Player Ratings: Real Madrid 1-2 Athletic Club
Real Madrid waved goodbye to the first title on offer this season after an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final.
The first goal came from a mistake by Lucas Vazquez. The Galician gave the ball away just outside the penalty area resulting in Raul Garcia scoring the opener for Athletic Club. Things went from bad to worse, and it was a mistake from Vazquez again. This time the Spaniard gave away a penalty which Raul Garcia converted brilliantly.
Karim Benzema managed to score in the 82nd minute with time running out to grab an equaliser. In the final few minutes, Real Madrid attacked with everything they had but it was too little too late. These are our player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 7/10
Made a couple of fantastic saves in the first-half that kept Real Madrid in the game. Couldn’t do anything to stop Raul Garcia’s well struck penalty.
Lucas Vazquez: 3/10
Nightmare, that’s the best way to describe Vazquez’s performance. Made the mistake that led to Athletic’s opener before later on giving away a penalty. A night to forget for Lucas.
Raphael Varane: 6/10
If tonight’s result wasn’t bad enough, Varane coming off with an injury at half-time adds salt to the wounds.
Sergio Ramos: 7/10
Ferland Mendy: 6/10
Toni Kroos: 6/10
Casemiro: 7/10
Real Madrid have been mediocre over the past two games, Casemiro on the other hand has been brilliant. The Brazilian looks to have recovered his form from last season. Solid performance.
Luka Modric: 6/10
Luka has been Real Madrid’s best player this season, no doubt about it. Recently however, the Croatian looks to have slowed down and it’s understandable due to his age and the number of games he’s played. Not the best of performances.
Marco Asensio: 7/10
Karim Benzema: 7/10
Eden Hazard: 6/10
Substitutions:
Valverde: 7/10 – Came on to replace Luka Modric. The Uruguayan added some much needed spark and energy into Madrid’s midfield.
Vinicius: 6/10 – Came on to replace Eden Hazard but couldn’t do much to affect the game.
Nacho: 6/10 – Replaced Varane at half-time. The Spaniard did his job and he did it well.
Mariano: N/A
