Real Madrid had a great win last night and the team played very well in general. However, not everything was great and perfect since the start. The players initially suffered but fortunately found themselves as soon as the second half started. Benzema was awarded the Man of the Match in a game where he was occupied with everything (like always). Below are the ratings for the match against Alaves:
The starting XI:
GK Thibaut Courtois: 6.0
He did not look 100 percent comfortable in goal, but he cannot be blamed for the yellow card and penalty. Thibaut Courtois had some good punches and came out to sweep the ball away when he was needed. Overall, an average performance from a great goalkeeper.
LB David Alaba: 7.5
David Alaba had a couple of nervy moments in transition defense, so he was not perfect. But he was very, very good on both ends of the pitch for Real Madrid. Whereas Ferland Mendy struggles to cross and Marcelo cannot play defense at all, Alaba can do everything at a high level. A breath of fresh air at left back, Alaba had some clever flicks and intelligent interceptions. He would pop up wherever he was needed and picked up a deserved assist with a great delivery for Vinicius Junior late in the match.
CB Eder Militao: 5.0
Eder Militao had one nice tackle late in the match to stop an Alaves counterattack, but his performance will be marred by a really poor touch back to Courtois that left his goalkeeper exposed. He caused the penalty, but we have to remember to take the mistakes in stride with such a talented young center back.
CB Nacho Fernandez: 8.5
He could have been as well the Man of the Match for Real Madrid. After a sensational 2020-2021 season amidst injuries at center back, Nacho led by example on Matchday 1 of the 2021-2022 LaLiga campaign. He made a handful of jaw-dropping tackles and even picked up a goal, scoring with aplomb after latching onto Luka Modric’s left-footed cross with the intent and clinical nature of an experienced striker. His amazing improvement in the last year is continuing this year as well. Or did he really improve? Maybe he has always been this great, but unfortunately, has been limited by injuries and the other reasons that have kept him out of the pitch.
RB Lucas Vazquez: 6.5
Although Lucas Vazquez suffered from some sloppiness, it was another serviceable performance from the Galician wide man. Per WhoScored.com, he had a pair of key passes and interceptions for his team. Vazquez kept play ticking and did well to help create the opening goal by making sure the ball slid onto the grass into the heart of the area so that either Eden Hazard or Karim Benzema could finish the job.
CM Fede Valverde: 6.5
Fede Valverde was quiet for most of the game and sent a couple of shots way over the bar from range, but you could tell he was always intent on changing the match. And he ended up making an important play, gliding past a dumbfounded Alaves defender with a gorgeous touch that would have made Vinicius Junior or any other explosive winger proud. Valverde did not score the goal, but his move led to Karim’s second. Fede is a wrecking ball at times, and I mean that in the best way possible.
DM Casemiro: 7.5
Casemiro flies under the radar, because he does his job so well that you hardly notice him. And then when you look at the stats at the end of the match, he has four tackles, two interceptions, and three fouls drawn as one of the team’s most productive players. Case will frustrate with his ill-advised backheels and weird giveaways, and his covering could have been better in the first half. But like Luka Modric, Vazquez, and a few other Madrid players, he more than shook off the rust in the second half.
CM Luka Modric: 8.0
After making some uncharacteristic giveaways in the first half of the match, Luka Modric controlled the Mendizorroza as only he can in the second 45. The ageless wonder from Croatia made it all look easy, finishing the night with two tackles, two interceptions, two fouls drawn, two key passes, three dribbles completed, and one very fine assist. Modric fills up the stat sheet in meaningful ways and dictates the play. With Toni Kroos out, Modric’s massive second half made all the difference. Masterful stuff once more.
LW Eden Hazard: 7.0
Eden Hazard is learning to play a different style to prolong his career and remain effective, so while he is no longer carrying the ball and dribbling around defenders, he is still making his presence felt with clever touches as more of a linking player who provides width and then drifts inside when he can be that connective piece. Hazard had a few delightful flicks in this win, including one that led to Benzema’s opener. The Belgian had a team-high three key passes with a pair of dribbles completed and fouls drawn for Real Madrid. You have to consider his night a success.
RW Gareth Bale: 6.5
Gareth Bale took players on, took on shots, and showed a great understanding with Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema by the time he made way for the young Rodrygo Goes in the second half. The Welshman looked reinvigorated against Milan and carried that positivity into the LaLiga opener against Alaves. Bale could be a real X-Factor for Real Madrid this season, and he does seem intent on playing to his fullest under Carlo Ancelotti. With time, we will see better end product from the experienced forward.
CF Karim Benzema: 8.5
More recognition is needed for the most important Real Madrid player? Karim Benzema will surely have more help this season, especially if Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale can carry on from their quality openers at Alaves. Yet it is abundantly clear that Benzema is the guy for Real Madrid. He scored twice and made so many great runs off the ball. He is on another level even when compared to the other stars in Madrid. He is the top level and Real Madrid cannot be Real Madrid without him. Ancelotti has found again the striker of his old times with the exception that this Benzema is even better compared to what Ancelotti remembers!
Substitutions:
Vinicius JR: 7.5
Very energetic after coming on from the bench! This may be the perfect strategy for the Brazilian to gain more maturity and to find the net more often, coming on late in the match, leaving behind the tired legs of the opponent and with the game in a more open state. His speed in transition was lethal and he created two good opportunities: one for Rodyrgo and one for himself just before the end of the match. He would be rewarded for his good work after cheating in a cross from David Alaba to score his first goal of the season.
Rodrygo Goes: 6.0
Played on the right wing and had about half the touches as his counterpart, Vinicius JR. When he did get on the ball he was clean and tidy, with 100% pass accuracy. He is getting more mature and compared to Vinicius is more quiet but he is always there to take his chance.
Luka Jovic: N/A
Only played the latest minutes of the match with not enough time to show something important.
Isco: N/A
Only played the latest minutes of the match with not enough time to show something important.
Marco Asensio: N/A
Only played the latest minutes of the match with not enough time to show something important.
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