Real Madrid: Player Ratings from 1-3 away win vs Celta Vigo

Real Madrid kept pace with league leaders Atletico Madrid following a 1-3 away win against Celta Vigo at Estadio de Balaidos. A brace from Karim Benzema in the first half put Los Blancos in a healthy position. However, Santi Mina pulled a goal back for Celta to make it a nervy second half for Zinedine Zidane. Real Madrid did well to hold onto the lead in the second half. Marco Asensio’s late goal secured the victory for the Royal Whites.

Here is how the Real Madrid players performed.

Thibaut Courtois – 7.5/10

Courtois made two good saves in the match. He was unfortunate not to keep a clean sheet because the defense went to sleep right before halftime.

Lucas Vazquez – 6/10

Vazquez’s hard work and determination started the move that led to the first goal. Other than that, he was largely ineffective for the number of touches he had in the game.

Raphael Varane – 7/10

Varane looked like a suspect in the last 15 minutes of the first half. However, he got his composure back in the second half and put on a solid display. He finished with a match-high seven clearances.

Nacho Fernandez – 7/10

Nacho has been a consistent performer for Real Madrid this season, and it was not different against Celta Vigo. The Spaniard was a dependable presence alongside Varane, especially in the second half. His tackle to deny Nolito late in the game inside the box was vital in the Merengues’ path to victory.

Ferland Mendy – 6.5/10

Mendy did well to win freekicks to accommodate Real Madrid out of pressure deep in his half. He also won four of his seven duels. However, his contributions in the final third were non-existent.

Casemiro – 7.5/10

Casemiro seemed labored in the first half but stepped up big to help Real Madrid keep their goal advantage in the second half with a powerful defensive performance. He completed six interceptions, won three tackles, made three clearances and two blocks during the 90 minutes, per Whoscored.com.

Luka Modric – 8/10

Modric was at the heart of every Real Madrid move. He helped Los Blancos get out of press on numerous occasions in the first half and carried his team forward. His xGbuildup of 1.38, per Understat.com, shows how influential he was in Real Madrid’s buildup.

Toni Kroos – 8.5/10

Toni Kroos’ magnificent vision found Benzema for the first goal, and his intelligent pressing setup the Frenchman again for the second goal. He looked like he was out of gas in the second half.

Fede Valverde – 5.5/10

Valverde had an underwhelming match. He played as a right-winger for the first 70 minutes and struggled to get involved. He only had 24 touches in the first half, the same as Thibaut Courtois. The Uruguayan look livelier after moving to his natural central midfield position.

Vinicius Junior – 7/10

Vinicius had another dynamic performance. He took on the defenders and got into progressive positions in the final third. He still needs to work on his finishing and weak foot.

Karim Benzema – 10/10

It was a 10 out of 10 performance from Karim Benzema. He took both his goals brilliantly and also provided an assist for Marco Asensio.

Substitutions

Marco Asensio – N/A

Next. Greatest UCL Knockout Moments of the Past Decade. dark

Asensio once again got on the scoresheet after coming in as a substitute. He played the last 20 minutes of the match.

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