Player Ratings: Shakhtar Donetsk 0-5 Real Madrid – 2021/22
Real Madrid return to winning ways with a 5-0 thrashing of Shakhtar, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side move to second in their Champions League group level with Sheriff on 6 points.
The fourteen time European champions put in a five star display to beat the Ukranians. The opener came in the 37th minute after Shakhtar’s captain, Serhiy Kryvtsov, scored an own goal to give Real Madrid the lead. Vinicius Junior scored a quickfire double early on in the second half to make it 3-0 for Madrid, with his second being a contender for goal of the season.
Rodrygo made it 4-0 for Real Madrid around the hour mark with a well taken finish after being set up nicely by Vinicius. Karim Benzema just couldn’t miss out on the action and scored the fifth for Real Madrid with seconds left to play. The win will give the Spanish giants a big confidence boost heading into Sunday’s Clasico and will relieve some pressure off the team following their rough spell prior to the international break. Our player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 7.5/10
A very quiet night for Courtois. The Belgian was forced into one or two saves in the first-half but was never really troubled as Real Madrid controlled the game.
Lucas Vazquez: 8/10
Eder Militao: 7.5/10
Solid at the back. Shakhtar have a lot of pacy forwards but Militao was up to the task. The Brazilian was rarely troubled and looked fairly comfortable throughout.
David Alaba: 7.5/10
Solid performance from the Austrian just like his centre-back partner, Eder. Alaba was excellent on the ball and was key to building play out from the back.
Ferland Mendy: 8/10
Luka Modric: 8.5/10
Casemiro: 7.5/10
Another player that looks to have benefited from the international break. The Brazilian didn’t travel for international duty due to an oral infection and the rest he’s had because of that looks to have helped him out massively. Casemiro looked a lot sharper on the ball and was dominant in the middle of the park.
Toni Kroos: 8/10
Slowly but surely getting back to his best. The German was excellent on the ball and provided Madrid with a lot of control in midfield, something they’ve been lacking in his absence.
Rodrygo Goes: 8/10
Karim Benzema: 9.5/10
Vinicius Jr: 9.5/10
Substitutions:
Marcelo: 7/10 – Came on to replace Ferland Mendy. The Brazilian came on for just his second appearance of the season. Good to finally see him back in action.
Marco Asensio: 7.5/10 – Came on to replace Rodrygo. The Spaniard looked sharp on the ball and registered a brilliant assist for Real Madrid’s fifth goal.
Fede Valverde: 6.5/10 – Came on to replace Toni Kroos. The Uruguayan didn’t see much of the ball and the game was practically over by the time he came on.
Eduardo Camavinga: 6.5/10 – Came on to replace Luka Modric. Just like Valverde, the Frenchman didn’t have much time to make much of a difference with the three points already sealed for Real Madrid.
Jesus Vallejo: N/A – Came on to replace Militao for his first appearance of the season. Late substitute.
