Player Ratings: Real Madrid 3-1 Espanyol – 2022/23
Real Madrid come from behind to beat Espanyol 3-1 and cut the gap between them and LaLiga leaders Barcelona to six points.
Espanyol took an early lead through Joselu and were the much better side in the opening minutes. Espanyol’s lead lasted 14 minutes. Vinicius Junior equalised with a brilliant solo goal before Eder Militao gave the Spanish champions the lead 6 minutes before the break.
Real Madrid were never really threatened after taking the lead and were coasting for the majority of the second half. Marco Asensio bagged a third in stoppage time to seal the three points.
Player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 6.5/10
Not much he could do to deny Joselu’s brilliant finish. That goal aside, Courtois had a relatively quiet afternoon.
Dani Carvajal: 6.5/10
An okay performance from Carvajal who did everything he needed to without really standing out.
Eder Militao: 9/10
Brilliant performance from Real Madrid’s most consistent player this season. The Brazilian scored the goal that gave his side the lead with a brilliant header. Some of Eder’s passes today were ridiculous.
Nacho: 7.5/10
Solid performance from the Spaniard who started the game at centre-back and finished it at left-back. Nacho assisted Asensio for Madrid’s third goal after a brilliant run down the left flank.
Eduardo Camavinga: 6/10
Started at left-back once again. The Frenchman struggled against Braithwaite and was caught out far too easily for Espanyol’s opener. Clearly not a left-back.
Luka Modric: 7/10
Rodrygo Goes: 7/10
Vinicius Jr: 8.5/10
Substitutions:
Marco Asensio: 7/10 – Came on to replace Modric. The Spaniard scored Real Madrid’s third goal with a well-taken finish after being found by Nacho.
Antonio Rüdiger: 6/10 – Came on to replace Tchouaméni.
Dani Ceballos: 6/10 – Came on to replace Toni Kroos.
Alvaro Rodriguez: N/A – Came on to replace Vinicius late on.
