Real Madrid Player Ratings vs. Alaves: David Alaba doesn’t need time to adjust

CM Fede Valverde

Fede Valverde was quiet for most of the game and sent a couple of shots way over the bar from range, but you could tell he was always intent on changing the match. And he ended up making an important play, gliding past a dumbfounded Alaves defender with a gorgeous touch that would have made Vinicius Junior or any other explosive winger proud. Valverde did not score the goal, but his move led to Karim’s second. Fede is a wrecking ball at times, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Rating: 6.5

DM Casemiro

Casemiro flies under the radar, because he does his job so well that you hardly notice him. And then when you look at the stats at the end of the match, he has four tackles, two interceptions, and three fouls drawn as one of the team’s most productive players. Case will frustrate with his ill-advised backheels and weird giveaways, and his covering could have been better in the first half. But like Luka Modric, Vazquez, and a few other Madrid players, he more than shook off the rust in the second half.

Rating: 7.5

CM Luka Modric

After making some uncharacteristic giveaways in the first half of the match, Luka Modric controlled the Mendizorroza as only he can in the second 45. The ageless wonder from Croatia made it all look easy, finishing the night with two tackles, two interceptions, two fouls drawn, two key passes, three dribbles completed, and one very fine assist. Modric fills up the stat sheet in meaningful ways and dictates the play. With Toni Kroos out, Modric’s massive second half made all the difference. Masterful stuff once more.

Rating: 8.0