Real Madrid: Player Ratings from the 3-2 win against Inter Milan

Real Madrid keeps their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 after a much-needed win 3-2 at home against Inter Milan.

Real Madrid won 3-2 against Inter Milan at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano with goals from Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, and Rodrygo.

Zinedine Zidane started his strongest team with the players available with Ferland Mendy, Raphael Varane, and Toni Kroos returning to the first eleven.

Here is how the Real Madrid players performed.

Manager

Zinedine Zidane – 7/10

Zidane put on his strongest eleven with the players he had available. His decision worked well as Real Madrid did well in the first half and went into the break with a 2-1 lead. He also should get the credit for his substitutions as two of them combined to score the winner for Los Blancos.

Players

Thibaut Courtois – 7/10

Courtois put on a decent shift once again. He made a vital save early in the game to deny Lautaro Martinez. He was not at fault for either of Inter Milan’s goals.

Lucas Vazquez – 6.5/10

Lucas Vazquez had played well in the first half. He looked like a potent threat in the final third and covered his spaces well in the back. He also had three key passes in the 90 minutes.
In the second half, Vazquez struggled as Real Madrid lost control in the midfield, and Inter Milan attacked in the break.

Raphael Varane – 7/10

Varane looked good for the most part. He did let Lautaro Martinez get ahead of him for Inter’s first goal. Other than that, he completed six interceptions and two clearances.

Sergio Ramos – 7.5/10

The captain scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid, and he was excellent with this distribution. Ramos also won three aerial duels, had two interceptions and two clearances. The Spanish international did make a mistake on Inter’s second goal.

Ferland Mendy – 7/10

Mendy dusted off an underwhelming performance against Borussia Monchengladbach and put on a strong showing against Inter. The former Lyon player had five clearances and completed three dribbles.

Casemiro – 4/10

Casemiro was Real Madrid’s worst player on the pitch. He has struggled to play at his best all season, and against Inter Milan, he played well below his capabilities. Casemiro was a liability on the ball while his defensive output was inadequate. His performances lately will be a worrying sign for Zidane.

Fede Valverde – 7.5/10

Fede Valverde’s elite two-way presence has been indispensable for Real Madrid. He continues to put on energetic performances game in and game out. The young Uruguayan complete five interceptions and won two tackles.

Toni Kroos – 6.5/10

It was a game of two halves for Toni Kroos. The German midfielder controlled the game in the first half, and Real Madrid benefitted from it, taking a 2-1 lead at half-time. In the second half, Kroos struggled to find the same control as he got tired and got replaced in the 78th minute.

Marco Asensio – 5.5/10

It was a quiet game from Marco Asensio. He did not get as involved in the game. The Spaniard had a fantastic opportunity in the first half, but his shot got brilliantly saved by Handanovic.

Eden Hazard – 6.5/10

Eden Hazard had a good first half. He had a couple of nice touches and almost got an assist, but Asensio’s effort got saved by Handanovic. Hazard completed three dribbles before being substituted in the 63rd minute for precaution.

Karim Benzema – 6.5/10

Benzema scored the opener for Real Madrid after latching onto Achraf Hakimi’s misplaced pass. Other than that, the French forward had a disappointing game. He had numerous bad decisions in the final third, and he also missed a tap-in goal in the second half.

Substitutes

Vinicius Junior – 7/10

Vinicius replaced Hazard in the 64th minute and looked electrifying. He was not afraid to take the ball and run with it. The Brazillian assisted Rodrygo for the winner.

Rodrygo – 7.5/10

Rodrygo was what Asensio could not be in this game. The Brazillian winger got involved and made some great movements. He also scored the winner with a fantastic finish.

Luka Modric – N/A

Zidane may have found the perfect role as the super-sub for Luka Modric. The Croatian restored Real Madrid’s control to the game. But he did not spend enough time in the pitch to earn a rating.