Atletico-Real player ratings as Benzema struggles and Ronaldo draws blank

Andy West 08:01 19/11/2017
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  • Benzema struggled for the Whites.

    City neighbours Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid grinded out a dull 0-0 stalemate on Saturday night, with Los Blancos losing yet more ground on Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table.

    Here, Andy West rates each and every performance.

    Do you agree with his verdict?

    Join the conversation and let us know – get in touch via Twitter and Facebook.

    ATLETICO MADRID


    Oblak 6: Twice did well to push away Ronaldo free-kicks but was lucky when he spilled a late shot from Kroos and it dropped to safety.
    Juanfran 7: Tested by the dual threat of Isco and Marcelo down his flank but coped with everything well, especially when he outpaced Ronaldo to stop a dangerous break. Little attacking impact.
    Godin 7: Flawless in defence, positioning himself intelligently to repeatedly get in the right place at the right time and avoiding mistakes by keeping it simple.
    Savic 7: Very similar performance to Godin, making several clearances and blocks through good positional play. Booked for an ugly lunge on Kroos.
    Lucas 8: The brother of Real defender Theo Hernandez was tigerish in defence and progressive in attack. Impressively composed in possession for such a young and inexperienced player and looks to have a big future. Made a brilliant late block from Ronaldo.
    Correa 7: Direct and dangerous running down the right wing and easily Atletico’s biggest attacking threat, but spoiled his performance by missing a great early chance, shooting wide from ten yards.
    Koke 6: Not really his type of game as Atletico faded from a bright start to lack fluency in possession. Worked hard but one of his less influential performances.
    Partey 6: Disciplined and diligent in the centre of midfield, but offered little attacking contribution and was replaced early in the second half.
    Gabi 6: Typically dogged display in the centre of midfield, maintaining his position to keep the team’s shape and snapping immediately onto any loose ball.
    Saul 6: Playing on the left of midfield, he always tried to drive his team forward and delivered a handful of dangerous balls into the box. Sent a speculative long-range strike narrowly over the top.
    Griezmann 4: Tough task leading the line by himself but lacked penetration, failing to show enough desire to attack the penalty box. Well below his best and replaced by Torres with 15 minutes left.

    SUBS
    Carrasco 5: Introduced early in the second half to give his team more attacking thrust, but failed in that task other than a shot deflected wide from a corner. Disappointing, and not for the first time recently.
    Torres 5: Replaced Griezmann and quickly had an impact by setting up Gameiro, but did little else.
    Gameiro 6: Came on for the last 15 minutes and almost scored immediately with a deft chip which Varane cleared off the line.

    Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Isco (L) vies with Atletico Madrid's Spanish midfielder Gabi during the Spanish league football match Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitan stadium in Madrid on November 18, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU (Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)

    Competitive: Isco and Gabi’s midfield battle was intriguing.

    REAL MADRID

    Casilla 6: Didn’t make a single save, with Atletico’s only effort on target being cleared off the line by Varane.
    Carvajal 7: Defended well against Saul and then Carrasco, and posed plenty of attacking threat on his return from injury. Rightly booked for a bad tackle on Lucas.
    Varane 8: Early error led to Correa’s great chance but recovered to give a great performance. Had fellow Frenchman Griezmann in his pocket and made a crucial goal line clearance to deny Gameiro.
    Ramos 6: Sent a brave near-post header wide, earning a bloody nose which forced him off at half-time. Solid during his 45 minutes on the pitch.
    Marcelo 6: Lots of possession down the left but often imprecise in his use of the ball, notably when he gave away possession and Correa should have scored.
    Modric 6: Subdued performance from the Croatian, who had been struggling with illness before the game and it told.
    Casemiro 6: Often served as a third centre back, playing very deep to protect his penalty area. Carried out that task well but a minimal presence going forward.
    Isco 7: At the heart of everything his team did in possession, receiving more touches than any other player. Spent more time on the left flank than usual but couldn’t fashion the breakthrough.
    Kroos 8: Impeccable in his use of possession. Stabbed a decent chance into the side-netting after a neat one-two with Ronaldo and troubled Oblak with a fiercely-struck long-range effort.
    Benzema 5: Largely anonymous and on the periphery of play, failing to link up with effectively with Ronaldo and replaced by Asensio. Continues to struggle.
    Ronaldo 6: Little involvement in his team’s build-up play but a regular threat around the box. Created a chance for Kroos, tested Oblak with a pair of dipping long-range free-kicks and had a couple of dangerous shots well blocked. The game’s biggest goal threat by far.

    SUBS
    Nacho 7: Half-time replacement for Ramos and slotted straight into the back four without fuss.
    Asensio 6: Came on for Benzema and looked more dangerous in 15 minutes than the Frenchman in 75. Pushing hard to become first choice.

    MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 18: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF reacts during the La Liga match between Club Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on November 18, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

    A frustrating night for the great man: Ronaldo.

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