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Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona: Player Ratings as Modric, Courtois excel in narrow loss

By Hridyam Arora

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 23: Luka Modric #10 of Real Madrid controls the ball during the preseason friendly match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Allegiant Stadium on July 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 23: Luka Modric #10 of Real Madrid controls the ball during the preseason friendly match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Allegiant Stadium on July 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /
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Luka Modric of Real Madrid
Luka Modric of Real Madrid (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /

Some quick notes on the second half: Real Madrid were actually better in the second half, and it was solely because of their midfield changes. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric were able to play through Barcelona’s press rather easily, which led to more chances for the team.

If there was a natural goalscorer in the XI that played the second half, maybe Real would’ve scored. Anyway, here are the ratings for our substitutes:

CB Nacho Fernandez

Nacho had an alright second half. To be fair to him, there was an instance where he was up against Dembele and did incredibly well to win the ball, but apart from that, nothing really impacted the game positively or negatively. He was just there.

Rating: 6.0

CB Jesus Vallejo

Was introduced midway into the second half. Sometimes he looked like he was a second slower than most of his teammates, but did fine otherwise. Actually grew into the game. Could’ve been better at defending in chaos, but was OK apart from that.

Rating: 6.0

RB Alvaro Odriozola

Bad game from Odriozola. Misplaced most if not all his passes, didn’t contribute to the attack or defense. Just not great.

Rating: 4.5

LB Ferland Mendy

Mendy was decent. He showed why Real Madrid need him to play when they’re up against wingers like Dembele, because except for the last 10 or so minutes, Mendy really did keep the Frenchman in check. Had a few interventions in Real’s box, and was good overall.

Rating: 6.5

DM Casemiro

Casemiro had a usual Casemiro game. He wasn’t great with the ball, but defended well without it. Although, this time, his passing was a bit worse than it usually is. But, it’s pre-season. He’ll be fine.

Rating: 5.0

CM Toni Kroos

Pretty good half from Kroos. He seemed well-rested, and the team instantly looked better after he came on. Did make a couple of uncharacteristic passes, but I think he’s allowed that in the first game of the season.

Rating: 7.0

CM Luka Modric

Best outfield player on the pitch by an absolute mile. Modric did everything right, picked up where he left off last season, and he did so well to keep Real Madrid going. He defended, tracked runners, went forward, created chances, you know, the usual. This dude’s going to be 37 in two months.

Rating: 8.0

RW Marco Asensio

Another disappointing performance from Asensio. He was more involved than I have seen him be in big games, I’ll give him that. But except for that and a chance that should’ve ended up in the back of the net, Asensio didn’t contribute a lot.

Rating: 5.5

CF Mariano

The usual Mariano game. Missed a chance to level the game after a great build-up from Real Madrid, and made some bad decisions, but you knew he was on the pitch, he made sure of that. That’s not necessarily a compliment, but you know.

Rating: 4.5

Next. The most injury-prone Real Madrid player not named Eden Hazard. dark

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LW Dani Ceballos

Don’t know what Ceballos was doing as a left-winger here, but I guess Ancelotti wanted to keep the experiments going. He linked up very well with the rest of the team actually, also created a beautiful chance via some one-touch passing between him, Kroos and Asensio. Apart from that, nothing noteworthy.

Rating: 6.0

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