Real Madrid Player Ratings as Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema disappoint vs. Cadiz

CM Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos was magnificent even in defeat, just like the Osasuna match. The 31-year-old led the team with 128 pass attempts, completing a tick over 96 percent of them. More impressively, he had nine key passes and deserved to come away from the match with an assist. Had the front three been more clinical and economical, Kroos would have done so. He is having a splendid season, and you just wonder what his numbers would look like with someone of Kylian Mbappe’s caliber and skill-set in the XI.

Rating: 8.5

DM Casemiro

The best chances of the match, though, were shockingly created by balls over the top into the penalty box from Casemiro. That includes one play in which Karim Benzema was offsides. But Casemiro did have some blemishes, such as a few ill-advised shooting attempts and a terrible challenge. Case will thus be suspended for the final match of 2021 against Athletic Club, though he was lucky the suspension did not extend longer due to a straight red. That said, he had a good game. Casemiro had two tackles, two interceptions, and three key passes.

Rating: 7.0

CM Fede Valverde

Fede Valverde was sacrificed for Luka Jovic in the second half as Carlo Ancelotti desperately searched for a goal that would never come. Despite the substitution out of the match, Fede did not have a bad match. He worked hard to recover the ball and create, finishing with three key passes and two tackles. However, I would like to see Valverde’s end product improve. His overall attacking influence just is not at the level that is needed from a Real Madrid midfielder. Fede is good, but he still needs to push himself to truly become great at this club.

Rating: 6.5