Real Madrid: Player Ratings from a 1-2 home defeat against Levante

Ten men Real Madrid drop three points at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano against the visiting Levante. Eder Militao got sent-off for denying Levante a goal-scoring opportunity within nine minutes of the game, leaving Los Blancos to play with ten men for over 80 minutes. Marco Asensio gave Real Madrid the lead after Toni Kroos found his run with an awe-inspiring pass. However, goals from Jorge Morales and Roger Marti gave Levante all three points.

Here is how Real Madrid players performed.

Thibaut Courtois – 8/10

Courtois looked a bit nervy early in the match but made vital saves to keep Real Madrid in the game. He made a total of six saves including, denying Roger Marti from the penalty spot. However, his heroics were not enough to keep Los Blancos from dropping three points on the night.

Alvaro Odriozola – 5.5/10

Odriozola got his opportunity in La Liga, but it was not a great audition to stake his claim in the starting eleven. He worked hard and won three tackles and two clearances. However, his positioning was questionable for Jorge Morales’ goal.

Eder Militao – 3/10

Militao lasted nine minutes on the pitch. He got sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

Raphael Varane – 6/10

Raphael Varane tried to keep the back-line together and functioning. However, he still lacks the organizational quality of someone like Sergio Ramos.

Ferland Mendy – 5/10

Ferland Mendy’s performance ends with the same story every game. He is positional good at the back and defends well. However, his contribution in the final third is a level below other elite fullbacks.

Casemiro – 7/10

Casemiro had to play as a makeshift center back for the majority of the match. He performed well under the circumstances as he won seven tackles.

Luka Modric – 7/10

Modric had a game-high 82 touches. He worked tirelessly to compensate for Real Madrid playing with ten men.

The Croatian completed four dribbles and had two key passes, per Whoscored.com. He also won two tackles and completed two clearances to contribute defensively.

Toni Kroos – 8/10

Toni Kroos was the architect for Asensio’s goal as he played a sublime vertical pass with the outside of his boot. His passing was on point as usual and helped Real Madrid stay in the match until Levante’s second goal.

He should have gotten another assist when he set Benzema up in the penalty box, but the Frenchman miscued his effort. Kroos completed 95 percent of his pass, had three key passes, and completed three dribbles.

Marco Asensio – 7/10

Asensio was the only player in the first half to provide any danger in the final third. He made a fantastic run to latch on to Kroos’s pass and made no mistake with the finish. His influence died down in the second half.

Eden Hazard – 4/10

Hazard had a quiet performance. Real Madrid went down to 10 men early on, and the Belgian had to work more defensively. However, he failed to close down Miramon in the lead up to Levante’s first goal.

Karim Benzema – 4/10

It was a disappointing showing from Benzema. He did not get involved much in the game, and Real Madrid needed him to step up. The Frenchman also fluffed a big chance in the second half.

Substitution

Vinicius Junior – 4/10

Vinicius was on the pitch for 31 minutes, but he only attempted a total of four passes. He tried a couple of good runs but failed to complete a single dribble. He also, unfortunately, gave away a penalty.

Sergio Arribas – N/A

The Castilla player got his La Liga debut. He did not get much time to influence the game.

Mariano Diaz – N/A

Mariano replaced Benzema in the 81st minute. He did not have much involvement.