Real Madrid: Player Ratings For The Month Of September
By Parshva Shah
Real Madrid Defenders
Sergio Ramos
Appearances – 3
Starts – 3
Minutes played – 270
Clean sheets – 2
Goals/Assists – 1/0
Rating – 8/10
El Capi continued from where he left off last season, demonstrating the sheer quality at the heart of the defence and being his usual self. At 34, he still continues to show why he is widely regarded as one of the best in his position, and at this rate, there seems to be no sign of decline.
Real Madrid did concede twice against Real Betis, and to be honest, Ramos could have done better in one of those goals. However, he slotted a penalty to somewhat compensate for his lack of astuteness in that game. Real would be hoping that he continues in the same vein as an all-important El Clasico looms large at the end of October.
Raphaël Varane
Appearances – 3
Starts – 3
Minutes played – 270
Clean sheets – 2
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 8.5/10
After gifting two goals to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg, the French defender has returned to his best form, and he will only improve from here on. He was solid defensively, playing all the minutes in all the three games. His form will be crucial during the first few games after the international break.
Nacho
Appearances – 0
Starts – 0
Minutes played – 0
Clean sheets – N/A
Goals/Assists – N/A
Rating – N/A
Due to the presence of every other defender in the squad barring Éder Militão, Nacho couldn’t get an opportunity to earn some minutes until Real’s fourth match, against Levante, where he played the full 90 minutes as a right-back due to the unavailability of both Dani Carvajal and
Álvaro Odriozola.
Since Carvajal will miss another month or two, and with no news on Odriozola’s recovery, Nacho will be the right-back for the month of October.
Éder Militão
Appearances – 0
Starts – 0
Minutes played – 0
Clean sheets – N/A
Goals/Assists – N/A
Rating – N/A
Éder Militão is still training indoors, so it’s unclear when he will be returning. But he is likely to be fit in a few weeks’ time.
Dani Carvajal
Appearances – 3
Starts – 2
Minutes played – 213
Clean sheets – 2
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 6.5/10
Starting the first two games against Real Sociedad and Real Betis, Dani Carvajal made a substitute appearance off the bench against Real Valladolid, replacing Álvaro Odriozola in the 57th minute. He was his usual self while defending, while he was decent going forward. However, he is out due to an injury and will miss the next 7-8 weeks.
Álvaro Odriozola
Appearances – 1
Starts – 1
Minutes played – 57
Clean sheets – 1
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 6.5/10
The only appearance he made in September – and this season – came at home against Real Valladolid. He played just 57 minutes before being substituted by Dani Carvajal. Although he was poor at tracking back, he was still tenacious and quick to return to the defensive third. He defended well and looked fresh in the attack.
Ferland Mendy
Appearances – 2
Starts – 2
Minutes played – 180
Clean sheets – 1
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 7.5/10
Ferland Mendy starts the season as the preferred left-back over legend Marcelo, and he has more than justified his current status as the team’s starting left-back. He has definitely improved when it comes to attacking, and his defensive qualities have never been in question, have they?
His outings against Real Sociedad and Real Betis were further indication that he is becoming one of the best left-backs in the world, and he heads into the month of October as the best full-back in the team.
Marcelo
Appearances – 1
Starts – 1
Minutes played – 90
Clean sheets – 1
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 6/10
The Brazilian could only manage a single appearance, as a starter, against Real Valladolid, playing the full 90 minutes. Given Ferland Mendy’s emergence as an undroppable left-back, Marcelo has seen his minutes being reduced significantly. However, he was decent in defence and didn’t have much to do going forward. It’s sad to see such a decline in the legend.