Real Madrid: Player Ratings from frustrating loss to Manchester City
With the dusted now settled we take a look at the player ratings from Real Madrid’s tough 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Round of 16.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois – 8
Courtois kept Madrid in the game when the game was 0-0 and continued to do so when City finally got on the scoresheet and pushed to take home a sizeable advantage. If not for his last-second heroics, City could easily have had three if not four goals. He did his job well, but it was the men in front of him that fell short of the mark.
Dani Carvajal – 5.5
It was a tough task for Carvajal as Pep deployed an interesting tactic of having Gabi Jesus play through their left flank as a striker. This caused Carvajal problems in keeping up, which only worsened when Raheem Sterling made his way on to the pitch.
The right back got left for dead on several occasions, unable to track back in time. His biggest downfall, conceding the penalty which put City ahead. What’s done is done. He needs to be much better in the second-leg if there’s any chance at progressing in the competition.
Raphael Varane – 7
Another solid game from Varane, but when isn’t he? The Frenchman held it down in the back with Sergio Ramos by his side while he also showed off his ability to dribble the ball into the middle of the park and make a smart play.
Sergio Ramos – 7
What was a strong performance from the Capitan that was clouded by the showing of a red card in the closing stages of the match. There was contact no doubt, but enough to justify Sterling falling to the ground faster than the speed of sound? Probably not. Nonetheless, Ramos was solid with three blocks and clearances. He will miss the next game though, making the second-leg seem even more daunting.
Ferland Mendy – 7.5
Mendy’s game against City has to be one of his cleanest performances in a white shirt thus far. The left-back who started ahead of the veteran Marcelo proved to Zidane he made the right choice. He moved the ball up the pitch with urgency and clearly developed great chemistry and understanding with Vincius Jr. Mendy lead the team with three key passes and tied several others with three dribbles on the night.