Real Madrid: Player Ratings from loss against Manchester City in the UCL

Real Madrid crash out of the UEFA Champions League after a 4-2 aggregate loss against Manchester City.

Real Madrid exit the UEFA Champions League following one of their worst displays of the season against Manchester City. Los Blancos lost 2-1 on the day with goals from Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus either side of the half. Karim Benzema scored the Merengue’s only goal of the game, but it was not enough on the day to overturn the 4-2 aggregate deficit. Pep Guardiola got his tactics spot on while Zinedine Zidane did not make the right changes at the right time.

Zinedine Zidane started the match with a 4-3-3 formation as Eden Hazard, and Rodrygo Goes flanked Benzema in the attack. The midfield trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos got the nod to start the match. Eder Militao got the start for the suspended Sergio Ramos. Here is how the players performed.

Goalkeepers

Thibaut Courtois – 6.5/10

Thibaut Courtois made several saves and looked comfortable with aerial balls in his area. He did not look entirely convincing playing with his feet, and it showed in his decision making as well.

While the Belgian goalkeeper could have cleared the ball in the first goal early, it is unfair to fault him for either of the goals Los Blancos conceded. He made a total of fives saves in the game.

Defenders

Dani Carvajal – 5/10

Dani Carvajal worked hard, but he was not able to contain the threat provided by Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling. He struggled defensively but also lacked the attacking quality on the day.

He got replaced in the 83rd minute in favor of Lucas Vazquez as Los Blancos pushed to get back in the game.

Raphael Varane – 2/10

Raphael Varane is one of the best defenders in world football. However, the French Worldcup winner had his worst game of this career against the team from Manchester.

Varane looked defensively shaky and unsettled for the majority of the match. He also made two disastrous errors that directly led to both of Manchester City’s goals.

Eder Militao – 7/10

Eder Militao had a big test ahead of him as he filled in for Sergio Ramos. While the Brazilian was unable to match the leadership qualities that Los Blancos captain brings to the team, he managed to perform dutifully and showed his qualities despite some shakiness throughout the game.

Militao had five blocks, four tackles, four clearances, and two interceptions in the match.

Ferland Mendy – 5.5/10

Ferland Mendy did not have a bad defensive performance, but it was not the usual locked and loaded performance that we are accustomed to seeing from the former Lyon man.

The French defender also did not offer much going forward and did not link up much with Hazard.

Midfielders

Casemiro – 4/10

Last time Casemiro had as bad of a game was also against Manchester City in the first leg. The Brazilian struggled to navigate past City’s press and got forced into multiple giveaways in the middle of the park. He lacked composure and seemed almost overwhelmed.

The Merengue’s defensive midfielder did have a couple of good recoveries and one tackle, but not enough to overshadow his inferior performance overall.

Luka Modric – 5.5/10

Luka Modric had some fantastic performances post-pandemic break, and he was in a hot run of form. However, the former Balon D’or winner was unable to replicate similar performance against Manchester City.

Modric struggled to keep pace with the City’s midfield, and the blue side of Manchester bypassed Real Madrid’s midfield with ease. Neither Modric’s nor his midfield partner Toni Kroos managed to control the game.

Toni Kroos – 5/10

Kroos, like his teammates, underperformed at the biggest stage of world football. The Royal Whites play well when the German midfielder is at the top of his game, dictating the tempo and controlling the midfield.

Unfortunately for Los Blancos, Kroos did not perform at his best. He failed to control the midfield and often got bypassed by the Pep’s players. Kroos, as usual, had an excellent passing accuracy of 97 percent but failed to impose himself against their English rivals.

Forwards

Rodrygo – 7/10

Rodrygo was a bright spot on otherwise dull Real Madrid performance. He made some brilliant attacking runs and also dribbled at defenders.

The young Brazilians splendid link-up play with Carvajal and Benzema led to Los Blancos’ only goal of the match.

Benzema – 7.5/10

Karim Benzema is still the only player who can score goals for Real Madrid. He had a decent game and linked up well with Rodrygo in the first half.

However, as Manchester City overran the Merengue’s midfield, the French forward drifted away from the match. He did not get many services, and he had to drop deep to find himself on the ball. Benzema scored the only goal of the game for Los Blancos.

Eden Hazard – 4.5/10

Eden Hazard’s frustrating season came to a disappointing end. It was a forgetful first season for the Belgian and would be looking to put all the injury behind him next season.

Substitutes

Marco Asensio – 5/10

Marco Asensio entered the match with Real Madrid chasing the tie. The Spanish international barely got into the game and did not affect the outcome at all.

Fede Valverde – N/A

Came in with only six minutes left on the clock and Los Blancos chasing the result. He did not have much time to make any impact.

Three Takeaways from Real Madrid's loss to Manchester City. dark. Next

Luka Jovic – N/A

Similar to Valverde, Luka Jovic got brought into the fray a little too late in the game. Real Madrid needed to score goals and could have used him much earlier in the match.

Lucas Vazquez – N/A

Same as the above two. Lucas Vazquez got brought on for Dani Carvajal but did not have any time to make a difference.

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Real Madrid: Player Ratings from the 2-1 loss against Manchester City in the Champions League

By Prasanna Baidya | Aug 8, 2020