Real Madrid players ratings as Los Blancos end their 15 matches unbeaten streak in La Liga with a disappointing defeat at home against Cadiz.
Real Madrid looked sluggish and out of ideas against Cadiz in their first match back from the international break. Cadiz was better at every aspect of the game in the first half, and Los Blancos did not recover from going behind within the first 20 minutes.
Zinedine Zidane continued to tinker with his starting eleven, this time opting to start Lucas Vazquez on the right and Isco in the midfield. Marcelo started in place of Ferland Mendy, while Nacho kept his spot, deputizing for the injured Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola. Here is how the players performed.
Manager
Zinedine Zidane – 4/10
The manager might get a pass if the team loses a match because of a mistake or lack of finishing. However, if the team produces the kind of lackluster performance that Los Blancos did against Cadiz, the manager should take most of the blame.
Zidane will get questioned for his starting eleven. His decision to start Lucas Vazquez ahead of fresh players like Rodrygo and Marco Asensio was debatable. Nevertheless, starting a 35-year-old Luka Modric who came back from playing two full matches during the international break ultimately set the tone for the team.
The Real Madrid manager did make four changes in half-time to fix his error, and the team improved in the second half. But, his team still looked sluggish and out of ideas in the final third.
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois – 7/10
Courtois is the one consistent player in Real Madrid this season. Los Blancos could have gone two or three goals down in the first half if not for the Belgian’s safe hands in between the sticks. He made three good saves.