Real Madrid, the current European as well as La Liga champions, are facing a struggle of their own in every competition this season. It seems like they have lost their teeth and nails and are looking like a tiger who can pounce on its prey but can’t hunt it down!
A series of embarrassing results have seen Zinedine Zidane’s boys fall behind their arch rivals and current league leaders Barcelona by a mammoth 19 points. However, the Galacticos are looking to mend the gap as much as possible and hang on to a place for themselves in the top four to qualify for the Champions League next season, which will otherwise be absolutely shameful for a club of their stature.
That tenacity and hunger showed in their match against Real Sociedad, which Los Blancos won by 5-2. Though not at their flamboyant best, but the performance of the star-studded Real Madrid lineup is sure to bring some relief to their fans and off course to their gaffer, Zinedine Zidane before they start their preparations to face one of the most dangerous sides in European football at present in the form of Paris Saint Germain in their next encounter in the Champions League.
The very first move of the match saw them score the first goal of the match with Lucas Vasquez heading home from an inch-perfect cross delivered by the Portuguese maestro, Cristiano Ronaldo. The second and third goals, to the delight of every Real Madrid fan, were scored by their talisman Ronaldo, en route to his hat-trick. Toni Kroos added a fourth to take the match away completely from Sociedad in the first half itself.
The second half saw them come out with the same intent, as the Galacticos scored one more and finished off the match with a magnificent win over Real Sociedad. The away team put the ball in the back of the net twice via Jon Bautista and Asier Illaramendi in a show of late resurgence but it was too little too late to snatch a win for them.
This victory should act as a nice confidence booster for the 12-time European champions and help them gain that much-needed impetus to end the season at a respectable position.
Here are the ratings for the Real Madrid players.
Keylor Navas: 6/10
Did not have much to do throughout the match. However, the two late goals will look like a dark spot on his otherwise satisfactory effort beneath the crossbars.
Dani Carvajal: 6/10
Played his part well and went up and down the pitch with the ball and without it as well to support his teammates.
Rafael Varane: 5/10
Was the mainstay in the backline along with Sergio Ramos but was unable to live up to the expectation of the manager.
Sergio Ramos: 6/10
Was effective during most part of the match in keeping the opposition attackers at bay but conceding late goals are sure to not help his cause before the titanic clash against PSG.
Lucas Vazquez: 8/10
Scoring the first goal of the match in the very first minute gave him immense confidence and that showed in his game throughout the match.
Luka Modric: 7/10
Did what he does best; keeping the ball moving around and also kept lion’s share of the possession under his control.
Toni Kroos: 8/10
An immaculate performance from the German Maestro once again. Scored a good goal to put the cherry on the top of a brilliant display in the midfield.
Marco Asensio: 7/10
His brilliant footwork helped start the onslaught for the Galacticos. No wonder he is becoming one of the most versatile players for the side.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 9/10
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Though not the most brilliant of his performances but the hat-trick will definitely give him as well as Zinedine Zidane some much-needed confidence before the all-important clash against PSG.
Karim Benzema: 6/10
Another disappointing effort from the Frenchman. It will not be a matter of surprise if the 30-year-old finds himself offloaded in the summer by Los Blancos with these kinds of performances.
Substitutes
Isco: 7/10
Played well in the midfield and once again showed why he is rated so highly.
Mateo Kovacic: 6/10
Kept hold of the ball and distributed it well.
Gareth Bale: 7/10
Made an impact immediately as his deflected shot led to Ronaldo’s third goal with the Portuguese pouncing on the loose ball to find the back of the net.
