Real Madrid gets confirmed another timer as a history maker. In a 180 clash with Paris Saint Germain, Ancelotti’s men saw themselves in disadvantage for two times but never seem to give up. Madridistas never thought about leaving it in the hands of PSG and tried everything to turn the flow of the game. The Parisians looked as the better team with fresher legs and more quality most of the time, but that’s never enough and a legendary team as Real Madrid knows that very well.
It also takes a great spirit, unity, courage and willingness to sacrifice to make great achievements. That is actually the real difference maker. The senators led by Benzema took the match in hands helped by the youngsters who are now fully aware on what being a Real Madrid player means. The final 30 minutes in Santiago Bernabeu made PSG melt down in a catastrophic way...! Below are the player ratings:
Thibaut Courtois: 7.5
Produced two big saves early in the first half on Mbappe to deny the Frenchman an early goal. If not for Courtois, PSG may have been 2 or 3 up at half-time.
Dani Carvajal: 5.0
Had the difficult task of pressing high and being an important piece of the attack, but leaving Mbappe free in transition down Madrid’s right flank. His off ball defensive position was suspect at times and he struggled whenever placed in a foot-race with Mbappe. The tandem of Carvajal-Asensio on Madrid’s right flank did not appear to be at the level required for a match of this magnitude. However between the two, he was the one who really tried to keep the pace and even interrupted a pass from Messi to Mbappe which would have probably put the Frenchman 1vs1 with Courtois. On the other hand his crosses and shots had little accuracy.
Eder Militao: 8.5
Eder Militao is proving day by day that he is truly a high level player, fully meeting the requirements of Madrid’s level. Apart from one mistimed clearance, Militao was near perfect when faced with a trident of Messi-Neymar-Mbappe. It was Militao who had deal with the space that Carvajal left behind and try to mitigate Mbappe’s devastating runs on the counter. Without the Brazilian, Madrid’s night would have been very different.
David Alaba: 8.0
The leader of the backline was constantly seen shouting and barking orders. Had a crucial tackle on Mbappe in the second half to deny a goal-scoring opportunity. Stepped out aggressively to deny Messi space.
Nacho: 7.2
Featured at left back and had a solid performance. Achraf never got the better of Nacho and Messi was rarely isolated 1 v 1 vs the Madrid youth product.
Toni Kroos: 6.5
Looked fitter than expected, but only lasted 57 minutes. Played in a deeper role and managed 4 key passes.
Luka Modric: 9.5
Simply sensational - words will not do the Croatian’s performance justice. When the team needed him to show up, he did. Produced one of the most iconic moments of the match, a moment that will live on in the memories of Madridista’s for decades to come. Beat no less than five or six PSG players, running from some 50-yards with the ball, before releasing Vinicius with a sumptuous outside the boot through ball. Then went on to finish the play with a Guti-esque pass at the top of the box for Benzema to score the go-ahead goal.
Fede Valverde: 8.5
Was one of the better performers in the first half, but really found his confidence and played his best game in the final 30 minutes alongside Camavinga and Modric.
Vinicius Junior: 8.5
Had a hand in all three goals and probably should have scored a goal himself after connecting with a PSG deflection at the back post. Despite having a limited impact in the first half, often running into three of four PSG players, Vinicius never stopped working and finished the game with 1 assist alongside 7 completed dribbles.
Marco Asensio: 3.0
Another big game, another night to forget for Marco Asensio. Everything seemed off — his touch, his passing, his finishing and his defensive work rate. Him and Carvajal were the only insufficient players that night. A positive presence by them would have made things even better, way better!
Karim Benzema: 10.0
One of the best players to ever play for the club and don the white shirt. It has been a privilege to see Karim Benzema grow into the player he has become over the last 13 years and tonight was his night. A hat-trick against a European titan when his team’s back was up against the wall. Of course he was named the MOTM.
Substitutions:
Rodrygo: 8.0
Sensational performance — instant impact off the bench. Was not afraid to take Nuno Mendes on 1 v 1, combined with his striker partners, and was crucial in the third in final goal by winning the ball back off the kick-off and releasing Vinicius Junior down the left.
Eduardo Camavinga: 8.5
The 19-year-old was another instrumental piece to the turn around. His work rate when high pressing, his distribution, and his overall energy and dynamism gave Madrid the lift they needed to get back into the tie.
Lucas Vazquez: 8.0
His first touch of the ball was disposing Neymar after defending him 1 v 1 down Madrid’s right flank. Had an important foul on Mbappe to stop a counter and won 4 of his 5 ground duels, including 2 completed tackles.
Ancelotti: 7.2
He did everything he had in his hands as the match went on. Logically, he put the best possible team on the pitch (even why Dani Carvajal and Asensio disappointed with their performances) and had a perfect timing and choices with the substitutions.
Last but not least - Fans: 10.0!!! (as always)
An amazing night at Bernabeu! Madridistas always know how to turn a football match night in a magical night. Their constant support really made PSG realize how difficult is to break 60000 people present at the stadium representing other millions from all over the world. They really were the 12th player on the pitch. A legendary club cannot be called legendary if no fans of this level are present to give their support!
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