Real Madrid started the new La Liga season with a big win and stamping their authority over Deportivo Alaves as they scored four past the home side and conceded from the penalty spot. Carlo Ancelloti is also off to a winning start in his second stint as the manager of Los Blancos but was not happy with the half performance.
The home side was more threatening in the first half but lacked composure in the final third. The La Liga giants started the second half with greater intensity, scoring 3 goals in 17 minutes and took the momentum away from Calleja’s men.
Here are our player ratings of Real Madrid for the match against Alaves:
Thibaut Courtois – 6
Courtois did not have much to do but was ready whenever called into action and quick to come off his line to clear the danger. He had few nervy moments in the goal and could not keep his clean sheet, conceding a penalty because of a sloppy pass by Militao.
David Alaba – 7
The debutant was very dominant on the left side and was very confident moving forward. Alaba for the night whipped in some good crosses and provided one late assist to Vinicius Jr. Alaba at few instances left spaces at the back while attacking.
Nacho Fernandez – 8.5
The Spaniard was a solid rock at the back with crucial blocks and good tackles to keep the Alaves players at bay. Nacho was the best defender on the night and got a rare goal to his name to add to his stunning performance.
Eder Militao – 4
Militao lacked sharpness in the first game of the new season. The Brazilian made some sloppy passes, one of them lead to Los Blancos conceding a penalty.
Lucas Vazquez – 5
The right-back for the night was not on the top of his game and found it difficult to sustain the attacks by Alaves, especially by Edgar Mendes. He put in a couple of good crosses.
Luka Modric – 8.5
The Croatian produced yet another masterclass in the midfield. He was calm on the ball with great distributions, picking out the right passes, and completed 3 dribbles, most by any Madrid player. He set up Nacho for the goal with a left-footed cross.
Casemiro – 6
The Brazilian was solid in the middle of the park, shielded the defence, and registered the highest number of tackles(4). But he also had 12 miss passes.
Federico Valverde – 6.5
Valverde returning from the injury had a quiet first half, but the Uruguayan showed his class in the second half with tackles, dribbles, and passes. He made a dynamic 40-yard run to provide Benzema an assist for his second goal.
Eden Hazard – 7.5
Hazard looked active in the game from the beginning and was much sharper than before. The Belgian linked up with Benzema at times and provided him with a sublime assist. This was certainly one of his best performances for Real Madrid.
Karim Benzema – 9
Karim Benzema picked up where he left off last season. The captain for the night scored a brace and was having a good linkup play with Hazard on the left side. He put in a fantastic performance and was indeed the King of the Match.
Gareth Bale – 6
The Welshman tried to influence the game but did not trouble Pacheco with his long-range efforts in the first half. He whipped in some good crosses, and his cross was fundamental in scoring the opening goal.
Substitutes:
Vinicius Jr – 7.5
The young Brazilian was very lively since being subbed in, in place of Hazard. He put the Alave’s defence under pressure with his speed and great footwork and scored a late goal by a cross provided by Alaba.
Rodrygo – 5
Rodrygo was not called much into action but was clinical in his touches and dribbling with a 100% passing accuracy.
Isco – N/A
Tried to link up the play but did not have much time to influence the game.
Marco Asensio – N/A
Asensio was one of the late substitutions and was hardly seen on the ball.
Luka Jovic – N/A
Jovic came in very late for Karim Benzema and barely touched the ball.
