Real Madrid rotated heavily in their second-to-last fixture of the 2021/22 LaLiga season, starting the likes of Jesus Vallejo at right back (yes, right back, you read that correctly), Mariano Diaz, Lucas Vazquez at LEFT back, and Andriy Lunin.
It was the young Ukrainian goalkeeper who stood out the most in an otherwise nondescript 1-1 Real Madrid draw with Cadiz, which saw Madridistas get increasingly nervous with the state of their defense before the Champions League Final vs. Liverpool.
Here are the player ratings from the draw with Cadiz.
GK Andriy Lunin
The Real Madrid backup goalkeeper was brilliant, making a top save from open play and a top save from the penalty spot. Andriy Lunin has a bright future ahead of him, and he is building on his performances each time he gets a chance. Will he stay or go on loan next season? Madridistas would love to see him take another step forward. He is easy to root for.
Rating: 8.0
LB Lucas Vazquez
Lucas Vazquez surprisingly started on the left side of the formation, with the idea likely being for him to support Rodrygo Goes offensively in the Brazilian’s preferred position on the left wing. But Vazquez – one nice turn aside – never looked fully comfortable.
Rating: 6.0
CB Nacho Fernandez
Nacho Fernandez was the only true positive in the back four, making a lot of great plays to bail out Eder Militao, though he could not save his center back partner on the goal Cadiz scored to equalize. The Spaniard completed a whopping 98 percent of his passes.
Rating: 7.0
CB Eder Militao
Easily the worst player on the pitch, Eder Militao was the source of all of Real Madrid’s woes. He made so many embarrassing errors defensively, including a headed gift to Cadiz on the goal they scored. Before that, he had an even more criminal error, chasing after the ball instead of focusing on his positioning. It was the same error that cost him earlier this season. Militao must step up. This was not good enough in any sense, as he made several selfish, immature decisions that simply cannot happen at this level.
Rating: 2.0
RB Jesus Vallejo
Jesus Vallejo surprisingly played at right back, and he was about as effective as you’d expect there. He had no idea what he was doing and did his best to stay afloat defensively. All told, he wasn’t too bad, recording two tackles, four interceptions, and four clearances. I would have expected more obvious struggles.
Rating: 6.0
CM Toni Kroos
Undoubtedly the best player on the pitch. Toni Kroos completed 95.8 percent of his 118 pass attempts, including a jaw-dropping 17 of 17 long balls. In addition to dictating the play beautifully, the experienced German created chances with four key passes. On top of that, he drew two fouls. Kroos was all over the pitch, dazzling with backheels and his reading of the game. He even had four tackles and two clearances. The haters need to shut up once and for all. Kroos is still class.
Rating: 8.5
DM Casemiro
Casemiro completed 9 of 10 long balls and led the team with six clearances. While the Real Madrid defensive midfielder was not at his vintage best, he was still solid.
Rating: 6.5
CM Fede Valverde
Fede Valverde completed four dribbles before being subbed off for Dani Ceballos. The 23-year-old was effective as usual, deadly in transition and industrious in defense.
Rating: 7.0
LW Rodrygo Goes
The best player on the pitch before being subbed off, Rodrygo got Real Madrid off to a misleadingly fast start, setting up Mariano Diaz’s goal with inspired dribbling. Rodrygo is in incredible form, and he knows it. The confidence he is playing with is a sight to behold.
Rating: 7.5
ST Mariano Diaz
Right place, right time for Mariano on the opener, showing the effort that makes him preferred to Luka Jovic in Carlo Ancelotti’s eyes. He should have had a brilliant assist with his left foot, too, though Marco Asensio squandered the chance. Nothing special from Mariano, but he got the job done. I am sure he would have liked a brace, but his volley was struck with too much venom.
Rating: 6.0
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RW Marco Asensio
Decent, though Marco Asensio continues to leave something to be desired. The man is just missing that extra gear he needs to be great at Real Madrid. He had some nice plays, including one carry at the end of the match to show strength when Cadiz were trying to tactically foul him, but he was also wasteful and had poor touches. In the end, he did have three key passes and worked harder defensively than in past games with three tackles.
Rating: 6.0