Player ratings as Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio disappoint in Real Madrid's loss to CSKA Moscow

Tom Biggs 01:04 03/10/2018
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  • Real Madrid‘s run without a win stretched to four games after they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

    With Gareth Bale and Isco out injured, Julen Lopetegui‘s lacked guile and penetration in attack, as they failed to recover from a nightmare start in which Everton loanee Nikola Vlasic opened the scoring after just two minutes.

    Casemiro, Karim Benzema and substitute Mariano Diaz all hit the woodwork in what proved to be a game of attack against defence, with the hosts protecting their early advantage.

    Lopetegui’s men have now failed to score in three consecutive matches – the first time that has happened since 2007 – with Raphael Varane missing a glorious chance late on to salvage a point for his side in Russia.

    Real Madrid (4-3-3)

    Keylor Navas – 5: Had very little to do after picking the ball out of his net in the second minute. Made a smart stop from Jaka Bijol’s low drive in the second half. Could do nothing about the goal.

    Dani Carvajal – 4: His best moment came shortly before coming off injured, darting in behind the defence to meet a wonderful pass from Toni Kroos, but he failed with his final ball and did very little else.

    Raphael Varane – 4: Back at the scene of his summer success with France, Varane certainly wasn’t the player we saw at the World Cup. His indecisiveness allowed Vlasic to pounce, while he looked uncomfortable on the rare occasions in which the hosts did attack. Wasted his side’s best chance with almost the final touch of the game.

    Nacho – 6: Cleared up a couple of rare CSKA advances confidently, despite playing as the left-sided central defender. Looked far more composed on the ball than defensive partner Varane on the night.

    Sergio Reguilon – 5: It’s perhaps slightly harsh to compare Reguilon to Marcelo, but how Real Madrid could have done with the Brazilian’s penetration in Moscow. His deputy struggled to provide the quality needed from wide to break down a stubborn defence.

    Toni Kroos – 6: His extremely lax pass allowed Vlasic to hand CSKA the lead, but he was Madrid’s chief instigator thereafter, controlling possession and dictating proceedings. A lack of movement going forward prevented him from creating more for his side.

    Casemiro – 6: Hit the post just before the 30-minute mark and did well to win the ball back in advanced positions as Madrid looked to up the tempo, before being replaced by Luka Modric early in the second half.

    Dani Ceballos – 5: Kept possession well for Los Blancos, but played very few penetrating passes to open up the opposition. Drifted towards the left later on and it was from there that he saw his deflected strike almost find the far corner.

    Lucas Vazquez – 4: A very underwhelming display from the Spaniard. Struggled up against Ivan Oblyakov down Madrid’s right. Was hooked early in the second half with Lopetegui opting to bring on Mariano alongside Benzema.

    Karim Benzema – 5: With Bale and Isco both out injured, Lopetegui needed Benzema to step up. Handed the captain’s armband, the Frenchman saw a header hit the bar, but wasted a couple of good chances that he should have done better with.

    Marco Asensio – 5: Switched between playing from the left, the right and through the middle, but it just wasn’t his night. Had one long-range effort pushed away by Igor Akinfeev and produced some neat touches, but his end product was lacking on too many occasions.

    SUBS:

    Alvaro Odriozola – 6: Came on just before half-time and got forward well, but struggled to pick out a team-mate with his crosses. Produced a terrific block to deny CSKA on the counter in the second half.

    Mariano Diaz – 5: Would’ve been hoping to come on and make a similar impact to the one he did against Roma and almost did. Was unlucky to see his header come back off the post and had two other half chances late on.

    Luka Modric – 6: Just like Kroos, a lack of movement ahead of him made life difficult. Had a good chance late on as he timed his run into the box perfectly, but failed to get his header on target.

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