Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on LaLiga’s Matchday 27. It is safe to say that this was Los Blancos’ best performance in a long time. The match started out on the wrong foot after Dani Carvajal’s silly challenge gifted La Real a penalty that Mikel Oyarzabal converted perfectly, but Madrid responded with first-half wondergoals from their midfielders.
In the end, Los Merengues took full control of the game and picked up a confidence-boosting win over a tough LaLiga side before their second leg clash with PSG in the Champions League.
Here are the player ratings from Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over La Real. Juxtapose that with PSG losing 1-0 to a top Ligue 1 side, Nice, at the exact same time on Saturday.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thankfully, Thibaut Courtois was not a standout for Real Madrid in this game, because it means the team actually did its job and was organized. Courtois was protected greatly by the world-class center backs in the first half, so even when Real Sociedad looked dangerous and were not pinned back, Courtois only had to face the penalty among the tough chances. And obviously, you cannot fault a keeper for surrendering a goal from the spot.
Rating: 6.0
LB Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy was not troubled at all defensively. Real Sociedad’s right side carried absolutely no threat to the Frenchman, who played a smart, composed game at left back. You could maybe pick at him a little bit for not offering Vinicius Jr. much in terms of dynamic support, which put a lot on the left winger’s plate. But as a whole, Mendy was fine.
Rating: 6.5
CB David Alaba
Another excellent performance from David Alaba, who seems to always be in the right place at the right time. The 29-year-old did not even have to make a tackle or an interception, which falls under the Paolo Maldini class of defending. Meaning, Alaba was on such a level in reading the game that he never had to make the tackle in the first place. He is one of those players who makes everyone around him better, even if subtly so.
Rating: 7.5
CB Eder Militao
When Real Madrid last faced Real Sociedad, Eder Miltao earned a perfect 10. While he could not quite earn the same marks in this one, Militao still scored extremely highly with another defensive masterclass, pocketing the dangerous La Real forward line. Alexander Isak looked powerless in the face of Militao’s astute, strong defending. Militao owned him in every way, putting his body on the line and shielding the frustrated Swede on this night.
Rating: 8.0
RB Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal sure redeemed himself. He had Madridistas enraged after he made another woeful defensive error, gifting La Real an early penalty with a needless challenge on David Silva. That led to Mikel Oyarzabal sinking the penalty, putting Madrid in an early hole.
But Carvajal’s defending improved markedly, as evidenced by a more patient one-on-one against the goal-scorer, Oyarzabal, to assure Los Blancos would not yield a counterattack goal to go down 2-0.
Carvajal created a goal late in the match as well, atoning for an attacking mistake in which he made a poor cross after Rodrygo won the ball in the opponent’s box. His cut-back for the substitute Marco Asensio was picture-perfect.
All Real Madrid fans want to see from Carvajal is some consistency. Is that so much to ask? More of what we saw in the second half, less of what we saw in the first.
Rating: 6.5
CM Eduardo Camavinga
Madridistas have been calling for Carlo Ancelotti to give Eduardo Camavinga more minutes this season. He has been very good any time he has played, whether in the Copa del Rey, Champions League, or LaLiga. Camavinga turned in another great performance in midfield, this time in a big league match against Real Sociedad.
It was Camavinga who turned the narrative of the match at first with his confident screamer from well outside the box. Camavinga absolutely destroyed the ball with precision, leaving Alex Remiro grasping at the air in the Real Sociedad goal.
Beyond his wonderstrike, the Frenchman had three tackles and completed about 90 percent of his passes in an ever-present, composed performance. Camavinga can do it all in the middle of the park, making him a valuable member of the Real Madrid squad. Ancelotti surely has to take his minutes more seriously now.
Rating: 7.5
DM Casemiro
Toni Kroos missed this game with an injury, but Casemiro gave Madridistas a Kroos-esque pass, hitting Dani Carvajal across the field. That ball was the key move in the build-up to the fourth goal of the night, scored by Marco Asensio after Carvajal’s smart cutback for the right winger.
Casemiro was much more secure on the ball, rebounding after a woeful display against Rayo Vallecano in which he was subbed off after an awful second-half tackle. The defensive midfielder did a nice job of joining attacks and, like Alaba, was so good defensively that he rarely had to make many interventions.
Rating: 7.0
CM Luka Modric
Luka Modric received a well-deserved standing ovation from the Bernabeu faithful upon being subbed for Dani Ceballos. The Croatian magician lived up to his billing with some lovely dribbling and an even lovelier goal to give Real Madrid an initial 2-1 lead heading into the second half.
After struggling a bit when the entire team did, Modric bounced back and was aided by the work Rodrygo did at right wing. Modric also made the pass to Camavinga on the first goal, meaning he had a goal and an assist.
Rating: 8.0
LW Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius Jr. hasn’t been his usual self these past few weeks, passing up on shooting opportunities and not making as many grand take-ons. And yet he continues to make a difference in key moments. Last week, he had the assist for Karim Benzema’s winning goal at Vallecas. And this week, he won a penalty so that Karim Benzema could seal the game at 3-0.
Rating: 6.5
CF Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema had a slow start to the game, so it looked like the world-class No. 9 may have another quiet performance. But as we all know, Benzema is always good for a big play or two.
He nearly put Real in the lead 2-1 in the first half, seconds after Eduardo Camavinga’s wondergoal from beyond the box. That goal, however, was disallowed, as was a goal in the second half.
Benzema had a brace of disallowed goals, but his penalty ensured that he would not leave the game empty-handed. The French striker now has 20 goals and 10 assists on the season for Real Madrid, making him LaLiga’s most productive player and the clear favorite to win the coveted Pichichi trophy.
Healthier than he was in the first leg – when he really should not have been playing – Benzema can be the difference Real need to turn the tie vs. PSG at the Santiago Bernabeu this Wednesday.
Rating: 7.5
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RW Rodrygo Goes
While Marco Asensio was the one who scored – with his first touch off the bench to add to his reputation as something of a super-sub – Rodrygo Goes showed why he should remain in the starting conversation on the right wing. Real Madrid scored three goals before Rodrygo made way for the ex-Mallorca man, and that is because of all the little things the Brazilian does to make his team better.
Rodrygo’s pressing created chances for Madrid, and the width and playmaking he provides also benefited the forwards and midfielders. Real Madrid have more space when Rodrygo plays, which significantly helps the attack. Madridistas do not underestimate that, and they are appreciative of how Rodrygo helped the team in this lovely 4-1 win over La Real at the Bernabeu.
Rating: 7.0