The Real Champs
Fansided

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona Player Ratings: Vinicius Junior makes the difference

By Yasheel Vyas

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (R) celebrates with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 1, 2020. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP) (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (R) celebrates with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 1, 2020. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP) (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Real Madrid GK Thibaut Courtois
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 01: Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid celebrates a goal during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 01, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Thibaut Courtois (GK)

Thibaut Courtois helped Real Madrid on multiple occasions where he was left high and dry by his teammates and still came out right on top of the opposition. Courtois deserved a clean sheet for his efforts as he helped Real Madrid go into the second half without conceding a goal. He saved Toni Kroos some blushes as he allowed Arthur to run in behind and go one on one vs Courtois. Overall, Courtois ended the game with four big saves.

Rating: 9/10

Dani Carvajal (RB)

Dani Carvajal turned the tide around from his horrible showing against Manchester City midweek. He was all over the pitch today and worked like a horse on both ends of the pitch. Carvajal not only kept Griezmann under control for most part and handled Jordi Alba well but also made some bombing runs forward and helping Fede Valverde on the right on the attack.

He made a crucial interception from a goal kick which almost led to a goal for Real Madrid. He pressed hungrily and never let the intensity drop for the whole 90 minutes.

Rating: 9/10

Raphael Varane (CB)

Raphael Varane had a quiet game as he did well in clearing up the danger and was there to mop up anything that was coming towards him. He was well positioned and helped his fellow defenders out on couple of occasions in dangerous situations. He did lose Antoine Griezmann once at the start of the game, but Griezmann skied his shot from a low cross from Jordi Alba. Otherwise he was solid throughout the game.

Rating: 7.5/10

Sergio Ramos (CB)

Sergio Ramos had a quiet game, too, as he did well defensively alongside Varane to help Real Madrid keep a clean sheet. He didn’t put a foot wrong defensively today and did a good job of keeping Leo Messi quiet.

Rating: 8/10

Marcelo (LB)

Nobody expected Zinedine Zidane to start Marcelo after resting Ferland Mendy against Levante to avoid him get suspended for the El Clasico. Marcelo hasn’t been in his top form and Mendy has been playing pretty well so far this season.

This surprise inclusion had many worried because of Brazilian’s tendency to leave the defence open. Marcelo put in his best performance of the season as he did well in facilitating the attacks down the left with some lovely combinations with Vinicius and Isco. Marcelo turned it up a notch defensively as well and made a goal saving tackle on Leo Messi as the Argentinian went through one on one with Courtois.

Rating: 8.5/10

Home/Editorials