Real Madrid steps up a gear in the second half at Estadio Alfredo di Stefano to brush off Valencia 3-0.
Real Madrid continued their winning ways with a dominating victory against Valencia. Two goals from Karim Benzema and one from the returning Marco Asensio helped Los Blancos keep their La Liga title hopes alive. The first half was a bit of a struggle for Zinedine Zidane’s men. While they played well to keep possession, the Merengues found it laborious to break down Valencia’s defense.
However, Zidane’s half-time team talk worked like a charm as Los Blancos stepped up a gear in the second half. They were playing with high intensity and dismantled Valencia’s backline on multiple occasions, eventually scoring three goals. Here is a look at how well the players performed.
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois – 7/10
Real Madrid’s No.1 Thibaut Courtois had an excellent game. While he did not have much to do in the second half, he made two brilliant saves in the first. One of them was a fingertip save in a one on one against Rodrigo Moreno. The second was a diving save for the cameras to keep a thunderbolt from Geoffrey Kondogbia out.
He commanded his area with confidence and came out often to claim or punch the aerial balls. He claimed his 13th clean sheet of the season. The Belgian international is in the lead for the Zamora trophy, and if he continues to perform at this level, he will deserve it.
Defenders
Dani Carvajal 7/10
Dani Carvajal quietly had a pretty good game. He was consistently making himself available for a switch of play and sent early crosses in hopes to get Valencia defenders out. While some of his crosses were dangerous, many lacked quality and left Madridistas with much to be desired.
He was also competent back in defense. He put in an important block to deny Maxi Gomez a goal and had a total of three blocks in the game.
Sergio Ramos 8/10
Sergio Ramos was as always ‘Captain dependable.’ He was solid at the back and did not let anything pass him. He did well to keep Valencia attackers at bay. He also won the ball that started the sequence that ended in Los Blancos’ first goal.
Ramos won a game-high four aerial duels and also completed four interceptions. On his day, there is no one better than the Merengues captain in defense.
Raphael Varane 7/10
Raphael Varane’s partnership with Ramos is an envy for the world of football. The duo performs at a high level with such consistency that it is hard to find in any other center back two.
The French World Cup winner kept things clean and simple at the back. Unlike his more flashy partner, Varane just did his task as required and helped Los Blancos keep a clean sheet.
Ferland Mendy – 7.5/10
Ferland Mendy has been a revelation this season for Los Blancos. He is defensively strong, and his superb performances have kept Marcelo out of the first team for many games. The game against Valencia was no different. Nothing got past the former Lyon left-back.
He also proved himself to be no slouch in attack when he dribbled past Daniel Wass to assist Asensio for Real Madrid’s second goal. If he continues to improve his offensive game, he will no doubt be one of the best left-backs in the game.
Midfielders
Casemiro – 7/10
Casemiro did not start the game well, similar to the game against SD Eibar. He gave away a few fouls in the first half but avoided a yellow card that could have ruled him out of the Real Sociedad match.
However, as he did Sunday, he grew into the game and had a massive performance in the second half. The Brazillian completed 15 long balls that helped the Royal Whites switch play and maintain momentum at pivotal parts of the match.
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Toni Kroos – 8.5/10
Toni Kroos was one of the best players on the pitch. He dictated the tempo of the game from the get-go for Los Blancos and helped control the game. His superb game management ability was especially in display in the second half when the Merengues dominated Valencia.
The German International led the game with 128 touches and 112 completed passes. True to his ‘Sniper’ moniker, Kroos completed 100% of his ten long ball attempts.
Fede Valverde 6.5/10
Fede Valverde did not have one of his usual explosive performances. He struggled to find space in the first half, and his positioning was off.
However, his positioning improved as the game went on, and the Uruguayan midfielder was pivotal in Real Madrid’s dominance in the second half. He consistently got into half-spaces to become an outlet for the line breaking passes that dismantled Valencia.
Luka Modric 7/10
Luka Modric was another player who upped his game significantly in the second half. Zinedine Zidane deployed the Croatian in the free-role normally occupied by Isco. However, injury to the former Malaga man meant that Modric got the nod.
It took him some time to adjust to the position, but as the game wore on, he got more and more comfortable moving between the lines and playing a couple of brilliant line-breaking passes. He played a wonderful one-two with Hazard that led to the first goal.
Forwards
Eden Hazard – 7/10
Eden Hazard takes this Real Madrid team to a whole new level offensively. He continued right where he left off against SD Eibar. The Belgian forward had a great opportunity in the first half when Karim Benzema sent him through on goal. He could have done better with the chance, but some credit should do to Casper Cillessen, who made a good save.
The former Chelsea star was later involved in the Merengues opening goal. He played a lovely one-two with Modric before laying the ball off to Benzema, who calmly put the ball past the goalkeeper. Hazard also completed two dribbles in the match.
Karim Benzema – 9/10
Karim Benzema is one of the most crucial players in this Real Madrid squad. Without the Frenchman’s goals, Los Blancos would be struggling in the attacking department. His combination with Hazard is turning out to be deadly, and it showed in the game against Valencia.
His first goal was that of a pure finisher. He perfectly slotted the ball past Cillessen into the back of the net after a perfect layoff from Hazard. His second goal, moreover as a thing of beauty. As Asensio passed the ball to him at the top of the box, the French forward took one glorious touch on his right foot then smashed a half-volley into the net with his left. The goal was magical. Benzema had a man of the match performance.
Substitutes
Marco Asensio – 8.5/10
Marco Asensio is back. And what a return it was. The Spanish international volleyed home the second goal for Real Madrid with his first touch after being out for nine months from an ACL injury.
He also capped off his dream return with an assist to Benzema for the third goal. One goal and one assist to come back from injury is not a bad start for the youngster.
Vinicius Jr. – 6.5/10
Vinicius came in for Hazard in the 80th minute. He was full of energy and eager to take on the defense. However, he did not have much time for an impact.