Features
Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid: Player Ratings | Copa del Rey
Real Madrid travelled to Barcelona with a one-goal deficit and turned it around in grandstand fashion. From 0-0 in the 42nd minute to 3-0 in the 58th, the Merengues destroyed Barcelona’s defence in a strong spell of play and got their revenge for recent results.
It was Vincius Jr who go the opening goal late in the first half. Immediately after the restart, Karim Benzema scored with a stunning strike before slotting home a penalty minutes later. The Real Madrid captain then completed his hattrick in the 80th minute to lead his team to a resounding 4-0 triumph.
The result sees Real Madrid book a slot in the final of the Copa del Rey and will face Osasuna in the title clash. Madrid Universal brings you the player ratings from El Clasico.
Thibaut Courtois: 8
The Belgian International had a busy night as he was forced to deal with Barcelona’s attacks for a significant part of the first half. Made a good save to deny Raphinha’s header early in the game and had a big moment at the end of the first half to deny Robert Lewandowski before the Merengues’ lethal counterattack.
Dani Carvajal: 7
Solid but far from fancy in the opening period. The Spaniard did well to limit Barcelona defensively but did not contribute much in the final third.
Eder Militao: 7.5
The Brazilian had a strong first half and controlled Lewandowski’s threat effectively for large parts of the game. Moreover, he had 21 defensive actions in the game and completed close to 90% of his passes.
David Alaba: 7.5
The Austrian international was phenomenal against Barcelona, recording ten defensive actions and a whopping six clearances in just 45 minutes. Had a controversial handball but was lucky to get away with it. Followed it up with a convincing second-half display.
Eduardo Camavinga: 8.5
The young Frenchman started as the left-back on the night and did exceedingly well to control Barcelona’s Raphinha. His judgment and timing of interceptions were perfect on Wednesday and broke the Catalans’ rhythm for a large part.
Made a whopping seven tackles, over twenty defensive contributions in the first half alone in a stellar showing.
Federico Valverde: 6.5
Silent for large parts of the game, uncharacteristically poor in the opening period in terms of decisive impact. Nevertheless, he was accurate with his passes and far from a liability in the first half.
Toni Kroos: 7.5
Started as the pivot on the night and was flawless as usual. The German maestro dictated the play in the middle of the park and orchestrated so many of Real Madrid’s attacks.
Luka Modric: 8.5
The Croatian international was on point at Spotify Camp Nou, not only starting but recording a special performance. He completed over 90% of his passes, made one key pass and assisted Benzema’s first goal of the fixture.
Rodrygo: 6.5
Far from Rodrygo’s best night. The youngster was deployed on the right wing in the hope of bringing life to the flank but failed to do so. Hardly generated any threat in the final third in terms of key passes or shots, although his movement made things difficult for the hosts.
Went close to scoring right after Benzema’s second goal. Came off for Asensio in the 74th minute.
Karim Benzema: 10
A dream night for the French striker who could do nothing wrong. 35 years old and still dominated the Clasico slipping through Barcelona’s defence like a slippery eel.
Benzema had a big part in Real Madrid’s first goal, combining well with Vinicius to break open the Catalan defence. He then fired a low shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to double the lead on the night and stepped up from the penalty spot to make it 3-0.
The striker calmly finished his hat-trick in the 80th minute after receiving a lovely pass from Vini Jr. Match winner.
Vinicius Jr: 9.5
Arrived at Spotify Camp Nou with something to prove, left having done exactly that. The Brazilian dominated the left-flank despite Ronald Araujo’s valiant defending and scored the Merengues’ opener with some lovely combination play.
He also drew the foul from Kessie early in the second half to win the penalty and put Real Madrid two goals clear on aggregate. Put the ball on a plate for Benzema late in the game to seal the deal for Los Blancos.
Substitutes
Marco Asensio: 6.5
Came on for 20 minutes and missed one big chance.
Dani Ceballos: NA
Did not warrant a rating.
Aurelien Tchouameni: NA
Did not warrant a rating.
Nacho Fernandez: NA
Did not warrant a rating.
Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Real Valladolid was far from convincing. They may have been the more effective side, but the Merengues were far from being the better team against Andoni Iraola’s men.
Saturday brings with it the team’s penultimate game of the campaign as Real Madrid take on Sevilla. The Andalusian side have not been impressive in La Liga this season but have always been one to turn up against the big teams. Tomorrow’s game is expected to be no different.
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make drastic changes ahead of kickoff, especially given the incomplete squad travelling for the game. Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Sevilla vs Real Madrid.
1. Final game on the road
The 2022-23 season has flown by in the blink of an eye. It may have been a rocky campaign and could have ended with better results, but there is a feeling that the squad has a lot to take away from the season as it is.
From the highs of completing a special Copa del Rey comeback win over Barcelona to the lows of losing three successive Clasicos, the men in white have seen it all. As the season now approaches the curtain-closing phase, Carlo Ancelotti and his men will be eager for a strong finish.
Sunday night will see the Merengues‘ final away game of the season as they travel to Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan to take on Sevilla. The 2021-22 champions have not had the best of seasons on the road in La Liga this season and a statement finish would go a long way in boosting the morale.
Sevilla have been far from their best this campaign domestically. Though they are well placed to taste glory in the UEFA Europa League once again, they languish in tenth place on the league standings with just 13 wins in 36 games.
Los Blancos boast a fine record at Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan and are unbeaten at the stadium in their last eight appearances. Their last defeat at the venue came back in 2018, and the objective tonight will be to extend the aforementioned streak.
2. Tchouameni’s point to prove
As much as Aurelien Tchouameni’s initial months at the club were called paradise, the Frenchman has not had life easy at Real Madrid in his first season.
The Frenchman initially stepped in as a more than able replacement for Casemiro in the middle of the park. His astute reading of the game and defensive awareness made him a monster in midfield and his position in the starting lineup appeared safe.
Tchouameni’s situation, however, took a steep turn after the FIFA World Cup. Coming back from a fatiguing World Cup and a minor niggle, the defensive midfielder no longer found his name on the starting lineup as he became second fiddle to Eduardo Camavinga.
The entry of Toni Kroos as an option for the pivot role further reduced the Frenchman’s involvement.
The youngster thus has a point to prove on Sunday night. He is expected to start at the Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan and will look to orchestrate the team’s play from deep in midfield whilst holding the fortress simultaneously. After all, it could be his final chance to prove his worth ahead of the new season.
3. Only three forwards
Real Madrid’s squad list only names three forwards making the trip to Seville to take on Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side – Rodrygo Goes, Eden Hazard, and Alvaro Rodriguez.
The manager does have a fourth option in Federico Valverde and could look to mix and match his options on the night. However, Carlo Ancelotti maintained a low profile on the starting lineup ahead of Sunday’s clash, especially when asked about Eden Hazard’s chances of participating.
Given that it is the team’s penultimate game of the season, Ancelotti could well look to start all three pure forwards on the night. After all, each has their own special reason to participate.
For Hazard, the game against Sevilla could well be his final away game in a Real Madrid shirt. The Belgian is reluctant to leave the club at the moment, but everything could change in June if he begins to attract interest.
In Alvaro Rodriguez’s case, tomorrow’s game presents itself as an audition to seal a place in next season’s dynamics. The youngster has impressed whenever given the chance so far and will look to keep his high level going.
Rodrygo Goes, arguably, needs the game the least of the three candidates. Yet, with Ancelotti publicly asking him to take more prominence, he has a point to prove.
