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Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid: Player Ratings
Real Madrid booked a berth in the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League for the second season in a row on Tuesday night. It was a special night at Stamford Bridge as the defending champions scored two goals past Chelsea without conceding a single goal across both legs.
Rodrygo was the man who shone brightest midweek, scoring both goals with a phenomenal understanding of linkup and positioning. However, the game was far from as east as the scoreline suggests.
The Blues pushed hard for the opening 45 minutes and it was only in the second period that the men in white could put the game to bed. Madrid Universal brings you the player ratings from Chelsea vs Real Madrid.
Thibaut Courtois: 8
Chelsea’s inspired first half at Stamford Bridge did not lead to any direct threats to Courtois’ goal. However, he was called into action twice in the half to make vital saves.
His most important contribution perhaps came just before the half-time whistle when the hosts’ ball crossfield fell at Marc Cucurella’s feet. The youngster attempted a close-range volley into the open goal but the Belgian’s timely interception and dive saved his team’s lead on the night.
Was called into action four more times from inside the box in the second half, but proved why he is one of the world’s finest under pressure.
Daniel Carvajal: 7.5
The Spanish right-back had a solid first half that boasted an all-round performance. He not only recorded two key passes but completed an interception, and two tackles and won 100% of his ground duels.
Completed his night with seven critical defensive actions and made way for Nacho Fernandez.
Eder Militao: 9
The Brazilian is arguably Real Madrid’s best defender at the moment and he showed his quality once more at Stamford Bridge. Made a vital block early in the second half to deny N’Golo Kante from scoring a sure-shot goal.
Completed the game with a stunning eight clearances, three blocked shots, an interception, a tackle and three duels won. Not much more to be said.
David Alaba: 8
Started the game as the centre-back alongside Eder Militao and played a valuable role in the first half in keeping the Blues at bay. He managed two clearances, two interceptions and a tackle in 45 minutes before making way for Antonio Rudiger at half-time.
Eduardo Camavinga: 7.5
Started as the left-back and delivered yet another masterclass. The young Frenchman is now beginning to look like an out-and-out defender and his performance do not show that he is in a foreign position.
He won a whopping eleven duels and nine other defensive actions on the night in addition to two dribbles completed.
Federico Valverde: 7.5
A valuable spell from Valverde who did not have any headline-creating involvements but perfectly carried out what was asked of him. He was calm under pressure, impeccable with his distribution and solid in winning the ball back.
Was sensational for the team’s second goal of the night as he danced past the pressure of the defence to set up Rodrygo Goes to an open goal.
Toni Kroos: 7.5
The midfielder, whose future was finally clear on the night after months of speculation, once again reiterated why the team revolves around him. In 90 minutes, the German completed 94% of his passes and 75% of his attempted long balls before making way for Dani Ceballos
Luka Modric: 7
The graceful Luka Modric not only started but completed the 90 minutes on the night. Worked silent, but hard and did not do much wrong on Real Madrid’s night of ecstasy.
Rodrygo: 9
The young winger was the star on the night as he scored the team’s third goal on aggregate just before the hour mark and virtually killed off the game for Real Madrid.
His moment came in the form of a rampant counter that began with Militao’s pass. The Brazilian was set free and thus made a rampaging run towards Chelsea’s box where he sent a neat cutback to Vinicius Jr. His compatriot selflessly returned the ball, leaving an empty goal for him to bury the ball into.
His stellar night continued with a second goal in the 81st minute when Valverde eliminated the entire Chelsea defence with his skills and set him up to bury a sitter. Made way for Marco Asensio after his second.
Karim Benzema: 6.5
Benzema began the game with a low profile, managing an xG of just 0.1 in the first 45 minutes and taking two shots. Came slightly back to life early in the second half but was far from his usual menacing self in front of the goal. Missed a golden chance in the 66th minute before he was withdrawn with 20 minutes to go for Aurelien Tchouameni.
Vinicius Jr: 8
With Chelsea having more of the ball and better movements in attack, Vinicius had a rather dull first half on Tuesday. The youngster had just 10 passes in the half and seldom got the chance to break into a counter-attack and run riot.
The situation changed after the restart of play and Los Blancos began a more determined period of attack. Vinicius, thus, came back to life and looked his usual self on the counter.
He played a big part in Rodrygo’s opener, standing at the right place at the right time to receive his cut-back and link up with his forward run.
Substitutes
Antonio Rudiger: 7.5
Played the second half against his former side and completed the game with four defensive actions. He was not dribbled past once in 45 minutes and carried the club’s crest with pride at his former home.
Aurelien Tchouameni: 6.5
The Frenchman saw valuable minutes in the middle of the park but did not have much glamour to show off at full-time.
Dani Ceballos: 6.5
Played 15 minutes after coming on, did not miss a pass and made no glaring errors in the middle of the park.
Nacho Fernandez
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Marco Asensio
Did not play enough to 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.
