Real v Atletico player ratings as Bale starts well but is forced off

Andy West 01:25 30/09/2018
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  • Defences were on top as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid played out a goalless derby, and that’s reflected in our choice for man of the match as visiting defender Jose Maria Gimenez tops the ratings.

    But who else performed well and who failed to live up to expectations?

    Let’s find out with our player ratings.

    REAL MADRID

    Courtois 8 – Made strong one on one saves from Griezmann and Costa in the first half and looked confident in everything he did.

    Carvajal 8 – Prominent down the right throughout, arguably offering the game’s biggest attacking threat. Harshly booked for a challenge on Koke.

    Varane 7 – Smooth against French international teammate Griezmann and strong against the power of Costa. Never looked troubled.

    Ramos 6 – Suffered an early bang on head but delivered a typically wholehearted display, including his traditional yellow card.

    Nacho 7 – Very tidy game at left-back, doing a good job defensively and playing his part at the other end with some balanced attacking play.

    Modric 6 – Attempted to link Real’s midfield with attack but Atletico’s smothering defence made that nearly impossible. Fired wide with an ambitious strike.

    Casemiro 6 – Steady defensively, showing positional discipline to protect his back four. Blazed a decent chance miles over the bar.

    Kroos 7 – Kept things ticking over in the home team’s midfield and sprang forward to create their best chance with a precise pass to Asensio.

    Bale 6 – Bright in the early stages, volleying wide from a set-piece and fizzing a long-range shot at Oblak. Forced off injured at half-time.

    Benzema 6 – Similar to many of his recent performances, he wasn’t terrible but wasn’t good. Some whistles from fans when he was replaced.

    Asensio 6 – Charged down an Oblak clearance to nearly score in the first half and was denied in a one on one in the second.

    Subs

    Ceballos 7 – Replaced the injured Bale at half-time and moved onto the left wing. Sharp and bright on the ball in an encouraging half.

    Vazquez 5 – Introduced for Modric for the final ten minutes but had little opportunity to change the game in his team’s favour.

    Vinicius 6 – Made his long awaited debut in the dying seconds, replacing Benzema. Showed pace and skill but also some naivety.

    Thibaut Courtois

    ATLETICO MADRID

    Oblak 7 – Survived a scary moment when a clearance was blocked by Asensio, but later made a superb save at the same player’s feet.

    Juanfran 7 – Strong display from the veteran, who was solid at the back and delivered some dangerous crosses into the box. Booked for fouling Ceballos.

    Gimenez 9 – Fantastic performance, including a great block on Benzema’s shot and getting Godin out of jail with a brilliant recovery challenge on Asensio.

    Godin 6 – Generally solid but there was one major exception when he was robbed by Asensio on halfway. Currently well below his best form.

    Luis 7 – Had his hands full with Carvajal defensively, but was still able to regularly get forward and prompt danger with his classy left foot.

    Lemar 5 – Made a couple of dangerous dribbles, but was too lightweight both with and without the ball and was taken off before the hour mark.

    Saul 6 – Forced a save with a powerful early drive. After that couldn’t get forward as often as he’d like but worked hard.

    Rodri 7 – Very composed in front of the back four, showing admirable calm under pressure and a fine range of passing. Rose to the occasion.

    Koke 6 – Busy and hard-working down the left but unable to find the killer pass. Helped out his team with defensive diligence.

    Griezmann 6 – Perhaps should have scored his early 1v1 with Courtois and had no other opportunities, but worked hard and never stopped running.

    Costa 5 – Tried to stretch the home defence and had one chance on the break. Clumsy in possession and surprisingly subdued before being replaced.

    Subs

    Correa 6 – Came on for Costa, initially playing up front and then moving to the right wing. Had little impact going forward.

    Partey 6 – Introduced to bolster the midfield and did what he was supposed to do, making tackles and keeping it simple.

    Kalinic 6 – A bold substitution by Simeone for the final stages, but had no opportunity to use his physicality to trouble the hosts.

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