Real Madrid fans were not happy with the lineup Carlo Ancelotti selected coming into this LaLiga fixture vs. Granada, and they already had a bone to pick with the legendary manager after his poor decisions in their Copa del Rey loss to Athletic Bilbao.
Los Blancos’ first half was as dire as it gets, but a big save in the fourth minute from Thibaut Courtois ensured they would get a chance to claw back.
And they did.
Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard entered the match in the second half and predictably helped. But it was Marco Asensio who was the hero, scoring a delightful goal from outside the box, his eighth of the season in all competitions.
Here are the player ratings from Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Granada.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois made a couple of important stops in this match, with none bigger than his save in the opening minutes. Yet again, he was a difference-maker for Real Madrid.
Rating: 7.5
LB Marcelo
Coming into this match, many of us were worried about Marcelo starting at left back with Ferland Mendy injured and Miguel Gutierrez seemingly perpetually out of the picture. But Marcelo was not a liability. In fact, he was quite good. He made very few mistakes defensively and was in command offensively, including when Real Madrid were struggling elsewhere in the attack. Marcelo received applause from the Santiago Bernabeu after being subbed off for Nacho Fernandez in the second half. He had three dribbles completed, three fouls drawn, and three tackles.
Rating: 7.5
CB David Alaba
David Alaba came up to join the attack in the second half with Real desperate to score. He nearly created a goal, too, with a lovely stepover pass and then another great pass in the box to feed Luka Modric, who probably should have shot first-time. Alaba was solid defensively and accurate as ever with his passing, completing 95 percent of his attempts.
Rating: 7.5
CB Eder Militao
This was a quieter day from Eder Militao, who had a couple of lapses defensively in the first half but was generally solid, especially as the game went on. He played a key role in the clean sheet and made some nice recoveries in the opposition’s half with Real chasing a goal.
Rating: 7.0
RB Dani Carvajal
It was wonderful to have Dani Carvajal back in the starting XI for Real Madrid. The world-class right back showed that class throughout the match, putting in an elite shift defensively with some industrious attacking work. He was the guy the midfielders constantly looked to, and it makes a world of difference when he is on the pitch. Carvajal does so many of the little things well.
Rating: 8.0
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
LW Rodrygo Goes
Rodrygo Goes was the worst player on the pitch at San Mames, and, unfortunately, that did not change at the Bernabeu. And like his last match, it did not matter where Rodrygo popped up on the pitch. He was ineffective.
Aside from three moments where he got shots away, Rodrygo looked quite hesitant. He saved this game from being a disaster like the last one, but it is hard to praise a player who contributed as little threat as he did. Rodrygo’s situation is becoming concerning to Madridistas.
Rating: 5.0
CF Isco
Isco wasn’t bad in this false nine role, but it was clear that going with him as a false nine was a mistake. As we saw in the second half, Luka Jovic should have started.
All told, Isco did the best he could in this situation. His movement when dropping deep was uninspiring, but his movement in the box was excellent. Isco had three key passes and three dribbles completed, leading the team in both statistics. He used his football IQ to great effect. Isco has something to offer to this team, but it is hard to find a spot for him.
Rating: 6.5
RW Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio was a ghost for much of the game, but, like the last fixture, he started to grow into the match before unleashing a devastating strike to win it. His goal was a hit of the highest order and deserved to be celebrated with his jersey off.
The 26-year-old had a whopping six shots on target and was a great save away from sealing the game with a brace. We know Asensio does not offer much besides goals, but he is one of the few players on this team who can score from nothing.
Rating: 7.5
LW Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard had a successful cameo off the bench. He drew a free kick in a dangerous situation, created a great chance for Luka Jovic within moments of entering the match, and dusted two defenders on one play to set up Jovic with another good chance (which then led to Asensio nearly scoring).
It was great seeing Hazard beat defenders one-on-one and find space. Hazard may feel frustrated with his situation, but when he’s on the pitch, there are signs of life. I think this is a performance he can build on, especially if Ancelotti quickly realizes that he erred.
Rating: 7.0
ST Luka Jovic
Although Luka Jovic was not as exciting as Hazard, he had a decent showing off the bench, too. Maybe he should get better at his finishing and at picking out teammates, but he looked better in transition and off the ball in general. Jovic’s future likely lies outside of Madrid, but every positive performance is important for both him personally and for the club’s success in 2021-22.
Rating: 6.5