Real Madrid: Player ratings from a 2-3 loss against Shakhtar Donetsk
Defenders
Ferland Mendy – 5.5/10
Mendy did not look as comfortable on the right-hand side as he does on the left. He got dribbled past a couple of times, but the former Lyon defender was the only defender who looked formidable.
Raphael Varane – 4/10
An ever so reliable Varane has failed to show up in a second straight Champions League match without his regular partner Sergio Ramos by his side. An awful performance by the Frenchman got capped by an own-goal.
Eder Militao – 4/10
Militao did not fare any better than his defensive partner. He got easily beaten on the first goal, and poor defensive performances continued throughout the first half. Militao improved in the second half, but he was nowhere near the level he showed against Cadiz when he replaced Ramos.
Marcelo – 4.5/10
Marcelo is turning out to be a frustrating figure amongst Madridistas. Once an offensive juggernaut from the left-back position, he no longer provides the same threat in attack.
More so, his defensive contribution is even less than it used to be. He was often out of position and failed to track his markers numerous times.
Midfielders
Casemiro – 5/10
Casemiro has struggled to find consistency this season. He looked like he was slowly getting back to his best when he came on in the second half against Cadiz. However, against Shakhtar, the Brazillian got overrun and often found himself chasing his opponents.
Fede Valverde – 6.5/10
Valverde was the only midfielder in the first half who had a semblance of a functioning midfielder. He did well in his box-to-box role, but ultimately he was not enough to save Real Madrid’s dreadful first-half display.
The Uruguayan also thought he had given Los Blancos an injury-time equalizer with a brilliant strike, but the goal got ruled out for offside.
Luka Modric – 6.5/10
Luka Modric struggled to gain control of the game as it passed by him in the first half. He came out with intensity and purpose in the second half. The former Balon D’or winner helped Real Madrid pile pressure on Shakhtar and scored a thunderous goal. It was not enough to usher a full comeback.