Real Madrid got held to a 0 – 0 draw at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano by Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis. Los Blancos have now failed to win against Betis at home for a fourth straight year. Both the teams ended the match with xG of under 1.0, per Understat.com, as they struggled to create clear opportunities to take the lead.
Here is how the Real Madrid players performed.
Thibaut Courtois – 7.5/10
Thibaut Courtois saved Real Madrid from defeat when he made a fantastic save in a one-on-one against Borja Iglesias. It was another deserved clean sheet for the Belgian.
Dani Carvajal – 7/10
It was good to see Dani Carvajal back in the starting eleven. He built up his game fitness and put on a commendable defensive display.
Eder Militao – 8/10
Militao continued to raise his stock with another brilliant performance in the back. His last-ditch interception to deny Iglesias a shot at goal helped Real Madrid to secure a clean sheet. The former Porto defender is also looking sharper with his distributions, completed seven of eight long balls.
Raphael Varane – 8/10
Varane returned to the starting eleven and played like he did not miss a beat. The French World Cup winner won four aerial duels and completed four clearances, per Whoscored.com.
Nacho Fernandez – 6.5/10
Nacho played as a left-back against Betis after a string of games as a center-back. He was a formidable defensive presence but did not offer much in the attacking third.
Casemiro – 6.5/10
Casemiro did not have his best game. The Real Madrid midfielder’s passing was below par, and he lost possession 19 times. He still managed to win seven duels, three tackles and create two key passes.
Luka Modric – 6/10
Modric looked below his physical best. He looked exhausted, and it was apparent with some of his passing.
Isco – 6/10
Isco did well to help Real Madrid circulate the ball. He spread the ball around well and completed 97 percent of his passes. However, the Spaniard created very little in terms of goal-scoring opportunities.
Rodrygo Goes – 4.5/10
Rodrygo had a couple of exciting moments, but his overall game was disappointing.
Marco Asensio – 4.5/10
Asensio also had several flashes of brilliance, but he failed to make a major impact.
Karim Benzema – 6.5/10
Benzema looked unplayable in the first half with his quick feet, and his off-the-ball movements were impressive. However, he was often left isolated in the attack, and he did not have enough support from the wingers.
Substitutions
Vinicius Junior – 6/10
Vinicius added a sense of urgency and a line-breaking threat to Real Madrid’s attack. He made a couple of brilliant runs and got into good positions, but his decision-making on the final ball disappointed.
Marcelo – 5/10
Marcelo replaced Isco to add some spark to the attack. The Brazillian left-back failed to convert a chance created by Odriozola.
Alvaro Odriozola – 6.5/10
Odriozola came in for Carvajal and proved himself to be a strong offensive presence. He created two goal-scoring opportunities.
Antonio Blanco – N/A
Blanco replaced Modric and played the last 15 minutes of the match.
Eden Hazard – N/A
Hazard got some minutes under his belt after a long injury. He looked good on the ball and played some excellent one-twos.