Player Ratings: Real Madrid 1 - Alaves 2; 2020/21 La Liga

After a strong match in the Champions League, Real Madrid have a night to forget in La Liga. Alaves came to Madrid with a plan and executed it well. Zinedine Zidane’s side gave it their all but couldn’t find the goals.

See player ratings below.

Thibaut Courtois —5: Guessed right on the penalty but was an inch off from stopping it. Then quickly went from hero to zero. Great (and crucial) save on the 1-v-1 but gave the ball right to Joselu five minutes into the second half for Alaves’ second.

Lucas Vazquez —6.5: One of the better players on the night and that says a lot. Crosses into Mariano were pin point and made his presence known in the attack and defence. Kept pushing all the way until the final whistle. Highest pass completion (95%).

Raphael Varane —5.75: Not a terrible game. Had crucial blocks later on in the match but sometimes out of position too.

Nacho —5: Gave away the penalty after five minutes and performance went downhill from there. Somewhat at fault for Alaves’ second goal. Often left Varane on his own or had Casemiro cover his gaps.

Marcelo —5: In for Mendy tonight and needed to show his value but couldn’t make the most of anything. Not influential as the captain at all. Subbed after 69 mins.

Casemio—6.5: One of the only determined players tonight and the only midfielder to play the entire game. Did well to help defence and had offered himself as a threat in the box. Scored the team’s first goal. Finished with four tackles.

Toni Kroos —6: Looked unimpressed with the lack of energy as time went on. Great opportunity to level things himself but Pacheco came up strong with two saves. (Could have played it off to Mariano though). Visibly angry and earned a yellow for throwing the ball. Finished with two dribbles and four shots. Subbed off after 69 mins.

Luka Modric —5.75: Still showing the energy of a teenager but couldn’t find the magic to help the team. Kind of a mediocre performance. Subbed off after 69 mins.

Marco Asensio—4: He played? Barely touched the ball. Had some decent crosses after the half but nothing came from them. Subbed after 63 minutes.

Mariano Diaz — 5.75: Don’t think he could have done anything more. Just purely unlucky today. Three great chances in the first half and had a goal cleared off the line late in the match. Spacing was good throughout the match. Needs to find the back of the net though...

Eden Hazard— 5.5: Great run to test Pacheco and unfortunate not to get the penalty. Picked up a knock in the process. Subbed after 28 mins. Another huge injury concern.

Substitutes:

Rodrygo — 5: Came on for Hazard in the first half. Would have been nice to see him more involved. Had some strong interceptions (one of which led to Kroos’ opportunity).

Vini Jr — 5.5: On for Marco Asensio and tried to penetrate Alaves’ defence. Gets the credit for setting up the team’s only goal. Even though he didn’t finish it himself, his placement was good and in turn let Casemiro slot it home.

Isco — 5.5: Came on for Modric after 69 mins. Fresh legs helped the team keep more possession in the dying moments. Wasted the last minute free kick and hit the cross bar in the last second of the match. That would have been one hell of a tying goal.

Martin Ødegaard — 5: Came on for Kroos after 69 mins. Acted as the puppet master alongside Isco. Horrible pass which almost led to Alaves’ third goal but thankfully the team recovered. Nice passes and crosses to try and find players in the box.

Ferland Mendy — 5: Came on for Marcelo after 69 mins and tried to use his speed but was tracked well by Alaves for the most part.