Real Madrid Player Ratings as Los Blancos barely survive vs. Athletic Club

LW Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior was by far the best attacking player or midfielder on the pitch. He was the main reason why Real Madrid scored their lone goal, starting the move from the left-hand side and then making a key pass to Marco Asensio for the shot that eventually led to the goal. Everything good from Madrid’s attack came from Vini on the left-hand side, and he produced a heel-to-heel pass and a turn for the ages. Vinicius was consistent on both ends of the pitch, leading the way with five key passes and five tackles. Thibaut Courtois deserved the Man of the Match, but Vinicius was the most outstanding player in terms of individual quality throughout the 90. And to be frank, he deserved better from his teammates up front.

Rating: 8.5

CF Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema came up with the goods again. Just like against Sevilla over the weekend, Benzema scored a vital goal to the three points with a poacher’s finish, doing so at a point in the match in which things were getting testy for Real Madrid (not that this subsided against Bilbao, however). I still have a hard time giving Benzema a positive rating, though. He was good in the first half but faded badly in the second, going uncharacteristically quiet in all phases.

Rating: 6.0

RW Marco Asensio

Woeful. Marco Asensio forced a save from Unai Simon that led to the goal, but he was the fourth-most important player of the four players involved in that sequence. Asensio continues to be a non-factor for most of the match, and when he does pop up with a chance, he fails to take it. If he is not scoring goals with his sweet left foot, then he isn’t helping the team. And thus, he did not help the team against Athletic Club. Can you name a standout moment from him? I cannot. Another match in which he was the worst player on the pitch.

Rating: 4.0