Player Ratings: Sheriff 0-3 Real Madrid – 2021/22
Real Madrid secured a place in the Champions League last 16 with a comfortable 3-0 win away from home over Sheriff on Wednesday night.
Sheriff shocked the world when they beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on matchday two, but there was no repeat here as Real Madrid got the job done with relative ease.
Sheriff started the game well but their resistance didn’t last long. David Alaba opened the scoring for Real Madrid on the half-hour mark after seeing his free kick divert past Georgios Athanasiadis via a Cristiano deflection. Ancelotti’s men really started upping the intensity after that goal and became increasingly dominant. Just before half-time, Toni Kroos doubled Madrid’s lead with a stunning finish from outside the box after being found by Rodrygo.
Just before the hour mark Los Blancos scored a third goal through Karim Benzema. The Frenchman finished nicely from outside the box after some great work from Ferland Mendy down the left flank.
The win sees Real Madrid book a spot in next February’s knockout stage. Los Blancos will fight it out for top spot with Inter on matchday six. The Whites are two points clear of the Nerazzurri as it stands, so they’ll win Group D with a draw at the Bernabéu on 7 December. Our player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 7/10
Pretty much a spectator having had to make just one save all night.
Dani Carvajal: 7/10
Eder Militao: 7.5/10
Solid at the back. The majority of Sheriff’s attacks were long balls and crosses which Eder handled with ease.
David Alaba: 8.5/10
Alaba looks like he’s been at Real Madrid for years. The Austrian put in another excellent shift and scored the opener with a well struck free-kick.
Ferland Mendy: 7.5/10
Luka Modric: 8/10
Casemiro: 8/10
The first time this season that Casemiro has put in two solid performances back-to-back. The Brazilian controlled proceedings in the middle of the park and barely put a foot wrong.
Toni Kroos: 9/10
Two assists against Granada on Sunday and a brilliant goal tonight. Toni Kroos has been in fantastic form since his return from injury and Real Madrid look a much better team because of that. Class performance.
Rodrygo Goes: 8/10
Karim Benzema: 8.5/10
Vinicius Jr: 6.5/10
Substitutions:
Marcelo: 6/10 – Came on to replace Ferland Mendy.
Nacho: 6/10 – Came on to replace David Alaba who picked up a knock.
Lucas Vazquez: 6/10 – Came on to replace Carvajal around the hour mark.
Marco Asensio: N/A – Came on to replace Rodrygo late on and nearly scored what would’ve a brilliant goal.
Antonio Blanco: N/A – Came on to replace Casemiro late on.
