Real Madrid goes clear on top of the table following a vital 0-1 away win against RCD Espanyol.
Real Madrid continued their quest for the 34th La Liga title with a deserved away victory against Espanyol. The Catalan side did not make it easy for the Royal Whites. Their newest manager Refute set the team up in an organized 4-4-2 formation, and the players kept things tight and compact.
The Merengues found it challenging to break Espanyol’s low block for the majority of the game. It took a glorious backheel from Karim Benzema to assist Casemiro for Los Blancos’ only goal of the match.
Zinedine Zidane decided to start Isco for the first time since La Liga resumed. He also put Toni Kroos back in the starting eleven along with Marcelo. Here is how the players performed.
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois – 7.5/10
Thibaut Courtois had another great game. He has been very consistent with his performances since the return of La Liga. He looks confident when making saves and coming out to claim the ball. The Belgian goalkeeper also keeps improving with the ball on his feet.
While Courtois did not have to make big saves in the game, he was still very reliable and kept yet another clean sheet. Los Blancos No.1 made five saves in the day to help himself to another clean sheet. He is also leading the Zamora trophy race by conceding only 18 goals in 29 games this season.
Defenders
Dani Carvajal – 6.5/10
Dani Carvajal did not have the best of halves in the first 45 minutes. He often got dragged out of position, and he did not offer much going forward. However, he did have a goal-saving block very early in the match.
His second half was much better as Real Madrid started switching the play at ease. Carvajal got more involved and was a constant outlet on the right. His crossing this season lacks the efficiency he possessed during the 2016/17 season. He attempted three crosses in the game and completed none.
Sergio Ramos – 6.5/10
Sergio Ramos is a physical specimen, but age has caught up to his pace. He continues to struggle with attackers who are agile and fast. Such was the story of his duels with Wu Lie. The Chinese international did not completely get the better of the Royal White’s captain but gave him plenty of trouble.
However, Ramos showed his experience throughout the game by getting into sound defensive positions to cut of passing lanes and prevent faster and agile players go past him. The Spain National Team captain was also involved in Real Madrid’s first and winning goal when he won the ball on the edge of the box.
Raphael Varane – 6.5/10
Raphael Varane had a relatively quiet game at the back. He did not have much to deal with and kept things simple. He won three aerial duels, had one interception, and one clearance in the 90 minutes.
Marcelo – 7/10
Marcelo was relentless against Espanyol. He gave his best performance since the break. While the Brazillian got caught out of position a couple of times, he still tracked back more than Madridistas are used to seeing him.
The Merengues left-back had three successful tackle, three interceptions, and one clearance in the match. In attack, Marcelo made the first goal happen with his crossfield ball to Ramos.
Midfielders
Casemiro – 8.5/10
Casemiro had one of his best offensive games of the season. The Brazillian has made a name for himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. However, the Royal Whites No.14 gave a man of the match performance with his offensive contribution.
He was involved in three attacking plays that led to goal-scoring opportunities in the first 15 minutes. He also displayed improved passing range by finding Isco with a beauty of a pass. Unfortunately, the little Magician was unable to bring the ball down.
Casemiro finally found his name on the scoresheet after he put the ball in the back of the net following a magical backheel from Karim Benzema.
Moreover, the Brazillian defensive midfielder also had a successful defensive performance. Casemiro completed five aerial duels and three interceptions in the match.
Toni Kroos – 7/10
Toni Kroos continues to put up wild numbers in the midfield. As Kroos got in his rhythm, Los Blancos started playing better. His ability to seamlessly switch plays and control the tempo of the game gives the Merengues an unmatched advantage.
The German passing machine completed 95 of his passes at a striking 94% accuracy. He also completed 16 long balls and had two key passes.
Fede Valverde – 6.5/10
Fede Valverde brings an energy to the Real Madrid midfield that has been missing since the Luka Modric of the 2016/17 season. He has been a revelation this season and continues to be an excellent box to box midfielder for the Royal Whites.
He was not the most explosive player against Espanyol, but he put in a decent shift to help Los Blancos to victory.
Isco – 6.5/10
Isco was playing his second game back from injury, and he is slowly getting back in game shape. It was not his best performance, but he got better as the game went on.
He completed one dribble and one fabulous ball to Benzema for one key pass.
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.