.5
In his competitive debut, Theo didn’t make much of an impact. He did play out of position as he was subbed on for Asensio on the left wing, playing with Marcelo on the same side.
Although he did push forward a couple times, his crosses had a little too much power on them and he had a chance to pull a ball back to Modric on the edge of the box but skyed the cross over the goal.
If he plays in his natural left back position, I have a good feeling he will play much better.
Dani Ceballos – 6
Another guy who made his competitive debut with Real Madrid today was the young midfielder, Dani Ceballos.
He only played about 15 minutes but I was impressed with his foot skills and his speed moving forward to attack. I’m very excited to see what he does in the future.
Next: Tactical analysis of Real Madrid vs Barcelona Super Cup second leg