Real Madrid Player Ratings from a stalemate vs. Villarreal
RB Fede Valverde
I don’t understand Ancelotti’s obsession to play Fede without realising that he may burn out sooner than expected. He’s featured in every single game so far, and has played the full 90′ in most of those games. This was the perfect opportunity to give him some rest. However, Ancelotti thought it was best to play him at a position he’s only played twice before in his career, and against an opposition that can hurt you if you make mistakes.
That’s what happens, with the exception that Fede didn’t really pay for the mistakes. He made a bunch of them, but I don’t blame him fully. It wasn’t a good performance from the Uruguayan. He wasn’t able to provide Rodrygo with overloads in the first half which limited the production of both players. He would’ve been much better off resting, while Camavinga took up a place in midfield, Nacho played as a right-back and Miguel started as left-back. But hey, I’m just a writer.
Hopefully, Valverde gets some rest during the week. He needs it.
Rating: 5/10
CB Eder Militao
One of Real Madrid’s better players. Was very tidy in possession, covered for his fellow defenders really well, and had a few great interceptions. Also had an attempt at goal in the second half, although it didn’t go in, obviously. Not much else to say about his performance, because honestly, it was just good. Nothing incredible, nothing laughably bad, nothing even average. Just good. He did what he had to do.
Rating: 7/10
CB David Alaba
Alaba had an overall decent game, he did quite well in dealing with the danger. I think that if Gerard Moreno was playing against them, that would’ve been the real test for Alaba as a centre-back, not just in this game, but in this season so far. That didn’t happen, (in retrospect, I;m glad it didn’t). But yes, I’m loving Alaba at centre-back.
One thing I’m enjoying the most about him is his long-range passing, as I mentioned in the last game’s player ratings. My God, this guy can pass the ball with ease. There were so many lobbed through balls from Alaba to Vinicius that posed a lot of danger for Villarreal. As I mentioned, he was fine defensively as well. A couple of interceptions, clearances and a couple of tackles to wrap up his stat-sheet. More of the same, please.
Rating: 7.5/10
LB Nacho Fernandez
Not to be rude, but does Ancelotti know that he actually has a real left-back at his disposal? For some reason, Ancelotti just doesn’t seem to trust Miguel. And I don’t think you can say that Miguel needed some rest because he played a couple of games, after reading what you read about Fede Valverde.
Nacho didn’t have a good game at all. He’s just not a great makeshift left-back. He does a better job on the other side of the defense. This wasn’t it. He had a couple of decent crosses into the box late in the game, and also a very crucial tackle to keep Villarreal from scoring, that gives him bonus points. But that’s really it. He really struggles in providing width to Real Madrid on the left side, neither does he help Vinicius in any way except for defensive coverage, another thing he wasn’t the best at today. Forgettable night for the Spaniard.
Rating: 5/10