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Real Madrid 2-0 Chelsea: Player Ratings
The glorious UEFA Champions League anthem rang around the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night as defending champions Real Madrid took on 2020/21 champions Chelsea. The two teams were to fight it out for a spot in the semifinal of the competition, and the game that followed lived up to its billing.
Karim Benzema gave Los Blancos the lead early in the first half as Real Madrid dominated the game in every aspect. Just when it looked like the visitors were getting back into the game, Ben Chilwell was sent off and reduced Chelsea to ten men in the second half. Marco Asensio’s strike later sealed the game.
The Merengues travel to Stamford Bridge with a two-goal advantage and a psychological edge next week. There was a feeling that Carlo Ancelotti’s men could have capitalised better on their home leg, but they nevertheless are the favourites to advance.
Madrid Universal brings you the player ratings from Real Madrid vs Chelsea.
Thibaut Courtois: 7
Had some work to do during Chelsea’s bright start to the game and was forced into making two big saves from inside the box. Again did well to deny Enzo Fernandez early in the second period.
Dani Carvajal: 7.5
A special night for the veteran full-back as he completely dominated the right flank over Ben Chilwell and Joao Felix. Defensively on point in the first half, capped off only by a splendid pre-assist for the team’s opener.
It was Carvajal’s perfectly times ball over the top that found Vinicius one on one against Kepa before Benzema struck the rebound into the back of the net.
Eder Militao: 7
A leader’s performance from the Brazilian centre-half who never looked to be under pressure on the night. Made three clearances, two tackles, and won five duels.
David Alaba: 7
Used his experience to complement the young feet of Militao perfectly. Completed the game with 11 defensive actions including a whopping four interceptions.
Eduardo Camavinga: 7
The Frenchman started as the left-back against Frank Lampard’s men but had minimal defensive work to do on the night. Became a bigger threat in the final third as the game advanced. Finished with seven defensive actions and a big chance created.
Federico Valverde: 7.5
A lot of eyes were on the Uruguayan to see how he held himself up after the weekend’s episode with Alex Baena. Against Chelsea, the youngster was single-minded, and focused and played a flawless first half with close to 96% pass accuracy.
He was a key part of Los Blancos’ persistent pressure on the visitors’ midfield after the break.
Toni Kroos: 7.5
Started as the pivot ahead of Aurelien Tchouameni and delivered another class-filled performance at the Santiago Bernabeu. Was instrumental in cutting off Chelsea’s passing lanes on any possible counterattack.
Won seven of his eight ground duels, 100% of his aerial duels, and made five tackles and a clearance on the night before making way for Aurelien Tchouameni.
Luka Modric: 7.5
The Croat had a routinely silent, yet flawless first half on the night and pulled the strings in the middle of the park to dominate the visitors’ exposed weaknesses. Had a splendid chance to score early in the second half but his curling effort went just over the bar.
Finished the game with 95% pass accuracy, a key pass, and three successful dribbles.
Rodrygo: 8
The youngster received the nod to start on the right wing on Wednesday. As expected, he spent most of his time on the field in central spaces instead of on the flank and played a smart role in combination play.
Got Ben Chilwell sent off by forcing a last-man tackle at the hour mark and thus reduced the opponents to ten men. Completed the game with two successful dribbles and a shot on target. Came off after 70 minutes.
Karim Benzema: 9
The Frenchman was a constant threat in and around the Chelsea area, managing three shots on target and a successful dribble in the first half alone. Benzema scored the opener with a simple touch into the back of the net and extended his special record against not only Chelsea but Premier League sides in general.
Continued to create a nuisance in Chelsea’s box until the very end when he missed a big chance to make it three.
Vinicius Jr: 9
The Brazilian struggled in the opening phase of the game against Wesley Fofana but found ways around the defender as the game progressed. Eventually, Carvajal’s sublime pass found him in a central channel and Vini’s touch was enough to put the ball beyond Kepa and into his captain’s path.
It was again the Brazilian’s pullback late in the game that found Marco Asensio for Real Madrid’s second goal of the night.
SUBSTITUTES
Marco Asensio: 8
Just seconds after coming on, he received the ball outside the opposition box and struck it sweetly the first time to beat Kepa at the right post.
Antonio Rudiger: 7.5
Came on to replace Camavinga and slotted in at centre-back, with Alaba moving to left-back. Did well to hold the fortress, and made a huge block to deny Mason Mount late on.
Dani Ceballos: 6.5
Came on, completed 100% of his passes, and won a duel. Not much more a manager can ask of his substitute.
Aurelien Tchouameni: N/A
Played a very minimal part, does 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.
