CM/DM Toni Kroos
After a surprisingly poor game against Athletic Bilbao, Toni Kroos looked much more like himself on Matchday 23 of LaLiga vs. Granada. The 32-year-old led the way with 88 pass attempts, completing 95.5 percent of them. He was accurate on two of his four crosses and 11 of his 14 long balls, showing that his passing accuracy wasn’t just the product of simple attempts.
Kroos made some great switches and inviting passes over the top, always looking to get Real Madrid into better situations. He did not make any passes leading to a goal, but he was Real’s most threatening player.
Rating: 8.0
DM Eduardo Camavinga
Don’t let the fact that he was subbed at the half fool you. Eduardo Camavinga was good in this match, especially going forward. He played as a 6 with Casemiro out due to a stomach illness, but, as we know, he is better as an 8. Camavinga had two key passes before exiting, including one delightful flick to Rodrygo Goes.
Rating: 6.5
CM Luka Modric
It was a surprise to see that Carlo Ancelotti chose to sub Camavinga instead of Luka Modric for Fede Valverde at the half, because Modric looked very tired in this game. Valverde should have started, in truth.
Modric had some nice attacking contributions with his close-control and passing, but he was more sluggish than usual defensively due to this fatigue. He had three tackles, completed a couple of dribbles, and nailed about 95 percent of his 75 pass attempts, including five of six long balls. So he was good. Just not his usual “great”. Though he did have one truly magical moment with his backheel to Hazard that nearly led to a penalty.
Rating: 7.0
CM Fede Valverde
The basic stats don’t show anything special from Fede Valverde off the bench, but Madridistas who watched this game know that he changed Real’s fortunes. Fede worked his ass off again, earning constant applause from the Bernabeu for his runs off the ball and his willingness to press every single Granada player. Valverde is a tank, and he needed only one half to rack up a combined three tackles and interceptions. Hopefully, he can get some more starts. Modric could use the rest with the Champions League knockouts looming.
Rating: 7.5