Real Madrid won their first Madrid derby in the league at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2012 thanks to Karim Benzema‘s goal in the second half.
Zinedine Zidane started the same lineup as the Super Copa final with five midfielders, with only change for Real Madrid being Karim Benzema up front instead of Luka Jovic. The five in the midfield got overrun by Atletico Madrid’s counter attacks and got paralyzed going forward with nobody occupying the wide spots.
So Zidane addressed this issue with his substitutes at half time as Kroos and Isco made way for Vinicius Jr and Lucas Vazquez respectively. Real Madrid now sit on top of the table with a six-point advantage over Barcelona who have a game in hand.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois had a good game overall as he made couple of good saves and kept yet another clean sheet. Real Madrid had a nervy start and looked shaky defensively in the first half, but Courtois did well whenever called upon. He wasn’t too busy in the second half as Zidane’s substitutes changed the game.
Rating: 8/10
LB Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy had the game of his life today, he was a stalwart defensively as usual and did pretty well against Atletico’s press. Mendy did well going forward and combined well with Vinicius to setup Karim Benzema for the goal. Mendy made a goal-saving interception in the first half when Ramos failed to stop Angelo Correa allowing him to run free. Mendy grew into the game offensively as the second half started and is showing some shades of his offensive game from his Lyon days.
Rating: 9/10
CB Raphael Varane
Varane put in a flawless performance at the heart of Real Madrid’s defence and cleared the danger when the team was struggling defensively. He remains the most in form defender in the world right now alongside Virgil van Dijk. His form is going to prove crucial for the rest of the season and could help Madrid get their first treble hopefully.
Rating: 7.5/10
CB Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos had a decent game overall and did well to keep Alvaro Morata and co. at bay. He had some nervy moments in the first half but was covered well by Varane and Mendy. He should have scored in the first half when he failed to finish two really good chances in the opening 15 minutes of the game.
Rating: 7/10
RB Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal played well and helped in carrying the right hand side of the team in the first half. He got help from Lucas Vazquez in the second and both combined well on the right hand side to trouble Renan Lodi continuously. He did well defensively and deserved a clean sheet for his performance.
Rating: 7/10
CDM Carlos Casemiro
Casemiro had a game of two halves where he was below par in the first as he made too many fouls and but somehow escaped a booking in the first half. He improved with the team in the second and covered well defensively to keep Atletico from scoring.
Rating: 6.5/10
CM Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos played well and created 2 great chances for Ramos in the opening 15-20 minutes. He was as usual calm as a cucumber on the ball and helped in progressing the play forward. He was unlucky to get subbed off in the second half as Real desperately needed wingers to take advantage of Atletico in the attack.
Rating: 6.5/10
CM Fede Valverde
Fede Valverde yet again impressed the most out of all the midfielders in the team. When the team was getting steamrolled by Atletico in the first half he was everywhere putting the fire out, breaking the play and always providing an outlet wide on the right hand side for counters. In the second half he shifted to his natural position where he impacted the game more and had a good attempt saved by Jan Oblak from outside the box. He deservingly won the Player of the Match award as well.
Rating: 9/10
LAM Isco Alarcon
Isco was underwhelming in the 45 minutes he got on the pitch. Isco has been criticised for his inconsistency and rightly so and he proved the critics right with a poor performance today. He was just a passenger for most of the first half despite and didn’t do much when he got time on the ball either. Zidane rightfully subbed him off for Lucas Vazquez who did an impressive job to see Madrid through.
Rating: 3/10
RAM Luka Modric
Luka Modric is an unbelievable player and it’s astonishing he’s outting in such great performances at 34 yrs of age. Zidane surprisingly kept him on the pitch over Toni Kroos, and it paid off. The Croatian captain progressed the play well and combined with Vazquez and Carvajal time and again to rattle Atletico. His work rate is still pretty good at this age and will be a key player if Real Madrid end up winning a trophy this season.
ST Karim Benzema
Benzema finally scored after so long in La Liga as he put pressure on Leo Messi for the Pichichi award. Karim had a poor first half where he almost costed a goal hadn’t it been for Mendy’s goal saving interception. Benzema was losing the ball often in the first half and he cut out a lonely figure up top with at least three Atletico players marking him at a time. He improved with the introduction of Vazquez and Vinicius and scored the winner with a great run and a finish to grab all three points for Madrid.
Rating: 7/10
LW Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Jr carried his sublime form from the Zaragoza game into the Derby and played an amazing pass to Mendy taking three Atletico players out of the equation for the match winning goal. He was a constant threat throughout the second half and forced Oblak into two saves. Vinicius is the closest player to Eden Hazard in terms of style and he’s proving why he should start whenever the Belgian is unavailable.
Rating: 8/10
RW Lucas Vazquez
Lucas Vazquez alongside Vinicius Jr turned the game around for Madrid in the second half. Real Madrid dominated with the two wingers on the pitch and took the game to Atletico. Vazquez put in a great shift defensively and helped Carvajal out throughout the game. He was great going forward and troubled Lodi and Felipe with his crosses. He also set Ferland Mendy up for a great opportunity from outside the box but the Frenchman skied the shot.
Rating: 7.5/10