Real Madrid defeated Deportivo Alaves 4-1 in their opening 2021-2022 LaLiga fixture at the Mendizorroza. They did not score in the first half, but they opened the floodgates in the second, with two goals from Karim Benzema and some stellar individual runs.
This was a highly encouraging first match under Carlo Ancelotti, who likely said something at the break that led to Real Madrid playing with much more confidence and incisiveness in the second half. Real will have tougher challenges, but they did very well to break down a tough Alaves defense on Matchday 1.
Here are the full player ratings from the 4-1 road victory.
GK Thibaut Courtois
He did not look 100 percent comfortable in goal, but he cannot be blamed for the yellow card and penalty. Thibaut Courtois had some good punches and came out to sweep the ball away when he was needed. Overall, an average performance from a great goalkeeper.
Rating: 6.0
LB David Alaba
David Alaba had a couple of nervy moments in transition defense, so he was not perfect. But he was very, very good on both ends of the pitch for Real Madrid. Whereas Ferland Mendy struggles to cross and Marcelo cannot play defense at all, Alaba can do everything at a high level. A breath of fresh air at left back, Alaba had some clever flicks and intelligent interceptions. He would pop up wherever he was needed and picked up a deserved assist with a great delivery for Vinicius Junior late in the match.
Rating: 7.5
CB Eder Militao
Eder Militao had one nice tackle late in the match to stop an Alaves counterattack, but his performance will be marred by a really poor touch back to Courtois that left his goalkeeper exposed. He caused the penalty, but we have to remember to take the mistakes in stride with such a talented young center back.
Rating: 5.0
CB Nacho Fernandez
For my money, the Man of the Match for Real Madrid. After a sensational 2020-2021 season amidst injuries at center back, Nacho led by example on Matchday 1 of the 2021-2022 LaLiga campaign. He made a handful of jaw-dropping tackles and even picked up a goal, scoring with aplomb after latching onto Luka Modric’s left-footed cross with the intent and clinical nature of an experienced striker.
Rating: 8.5
RB Lucas Vazquez
Although Lucas Vazquez suffered from some sloppiness, it was another serviceable performance from the Galician wide man. Per WhoScored.com, he had a pair of key passes and interceptions for his team. Vazquez kept play ticking and did well to help create the opening goal by making sure the ball slid onto the grass into the heart of the area so that either Eden Hazard or Karim Benzema could finish the job.
Rating: 6.5
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
LW Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard is learning to play a different style to prolong his career and remain effective, so while he is no longer carrying the ball and dribbling around defenders, he is still making his presence felt with clever touches as more of a linking player who provides width and then drifts inside when he can be that connective piece. Hazard had a few delightful flicks in this win, including one that led to Benzema’s opener. The Belgian had a team-high three key passes with a pair of dribbles completed and fouls drawn for Real Madrid. You have to consider his night a success.
CF Karim Benzema
What more superlatives can be said about the most important Real Madrid player? Karim Benzema will surely have more help this season, especially if Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale can carry on from their quality openers at Alaves. Yet it is abundantly clear that Benzema is the guy for Real Madrid. He scored twice and made so many great runs off the ball. He is on another level from even the other players in Madrid as an attacking star, and you just wonder what he could do with Kylian Mbappe by his side.
Rating: 8.0
RW Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale took players on, took on shots, and showed a great understanding with Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema by the time he made way for the young Rodrygo Goes in the second half. The Welshman looked reinvigorated against Milan and carried that positivity into the LaLiga opener against Alaves. Bale could be a real X-Factor for Real Madrid this season, and he does seem intent on playing to his fullest under Carlo Ancelotti. With time, we will see better end product from the experienced forward.
Rating: 6.5