Player Ratings: Real Madrid 2-0 Atlético Madrid – 2021/22
Real Madrid cruised to a 2-0 victory against Atlético Madrid on Sunday, extending their winning run to ten games across all competitions.
It was Atlético that started the stronger side, pressing high up the pitch and taking the game to the home team. Despite their bright start, Diego Simeone’s men failed to create any chances and they soon paid the price. Vinicius drifted to the right to get involved in play and this created the opener in the 16th minute, as he crossed for Benzema who produced an exquisite volley beyond Jan Oblak.
Simeone made a double change during the break, bringing on Joao Felix and Thomas Lemar. The introduction of the two attacking players swung the game back into Atletico’s favour, with the Colchoneros threatening an eqauliser. Just like the first-half, Atletico failed to take advantage of their dominance and ended up paying for it. Real Madrid sliced through the visitors to double their lead. Luka Jovic held the ball up well and fed it to Vinicius, who got his second assist of the night by setting up Asensio.
Thibaut Courtois was forced into a number of saves either side of Asensio’s goal, but Ancelotti’s men held on for a 2-0 victory to move eight points clear at LaLiga’s summit. Los Blancos are now 13 points clear of their city rivals and 18 points ahead of Barcelona. Sevilla remain Madrid’s closest challengers for now, at eight points behind. Our player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 9/10
Brilliant performance from Courtois who made 6 saves throughout the game. The Belgian put in a great shift and earned himself a deserved clean sheet.
Dani Carvajal: 7/10
Eder Militao: 8/10
Dominant in the air and excellent with the ball at his feet. The Brazilian put in another brilliant performance and there was nothing Atlético could do to get past him.
David Alaba: 8/10
Cool, calm and collected. Alaba didn’t put a foot wrong throughout his first Madrid derby.
Ferland Mendy: 7/10
Just like Modric and Casemiro, Kroos was central to Los Blancos’ attacks and put in a dominant performance in the middle of the park. It was simply too easy at times for the German.
Marco Asensio: 8/10
Karim Benzema: 8/10
Vinicius Jr: 9/10
Substitutions:
Luka Jovic: 6.5/10 – Came on to replace Benzema for the second-half. The Serbian played a big part in Madrid’s second goal and impressed with his movement off the ball.
Nacho: N/A – Came on to replace Carvajal late on.
Fede Valverde: N/A – Came on to replace Marco Asensio late on.
Rodrygo Goes: N/A – Came on to replace Vinicius late on.
