Real Madrid take in some much-needed rest during the Christmas break as they find themselves Winter Champions of La Liga with eight points separating them second-placed Sevilla and 17 points between them and current holders Atletico Madrid although both of them have a game-in-hand. In addition, the team was able to grab first place in their UEFA Champions League group and await their match in February which will take place against Paris Saint-Germain.
With 25 games played so far (19 in the league and 6 in the UEFA Champions League), Carlo Ancelotti has had to use the majority of his squad over the course of the season so far and even though some were used a lot more than others, most players were given their chance to shine. How did they do? What was their strong point and how could they improve?
The grading was done for every player but an actual letter grade was given to players who have completed at least 360 minutes – which is the equivalent of four full matches.
Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois – A+
It’s quite simple: If Thibaut Courtois wasn’t there to make the decisive saves that only he can, then Real Madrid wouldn’t be top of the table. As the season wore on, it seemed as though the Belgian was given an impossible save at least once a game, and more often than not, it was him who came out victorious.
Andriy Lunin – N/A
With no appearances so far during this season, Andriy Lunin cannot be graded. However, his time will come presumably during the Copa del Rey and he will need to show that he has what it takes to be the second choice goalkeeper at Real Madrid.
Eder Militao – B+
It’s a little weird to be giving Eder Militao a B+ when you consider how well he has been doing over the past couple months. That being said, his season didn’t start off too strongly. The Brazilian needed some time to adjust and get used to not only being a starter in the team but also having a new partner alongside him in David Alaba. Needless to say, Militao has only improved and has proven to be someone worthy of a starting spot in the center of defense.
David Alaba – A
After13 years at Bayern Munich, David Alaba decided to go for a new challenge and did so at Real Madrid. Even though he has been doing well in Germany, no one could really predict how things would go for the Austrian when he makes such a big change but it has gone perfectly. Alaba was quickly able to get along with the team and show his authority in defense as he emerged as the leader of the backline. Not only has he done well, but he has proven himself to be a massive asset to the squad and Ancelotti’s starting lineup. Whether he was played in the center or as a full-back, Alaba has always come out with great performances.
Nacho Fernandez – B
As always, Nacho Fernandez is more than ready to step up. The Spanish defender might have been frustrated to not be picked as a starter in the center of defense after both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane left the team but he has always been nothing but professional. He has continued to impress whenever he has been called upon.
Jesus Vallejo – N/A
With only seven minutes played this season, Jesus Vallejo cannot be graded.
Dani Carvajal – B
Through no fault of his own, Dani Carvajal’s biggest problem has always been injuries and this season is no different. The right-back is one of the best in the world but when he can’t always be counted on and has had many injuries, it’s difficult to have consistency. However, it’s worth mentioning that whenever he has played, he has usually done extremely well.
Ferland Mendy – B-
After finally returning from injury, Ferland Mendy has been the undisputed starter at left-back. Even though he is the best defender out of anyone else can could be played in his position, he lacks something when going forward and that’s the main reason behind a lower grade. Mendy is able to go forward quickly and effectively most of the time but the final touch has been lacking severely.
Marcelo – N/A
With only 87 minutes played so far during the season, Real Madrid captain Marcelo cannot be graded. Expect to see him a little more in the second half of the season though especially as we enter what could be the final weeks and months of his legendary time at the club.
Carlos Casemiro – C
Carlos Casemiro has not had a great time so far in the team but has continued to be an integral part of Ancelotti’s setup and understandably so. He will need to work a little more on his distribution of the ball and as usual, trying to avoid being cautioned with cards.
Toni Kroos – A
Toni Kroos is a machine. The German midfielder has continued to show his class on the pitch and his understanding of the game. He has been and still is one of the main pieces of this team alongside the legendary Luka Modric
Luka Modric – A+
No words would be enough to describe just how good Luka Modric is. At 36-years-old, he has continued reaching new heights and has been a player that consistently proves he deserves to continue playing at the highest level. He has just come out of playing in 18 games for the club, and it does not look like he is planning to slow down anytime soon.
Eduardo Camavinga – B
The latest signing at the club arrives after a surprise last-minute deal for the Frenchman saw him join the Spanish giants with many people already having an eye on him for years before that. Eduardo Camavinga has not disappointed in his appearances so far and even though many would love to see more of him, it’s difficult at the moment given his age and the fact that he’s competing with the best midfield trio in Europe.
Federico Valverde – B-
Injury problems have made Federico Valverde’s first few months of the season a little difficult. We would have expected to see more of the Uruguayan during the season but other than the fact that Ancelotti is hesitant to rotate, Valverde has not been at his best so far.
Isco – N/A
With only 176 minutes played so far during this season for Real Madrid, Isco cannot be graded. At one point, it looked like the manager would be counting on him a lot more but that cannot be further from the truth at the moment.
Dani Ceballos – N/A
With no minutes played at all this season, Dani Ceballos cannot be graded. He has struggled with an injury for the majority of the campaign as he only recently returned to full training. It will be interesting to see how much of a part he has to play during the second half of the season.
Lucas Vazquez – C
After some extremely strong performances particularly at right-back last season, Lucas Vazquez signed a new contract until 2024. However, his performances have taken a dip this season. Lucas has still had a few opportunities to play and it’s clear that Ancelotti has some trust in him but the performances have not been great and at times, he has been very poor. He’ll need to pick himself up in the second half of the campaign as he’ll surely have an important part to play given that he’s Carvajal’s backup.
Eden Hazard – D
The story continues for Eden Hazard as he struggled with injuries this season before a couple of average performances. He was Ancelotti’s starter when the season began but Vinicius Junior changed his mind quickly and since then, we haven’t seen too much of the Belgian. He ended the first half of the season on a higher note though with two good performances against Cadiz and Athletic Bilbao.
Marco Asensio – C
Marco Asensio was one of the two players constantly rotating on the right flank and as time went on, it looked like Ancelotti trusted him more there. It was only a few weeks earlier that Asensio was a central midfielder with Ancelotti trying to shift the Spaniard more centrally as he believed that the player would be more useful there. He was when the team took on Real Mallorca but since then, he has had some very average performances mixed with brilliant goals off the right flank.
Rodrygo Goes – C
The other player rotating with Asensio on the right is Rodrygo Goes who has had a difficult season overall. He has what it takes to make that flank his own but unfortunately, it just doesn’t look like it’s working for him well. Ancelotti likes him and at one point, believed that the Brazilian is the starter on the wing but things did not play out that way.
Gareth Bale – N/A
With only 193 minutes played this season, Gareth Bale cannot be graded. The manager likes him but injuries (as usual) made things difficult for the Welshman who is expected to return in the new year.
Vinicius Junior – A+
What an incredible season for Vinicius Junior so far! The young Brazilian has been in sensational form during the campaign and is understandably untouchable on the left flank. Maybe it was a blessing that Kylian Mbappe did not join the club last summer as we may not have seen this version of Vinicius. He will only improve and we are all ready to witness his greatness.
Karim Benzema – A
With the absence of Marcelo for most games, Karim Benzema has been the captain on the pitch and he deserves this. The attacker has continued being a very important part of the team going forward and now that Vinicius has worked on his finishing, the duo have been brilliant together.
Luka Jovic – C
After finally getting a rare chance due to an injury to Benzema, Luka Jovic took it brilliantly with a goal and assist in his first game. He received continuity, gained some of Ancelotti’s trust and is ready to show that he can succeed at Real Madrid. It will be extremely interesting to see how the next few months play out.
Mariano Diaz – N/A
With only 107 minutes played this season, Mariano Diaz cannot be graded. He has had some moments in the team but unfortunately, he’s not good enough even though he offers speed going forward, Benzema and Jovic over a lot more in general.
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti – B+
Carlo Ancelotti has definitely exceeded expectations at Real Madrid this season and has the team playing at a high level. However, his lack of rotations however understandable could end up being his downfall during the second half of the campaign and only time will tell what he has in mind for when things get more complicated while juggling the league, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.