Real Madrid: Player Ratings from the 0-1 win against Espanyol

Forwards

Eden Hazard – 6.5/10

Eden Hazard was not able to settle down as Espanyol players constantly kept fouling him. He got brought down a total of four times in the 60 minutes he was on the pitch.

While there were some moments of brilliance from the Belgian, he was never really allowed to find his rhythm. He still managed to complete two dribbles and provide one key pass.

Karim Benzema – 7.5/10

There is a reason why all these years later, Karim Benzema is still Real Madrid’s starting No.9. Many fans slander Benzema for his lack of scoring and ridicule his performances if he fails to make the scoresheet. Some of the criticism is warranted, but most of them lack perspective. The Frenchman brings so much more to the team than just goals.

His ability to read plays and create chances are elite. Benzema puts in impressive performances game in and game out even when he is not scoring. The match against Espanyol was an example of how important the French forward is to Zidane’s team.

His movement in the final third, his linkup plays, and his vision to see opportunities for his teammates is what made him indispensable. The enchanting backheel pass to set up Casemiro for the Real Madrid’s goal shows how good Benzema truly is. He also had two key passes in the match.

Substitutes

Vinicius Junior – 6/10

Vinicius Jr. came in for Eden Hazard around the 60th minute. Espanyol organized blocks meant Vinicius did not get any space to take on his marker. That does not mean he did not try, but he was unable to complete any dribbles. It was not his best outing in the white shirt.

Rodrygo – 6.5/10

Rodrygo came in at the same time as Vinicius replacing Isco. The young Brazillian showed a lot of grit and chased down every single ball. However, he was not as effective in the final third. He completed only one dribble in the 30 minutes he was on the pitch.