Real Madrid defeated Huesca 2-1 on La Liga’s Matchday 22, coming from behind to secure all three points against the league’s last-placed side. They were led by center back Raphael Varane, who scored a brace and stepped up yet again with captain Sergio Ramos out.
Varane was absolutely among the top performers for Los Blancos this weekend, but who else joined him in the narrow victory over Huesca?
CB Raphael Varane
We begin with the headliner Varane, as he was magnificent on Saturday afternoon – and not just as a goal-scorer. Yes, the goals were vital in the victory, as Varane poached home two for the visitors. But Varane’s defending was also important to Real snagging the three points.
When Ramos is out, Varane is often the one man holding things together, and he has to be even more active than usual when Alvaro Odriozola starts at right back. Odriozola was poor again, but Varane was magnificent again.
The French center back cleaned up nicely with a whopping six clearances, and he did not have to make a single tackle. Paolo Maldini once said that if he has to make a tackle, he’s already made a mistake. It’s safe to say that Varane did not put a foot wrong in this one, as he could do nothing about the wonderstrike from rising star Javi Galan.
CM Toni Kroos
Raphael Varane was the hero for Real Madrid at Huesca, but he might not even have been the best player on the pitch for Los Blancos. That honor could be given to midfielder Toni Kroos, who is now La Liga’s leader in key passes per game and passing accuracy, per WhoScored.com.
Kroos was by far Real’s creative leader in this match with six key passes, as the team would have been dead in the water without his creation and ball retention. Huesca simply could not get the ball off of the German international, who has been in fine form all season long.
In total, Kroos completed 96 percent of his team-high 99 passes, including 12 of 13 accurate long balls and four of six accurate crosses. Simply sublime.
DM Casemiro
Another midfielder joins him on this list. Casemiro does not have half of Kroos’ ability on the ball, but he more than makes up for it by defending his socks off for Los Merengues. Without Casemiro in the defensive midfield, Real are in trouble, as we have seen multiple times this season. Even though most Madridistas give Casemiro high praise, it seems as if there are still some football fans who do not give the man his due.
Case recorded four tackles and five interceptions in this victory over Huesca, who attacked aggressively and with great panache. Without Casemiro’s steely defending and intelligent positioning, Real Madrid would have given up several goals on this day. He chipped in the attack, too, with two key passes, including a header that enabled Varane to win the match.
LW Vinicius Junior
Marco Asensio had some bright moments, but Vinicius Junior is the only forward who truly belongs on this shortlist. Vinicius came into Matchday 22 under some pressure, because Madridistas have been expecting a lot more from the player in his third season with the club since joining from Flamengo. On top of that, Eden Hazard is out for several weeks, so Vini has been expected to step up in his place.
That’s exactly what the 20-year-old did on Saturday afternoon. He drew four fouls and completed four dribbles before being substituted in the final 15 minutes, having done his job to create chances with his dribbling. Vinicius was much more confident and efficient on the ball in previous weeks. His passing could still use work, but the traits we saw in the second half of 2019-2020 were on full display in this win.
CM Luka Modric
Just like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric has been consistently world-class for Real Madrid in the 2020-2021 season and should also find himself on the shortlist of the world’s best midfielders. Modric has built a compelling case to be ahead of Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne.
As with Kroos, too, Modric’s best work is often wasted by the forwards. He had a couple of sick flicks that could have led to assists, but it was not to be for Karim Benzema and Real’s up-and-down front line.
Still, Modric played well, distinguishing himself with three dribbles completed and two tackles. We have honestly seen more sterling performances from the Croatian star, but this was still a solid display from the 35-year-old.