Real Madrid: Player Grades in El Clasico - A Tale of Two Halves
It was a rollercoaster of emotions for Real Madrid fans in the latest El Clasico clash against Barcelona. The first half was a disaster, leaving many wondering if they'd witnessed a repeat of their 4-0 thrashing at the Bernabeu earlier in the season. However, a second-half resurgence led to a thrilling 2-1 comeback win, proving that this Real Madrid team is anything but done.
Let's dive into the individual performances and hand out some grades:
Goalkeepers
Courtois (6/10): Thibaut was largely a spectator in the first half as Barca dominated possession and created chances. He was caught out of position for the opening goal, but redeemed himself with a few key saves in the second half, preventing a bigger deficit.
Defense
Carvajal (5/10): Dani struggled to contain the threat of Dembele on the right flank. He looked shaky throughout the first half and was lucky not to concede a penalty for a clumsy challenge. He did offer some better attacking play in the second half.
Militao (7/10): Éder was a rock in the heart of the Real Madrid defense. He had a particularly tough time against the lively Lewandowski but held his own against the relentless pressure.
Rüdiger (6/10): Antonio had a mixed performance. He was solid defensively, but didn't quite replicate his recent form. He got caught out of position a few times but recovered well.
Alaba (5/10): David had a frustrating first half, struggling to deal with the pace of Barca's attackers. He improved in the second half, but his performance was a far cry from his usual high standards.
Midfield
Modrić (7/10): Luka was a calming presence in the midfield, dictating the tempo and creating chances. He wasn't his usual energetic self, but he showed his class with a couple of brilliant passes, including the assist for the winning goal.
Tchouaméni (7/10): Aurélien put in a dominant display, winning tackles and shielding the defense. He was crucial in helping Real Madrid regain control in the second half.
Kroos (6/10): Toni started the game brightly, but he seemed to fade in the second half. He contributed defensively but was less influential offensively.
Attack
Valverde (7/10): Fede was a constant threat down the right flank. He provided the vital assist for the first goal and his tireless running and energy were key to Real Madrid's second-half revival.
Vinicius Jr. (8/10): Vinicius was electric, causing havoc for the Barcelona defense. His pace and dribbling skills were a constant threat, and he got rewarded for his efforts with a well-taken goal.
Rodrygo (6/10): Rodrygo came on as a substitute and made a positive impact, creating chances and adding dynamism to the attack.
Substitutes
Camavinga (7/10): Eduardo came on and injected pace and energy into the midfield, he was instrumental in the second-half comeback.
Asensio (6/10): Marco added a creative spark to the attack, playing some clever passes and creating opportunities.
Overall, Real Madrid's performance was a testament to their resilience. They fought hard, turned things around, and emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter. While the first half was a nightmare, their second-half display showcased the true spirit of Real Madrid: never give up.