Player Ratings: Real Madrid 3-0 Alavés – 2021/22

Real Madrid bounced back from their disappointing performance in Paris with a 3-0 win at home against Alavés on Saturday.

Before tonight’s game, Real Madrid scored just one goal in their last four games and it looked like that would continue after a dull and goalless first-half. However, Madrid came out for the second-half as a different team. Asensio opened the scoring shortly after the break with his trademark finish, cutting in from the right and finding the top corner of the net.

Minutes later, Karim Benzema came agonisingly close to scoring a second with his shot coming off the post. Real Madrid kept going and eventually scored the second. Benzema teed-up Vinicius after some brilliant build-up play between the Frenchman, Asensio and Valverde.

Los Blancos weren’t done yet. Rodrygo was brought down in the area during added time and Karim Benzema made no mistake from the spot, capping off a brilliant second-half showing. The win sees Ancelotti’s men move seven points ahead of second-placed Sevilla who play against Espanyol on Sunday. Our player ratings:

Starting XI:

Thibaut Courtois: 7/10

A very quiet afternoon for the Belgian who was barely tested throughout the ninety minutes.

Dani Carvajal: 7/10

A lot more like the Carvajal we’ve come to expect. The Spaniard was up and down the pitch all night and provided Madrid with a lot of width down the right.

Eder Militao: 7/10

Solid shift from Militao. The Brazilian was far less busy compared to the game in Paris and even got involved in attack at times.

David Alaba: 7/10

Had a nervy moment in the second-half which Luis Rioja couldn’t capitalise on but overall it was a very comfortable evening for the Austrian.

Ferland Mendy: 7/10

Second successive start since returning from injury. The Frenchman didn’t have much defending to do which enabled him to play higher up the pitch, helping out Vinicius in attack.

Luka Modric: 7.5/10

Back to his usual self tonight. Modric was the source of positivity in the middle of the park and the Madrid fans acknowledged that, treating the Croatian to a standing ovation upon his substitution.

Casemiro: 7/10

Not the most convincing of performances but the Brazilian looked solid enough without being overly flattering.

Fede Valverde: 7.5/10

The only change in the lineup from the defeat against PSG. Stepping in for Toni Kroos, Valverde was bright and his ability to drive forward with the ball helped his team a lot, especially in the second-half.

Marco Asensio: 7/10

Scored the opener with a trademark piledriver from the edge of the box. Despite scoring, the Spaniard wasn’t as involved as he would’ve liked but he will delighted with the goal which was his 7th in LaLiga this season, a new personal best.

Karim Benzema: 9/10

It was Benzema’s sensational second-half performance that enabled Real Madrid to win so handsomely. The Frenchman was back to his best, assisting both Asensio and Vinicius’ goals before scoring a goal of his own from the penalty spot.

Vinicius Jr: 7/10

Things didn’t go too well for Vinicius in the first-half but the Brazilian isn’t one to give up. Vini put in a much improved performance in the second-half, scoring the second goal and looking a lot more like his usual self.

Substitutions:

Rodrygo Goes: 7/10 – Came on to replace Modric and won the penalty which Benzema converted.

Dani Ceballos: N/A – Came on to replace Asensio with 10 minutes remaining.

Eden Hazard: N/A – Came on to replace Vinicius late on.

Marcelo: N/A – Came on to replace Mendy late on.

Lucas Vazquez: N/A – Came on to replace Carvajal late on.

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 3-0 Alavés – 2021/22

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