Real Madrid played host to Real Sociedad and it was the loanee who proved to be the most difficult task at the Bernabeu. Here’s a look at how the players performed.
Defence
Alphonse Areola – 6
It was a rough performance from the team as a whole and excuses could be made for Areola but that first goal should not have gone in. That was a massive turning point in the match and with the wind in their sails would put two more past Areola in two minutes. Four goals in one game given how well this team has played in recent weeks is a massive disappointment.
Nacho – 7.5
He was good at times but his overlap left plenty of room in the back for Sociedad and the capitalised. That being said his goal to bring the match within reach with just stoppage time remaining was epic.
Eder Militao – 6
It was neither here no there. He surely isn’t Raphael Varane. Militao got caught on his heels on several occasions having to backpedal quickly. He got beat on a few occasions as well in one-v-one situations. Not something you want to see from the spine of your defence.
Sergio Ramos – 6
As the leader of the backline and Captain of the team, the responsibility to some extent falls on Ramos’ shoulders. Four goals in 20 minutes are what nightmares are made of.
Marcelo – 7.5
Like Nacho his overlap left the team exposed but he did better to get back. His goal injecting energy into the team which allowed them to rally as hard as they could to try and level the match.
Midfield
Federico Valverde – 7
An average performance from Valverde as what fans were once in awe of from the young Uruguayan is now the expectation. He recovered balls quickly and stopped a couple of breaks but like Benzema seemed a bit gassed. A rare sight considering the work rate we have seen so far this season.
Toni Kroos – 7
The team’s metronome was ticking but off-rhythm on some occasions. Sociedad’s energetic approach left Kroos with little time on the ball to spread the pitch. Things flowed a little better though when Luka Modric made his way on for James Rodriguez.
James Rodriguez – 6
I was happy to the see the Colombian getting a start in today’s match but Sociedad’s one-goal lead and lack of efficiency in offence from Madrid made James the sacrificial lamb at the start of the second half. His time on the pitch looked bright though and it would be hard to argue that with more minutes he could return to fine form and make a positive impact on the team. His one shot on target seemed like a sure goal as soon as he connected with it but Alex Remiro had other plans.
Attack
Brahim Diaz – 6
Fans haven’t seen a whole lot of Diaz and today was his chance in the Copa Del Rey. He looked quick and sharp on the ball but would over-dribble giving the ball away to the opposition cheaply. There were moments where he connected well with teammates in tight space but releasing the ball to an open player sooner rather than later could have increased his impact on the game.
Karim Benzema – 5
Benzema looked flat and far from his usual self where he is usually seen dropping deep helping build the attack and making intelligent runs into the box. Service wasn’t always perfect but the Frenchman usually has a knack for working with whatever is thrown at him.
Vinicius Jr. – 8
He may not have got on the score sheet but my oh my, Vinicius was the catalyst to this incredible game which resulted in a near comeback. He worked every muscle in his body to get up and down the pitch trying to create something from nothing. Plenty of credit needs to be given from this game alone to a youngster who has received criticism this season.
Substitutes
Luka Modric – 6
The team seemed to move around the pitch better with Modric on the field and that’s to expected given his game IQ. Sadly he wasn’t able to provide the killer touch needed to bring the team back level and take the game to extra time.
Luka Jovic – 5
Jovic came in for Valverde and it is far from an ideal situation for a striker to enter a game four goals down with less than 15 minutes to play.
Rodrygo Goes – 6.5
Good on the young Brazilian coming into a high stakes game and having the composure to direct the ball into the back of the net to keep Madrid’s fighting chances up.