Real Madrid entertained Barcelona at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano earlier tonight as they hoped to pick up a positive result in El Clasico. Los Blancos made a bright start to the game and took the lead in the 13th minute courtesy of a superb strike from Karim Benzema. The home team doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Toni Kroos was fortunate to score with a deflected free-kick. The Madrid giants went into the half-time break two goals up on the scoreline.
Barca gave themselves some hope as Oscar Mingueza pulled a goal back for his team to set up a grand finale to the Clasico. The match ended in dramatic fashion as Casemiro was sent off in the 90th minute but Real Madrid hung on to claim all three points after earning a narrow 2-1 victory at home.
Let’s take a look at how each Real Madrid player performed during the match against the Catalans.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6.5/10
The Belgian keeper made a couple of good saves but couldn’t do much to prevent Mingueza’s goal in the second half which ruined his chances of a clean sheet.
RB: Lucas Vasquez – 7.5/10
Vazquez set up Karim Benzema’s early goal and even went close to scoring himself but was denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He picked up an injury and was replaced before the half-time break.
CB: Eder Militao – 7/10
The Brazilian centre-back was a rock at the back as he made multiple clearances to restrict the Catalans to just one goal.
CB: Nacho – 6/10
The Spaniard struggled to get into the rhythm of the game and was a bit untidy with his passing. Defensively, he made a couple of important clearances.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 6.5/10
The French full-back kept things solid at the back but struggled to influence the game in the final third.
CDM: Casemiro – 7/10
Despite picking up two yellow cards in quick succession and being sent off late in the game, the Brazilian deserves credit for disrupting Barca’s flow at the centre of the park. He won the ball back multiple times for his team and was strong in the air as well.
RM: Federico Valverde – 6.5/10
He won a couple of aerial duels and was lively at times in the Barcelona half. He also tracked back to clear his lines when needed.
CM: Luka Modric – 7/10
The veteran midfielder did a little bit of everything at both ends of the pitch. However, Zinedine Zidane would be asking a bit more from him against Liverpool in midweek.
CM: Toni Kroos – 7.5/10
Kroos was always willing to get forward and join his teammates in the attacking third. He was fortunate to score with his free-kick when he saw the ball get deflected into an empty net.
LM: Vinicius Junior – 7/10
The Brazilian speedster came into this game in fine form and it showed in his performance tonight. He completed some dangerous dribbles down the left flank and created some excellent chances for his teammates to score.
ST: Karim Benzema – 7.5/10
Benzema opened the goal-scoring with a great strike. However, he didn’t offer much in the final third throughout the remainder of the game.
Substitutes:
RB: Alvaro Odriozola – 6/10
He performed his defensive duties well but failed to make an impact in the opponent’s half.
RM: Marco Asensio – 7/10
The Spaniard created two inviting goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
LM: Isco – 6/10
He had a couple of shots but never looked like scoring.
LM: Marcelo – 6/10
Marcelo brought some energy onto the field.
ST: Mariano – 6/10
He offered very little after coming off the bench.
