Real Madrid laboured to a 1-0 victory at little old Huesca on Sunday evening, with one moment of brilliance from Gareth Bale deciding the game.
Los Blancos hit the target just as many times as the minnows (4) and only Thibaut Courtois, as well as some desperate defending, ensured they went home with the three points and rose to fourth in La Liga.
So who flopped and who, if anyone, fired? Read our ratings below.
REAL MADRID (4-3-3)
Thibaut Courtois – Surprisingly the busier of the two keepers for the most part. Made a few smart saves, particularly from David Ferreiro in the second half, but none that truly taxed the Belgian. 7
Alvaro Odriozola – Pinged the ball over that Bale dispatched for the winner but that should not excuse him for his lack of defensive diligence. Allowed far too many crosses into the box when he was tasked with locking down the right-hand side. 5
Raphael Varane – Would not have expected to be called into action quite this much ahead of the game. Solid but allowed Cucho Hernandez to turn him too easily in what should have been a late equaliser. 6
Sergio Ramos – When the going gets tough, Ramos gets tougher. Ramos stuck his foot in on numerous occasions to compile four tackles, seven clearances and two interceptions, and relieved some pressure with numerous pinpoint long passes out of defence. 8
Dani Carvajal – The latest Marcelo fill-in down the left had an uncomfortable evening. Picked up a yellow for a stray arm that the Huesca man made the most of, and understandably did not produce any of his usual industry in attack on his wrong side. 5
Marcos Llorente – The only midfielder starter to last the whole 90 and it was easy to see why. Relished the security guard shift – registering a team-high eight clearances – and recycled the ball wisely. There’s no need for Solari to run Casemiro into the ground if Llorente continues to come into his own. 7
Dani Ceballos – Had the trust of Julen Lopetegui and has also quickly won over Santiago Solari, but this wasn’t his night. Just a 72 pass completion percentage before being removed and it was mainly the short stuff from which he coughed up possession. 5
Luka Modric – This was hardly a golden performance from the Ballon d’Or winner. Made only the seventh-most touches of any Real player by the time he came off. Peripheral doesn’t go far enough. 4
Lucas Vazquez – The star performer in the last league outing against Valencia was only conspicuous by his wastefulness here. Somehow completely missed a header from point-blank range, saw a tame shot blocked in a promising position and made several sloppy touches. 4
Karim Benzema – Didn’t do much wrong … but in truth, didn’t do much at all. His link-up play is his saving grace in this Real side and with that now largely missing, his time at Madrid is surely coming to a close. 5
Gareth Bale – There was no doubt as to who was the best player on the park. It was essentially a one-on-one duel between him and Huesca stopper Aleksandar Jovanovic, and without the Serbian’s interventions it could have been a hat-trick. As it was his only goal was a wonderfully taken volley. 8
SUBSTITUTES
Fede Valverde (57′) – Much like Ceballos, struggled to get to grips with the game and only made 14 passes in the 30+ minutes he was on the pitch. 5
Isco (65′) – Sumptuous pass to Bale for a chance that could have have put the game to bed. Markedly more effective than Modric. 6
Marco Asensio (76′) – Madrid lost their outlet when Asensio came on for Bale and, while it wasn’t entirely the Spaniard’s fault, it was another low point in a season full of them. 5
