Real Madrid: Raphael Varane had another quiet masterclass against Eibar
Real Madrid allowed one goal, but Raphael Varane was practically flawless.
As the debate over the world’s best center back rages on, Real Madrid’s untouchable defensive duo shined in La Liga’s return on Sunday against Eibar. And although it was Sergio Ramos who found the back of the net during a dream three-goal first-half at the Alfred Di Stefano, Raphael Varane walked away from the 3-1 victory as the most impressive defender.
The entire Real back four played at a high level yet again this season, and none of them were at fault for the unlucky goal conceded, which should go down as a rare error for world-class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
While the word “perfect” would be presumptuous, Varane wasn’t far off. He continued his sparkling form in the year 2020, shutting down any possible Eibar attack. Varane was running end-to-end defensively, cleaning up any threatening pass and providing some pinpoint passes to Karim Benzema in the deep regions of the field to begin attacks.
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According to WhoScored.com, Varane was a maestro on the ball, putting up numbers that would make Serie A’s registas envious.
The France captain completed 92 percent of his passes and attempted a team-high 75 passes. He had an astounding 14 long passes completed out of 17 attempts, showing both initiative and execution.
Defensively, Varane was as composed as ever. He was unbeatable in the air, won two interceptions for his side, and led the way with six clearances. Varane, as always, mopped up any loose balls, often converting them into attacks.
He was remarkable in the first half and held things together in the second when Real’s midfield grew weary and overrun and the fullbacks picked up knocks. (Pedro Leon had his way with a less-than-100-percent Marcelo, for example.)
Varane’s reading of the game and football IQ have been consistently praised throughout his career, but especially in the 2019-2020 season for Real Madrid. The 27-year-old is entering the prime of his career, so it’s no surprise that his best displays are incoming. His technical prowess, passing accuracy, and chess-like vision are continually improving, as the down 2018-2019 season is well and truly a thing of the past.
Next. Three takeaways from Real Madrid's win over Eibar. dark
Eibar managed to score a goal past the dominant duo of Ramos and Varane, but the goal had nothing to do with any failing on their part – such is the plight of relying on pundits to read box scores months after a season’s end. Varane’s excellence against Eibar should not be forgotten, not even amidst the praise for the wonderous first half from the forwards, Toni Kroos, and Ramos.