Real Madrid may have lost to Chelsea 2-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu, but they won the war, moving ahead 5-4 in the Champions League quarterfinal tie after magical moments from Luka Modric, Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema, and Vinicius Jr. It was another special night at the Santiago Bernabeu from the Merengues, who looked dead in the water at one point in the second half, down 3-0, before finding the two late goals they needed.
Here are the player ratings from Real Madrid’s hard-fought second leg battle at the Bernabeu against Chelsea.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois was put to the ultimate test against Chelsea’s press, with Thomas Tuchel looking to keep the former Blues’ goalkeeper on his toes. But Courtois never made any mistakes, which must be highlighted. Keepers get blasted for making mistakes, but they must be praised heavily when they are able to play a clean game on the ball.
Rating: 7.0
LB Ferland Mendy
He was lucky not to have conceded the third himself with an embarrassing giveaway. There are times when Ferland Mendy does not even look like a professional footballer with how little technical ability he has. He is so clumsy on the ball that when Real Madrid are on the attack, all he can do is stand still or pass backward. And off the ball, his runs make no sense now, providing no support or options for Vinicius Jr. if the latter is actually on the ball.
It is time for Real Madrid to consider a new left back this summer. And surely, Miguel Gutierrez cannot be worse than this. An absolutely useless performance from Mendy.
Rating: 3.0
CB David Alaba
David Alaba deserves a hearty applause for his performance. It is so, so easy to underrate what he does, but we have seen how much he is missed on the rare occasion he has not played this season. Without Eder Militao, Alaba was under so much stress, especially when he was defending with Dani Carvajal as his center back partner.
But Alaba took care of business. He made so many critical blocks and clearances, getting in the way of plays to stop them from developing into something more dangerous. Alaba makes so many interventions without even actually touching the ball. How many times have we said this? That is the hallmark of a great defender.
Rating: 8.5
CB Nacho Fernandez
Although Nacho Fernandez did not play well either, stepping out too aggressively twice in repeat mistakes of his awful errors at the beginning of the season as a starter, it was a tough blow to see him leave injured. Because it meant Dani Carvajal had to move to center back – not that he has been defending well enough as a right back.
Rating: 4.5
RB Dani Carvajal
While Dani Carvajal had his struggles at times in this match, perhaps being culpable on the first goal by Mason Mount. But he redeemed himself in the end, even after all of the sloppy passes and the mistakes. Because in the end, he did not make a critical mistake even in an unfamiliar position at center back, when his team needed him the most.
Rating: 6.0
CM Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos produced his worst individual performance of the 2021/22 season in this game. Part of that is down to the fact that, once again, he suffered because Real Madrid had so little control of the ball. But he was always very sloppy with his passing, especially by his standards. Defensively, he was chasing shadows, resorting to attempts at tactical fouls, rather than actual defending. He did not have the speed to hang with Chelsea.
If this were the approach Carlo Ancelotti wanted all along, why start Kroos? Why subject him to this match where he would be run ragged with no real ability to impact the game offensively? Kroos was quite poor, but we cannot make any grand statements about him. He was set up to fail. Not for the first time this season.
Rating: 4.0
DM Casemiro
Casemiro worked hard and made some key defensive interventions, but he also made some confusing plays, including actually stealing the ball from Luka Modric’s feet just to have one of his trademark longshots that goes miles over the var. He even made clumsy mistakes defensively, including going to ground far too early for one of Chelsea’s goals.
As much of a positive as Casemiro is overall, the defensive midfielder continues to frustrate fans to the point where you can understand why many Madridistas want the club to sign Aurelien Tchouameni as his replacement.
Rating: 5.0
CM Luka Modric
What more can be said about Luka Modric? What more superlatives can be said about the midfield magician? His outside-the-boot pass to Rodrygo Goes will go down in history as one of the finest Champions League passes ever. It was an example of Modric transcending the game and taking the responsibility upon himself to come up with a moment of magic that would give his team a chance to win. And without that pass to Rodrygo, Los Blancos would not have been able to win this game.
Of course, Modric’s impact on the match goes beyond that one assist. His pressing, relentless ball-winning, and veteran instincts were vital for Real Madrid not blowing this game or getting completely overrun. Clutch beyond words and one of the greatest ever.
Rating: 9.0
CM Eduardo Camavinga
The definition of a super-sub, Eduardo Camavinga showed incredible composure in the second half, earning great respect from a Santiago Bernabeu crowd that already had a great deal of love for the young midfielder coming in. Camavinga showed so much heart, intelligent passing, and brave defending for the Merengues.
Rating: 8.0
LW Vinicius Jr.
Though he did not get much service and was quieter than maybe Real Madrid would have liked, the young winger continues to find ways to make an impact even when he does not get many opportunities to do so.
Because it was Vini who provided a great cross for the go-ahead assist, serving up, guess who, Karim Benzema for the header. Vini also drew an early yellow card on Reece James with a quick move in an attempt to get into the penalty area. Had he got more of the ball, you get the feeling he would have beaten James a few more times. Hard-working defensively as ever, Vini earned a standing ovation from the Bernabeu before leaving the pitch for midfielder Dani Ceballos, exhausted after another match where he gave his all.
Rating: 7.0
CF Karim Benzema
Another player who transcends football and is beyond superlative. He could not score three hat-tricks in a row, but even against Thomas Tuchel’s perfect gameplan to prevent passes coming in his direction, Karim Benzema managed to get the game-winning goal. All he needs is the slightest of chances to change the game, to make an impact. And that slight opening was the one he took, heading Vinicius Jr.’s great cross past the world-class Edouard Mendy in goal.
Rating: 8.0
RW Fede Valverde
Fede Valverde is becoming a clutch player in his own right. He always shows up in every single big game, no matter what. The Uruguayan midfielder is now the best option on the right wing, and while he was not decisive in the final third like most right wingers, it was his all-around work that make the difference for the Merengues in this second leg, where survival was the name of the game. Valverde never stop sprinting, and the dynamic he provides kept Chelsea on their toes. Without him, like in the first leg, Real Madrid would not have made it through.
Rating: 7.5
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RW Rodrygo Goes
The clutch goal, the nonstop effort. It was all there. Rodrygo Goes is Mr. Champions League, as Real Madrid fans like to joke, and he showed it with a cool finish off that brilliant Luka Modric pass to make sure his “father’s” excellence did not go to waste.
Rating: 7.5