Player Ratings: Real Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo
Real Madrid kicked off the new year with a comfortable 2-0 win against Celta Vigo at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium. Real Madrid started the game brilliantly with Vazquez heading in a cross from Asensio after just six minutes.
Real Madrid moved up a gear in the second-half and quickly doubled their lead. Lucas and Asensio combined once again with the former assisting the latter. The win sees Real Madrid move one point ahead of Atletico Madrid who have three games in hand. These are our player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 7/10
A relatively quiet night for the Belgian. Celta had the majority of possession but never really tested Courtois.
Dani Carvajal: 7/10
Solid performance from Dani. The right-back constantly looked to attack and came close to scoring with a great volley. Carvajal will miss Real Madrid’s next match after picking up his fifth yellow card in LaLiga this season.
Raphael Varane: 7/10
A decent performance from the Frenchman who looked relatively comfortable despite Ramos not playing. Solid.
Nacho: 9/10
Ferland Mendy: 7/10
Toni Kroos: 7/10
Started the match slowly with Celta dominating possession in the first-half. Grew into the game in the second-half with Real Madrid dominating more of the game.
Casemiro: 7/10
With Celta dominating possession, Casemiro had a busy first-half. The Brazilian was comfortable on the ball and broke up play when required.
Luka Modric: 8/10
Constantly defying all laws of human nature. The 35-year old Croatian put in another fantastic performance in midfield and is showing no signs of slowing down. Incredible.
Lucas Vazquez: 9/10
Karim Benzema: 7/10
Marco Asensio: 9/10
Substitutions:
Eden Hazard: 6/10 – Hazard came on to replace Asensio with fifteen minutes left. Zidane is being very cautious with the Belgian as he looks to regain fitness.
Odegaard: 6/10 – Came on to replace Modric with five minutes left.
Vinicius: 6/10 – Came on to replace Carvajal with very little time left.
Valverde: 6/10 – Just like Odegaard and Vinicius, Valverde had little time on the pitch. The Uruguayan replaced Toni Kroos.
Mariano: N/A
