Player Ratings: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid – 2021/22
Real Madrid win the first Clasico of the season and return to the top of the LaLiga table.
David Alaba gave Real Madrid the lead after 32 minutes. The Austrian started the move before finding Vinicius who skipped past Mingueza before switching the play to Rodrygo. Rodrygo found Alaba in space and everyone expected the Austrian to find Benzema but the centre-back instead to chose to go for goal and what a finish it turned out to be.
Barcelona had a number of chances to level the game or even take the lead but failed to take advantage of the opportunities. Real Madrid however, took full advantage of their chances. Late on in the game with Barcelona looking for an equaliser, Asensio raced clear and had his shot saved by Ter Stegen before Lucas Vazquez poked into an empty net.
Aguero managed to get a goal back for the Blaugrana but it was too late to change to change the outcome of the game. Madrid despite not being brilliant, did enough to secure all three points. Our player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 6.5/10
A relatively quiet afternoon for the Belgian. Barcelona created a number of chances but most of them were off target. Not much he could’ve done to stop Aguero’s goal late on.
Lucas Vazquez: 7/10
Eder Militao: 7.5/10
Another solid performance from the Brazilian. Eder showed great awareness and read the game brilliantly to stop multiple attacks from the Catalan side.
David Alaba: 8.5/10
What a way to mark your El Clasico debut. The Austrian was solid defensively and scored the all important opener for Los Blancos. Alaba started the move and finished it off with a brilliant strike in the first half. A dream way to score your first goal for Real Madrid.
Ferland Mendy: 7.5/10
Casemiro: 7/10
Toni Kroos: 7.5/10
Slowly getting back to his best. The German didn’t have much time on the ball with Barcelona’s younger midfield pressing and making things uncomfortable but Toni still managed to influence the game with his passing and work rate off the ball.
Rodrygo: 7/10
Karim Benzema: 6.5/10
Vinicius Jr: 8/10
Substitutions:
Fede Valverde: 6/10 – Came on to replace Rodrygo. The Uruguayan didn’t last long on the pitch after a head collision with Pique forced him to come off.
Marco Asensio: N/A – Came on to replace Vinicius. The Spaniard looked sharp and played a key part in Real Madrid’s second goal.
Dani Carvajal: N/A – Came on to replace Valverde late on. Good to see the Spaniard back on the pitch.
