Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Atalanta on Wednesday in their first round of the Champions League round of 16, with Ferland Mendy succeeding on his only shot. The goal came at the last minute and put Los Blancos in the driver’s seat to advance to the quarterfinals when they play their second game in March.
But how did each player fare in this one? Here are our player ratings for the game for each starter, replacement and manager.
All ratings are out of ten, and the higher the number, the better. A zero is a red card from the first minute. A 10 would be like a dominant hat trick.
Atalanta
GK Pierluigi Gollini
He was not too busy, and he was struck by a fantastic strike. Did all the others do well, but could he have done better on goal? His line of sight looks blocked.
Rating: 5
DEF – Berat Djimsiti
Positioning could have been better, but the effort was there. He also did well to eliminate danger and was strong in the air.
Rating: 6
DEF – Cristian Romero
Positioning was good, recovered the ball well, but sometimes had problems with Real’s technical ability. Won most of his duels and intercepted the ball five times.
Rating: 7
DEF – Rafael Toloi
A rock at the back that does a bit of everything. He was strong in his tackles, did not hit in the air and really helped to stop a few runs on goal.
Rating: 7
DEF – Robin Gosens
A threat to defense. He was one of the strongest players on the field and could not be beaten when he was challenged one on one.
Rating: 8
DEF – Joakim Maehle
Hustled, but his passing was very weak. It always seemed like I needed an extra touch to be comfortable. Had his team the best chance, but it was not even a good chance.
Rating: 5
MID – Remo Freuler
He got a red card after only 17 minutes for a challenge, and it was hard to be fair. He did not deserve to be sent off the field, and now he has to miss the second leg. Unfortunately for him,
Rating: N / A
MID – Marten de Roon
With Real dominating the ball, he never really got going and he only hit 46. He also never got ahead, and managed to complete one pass in last third place.
Rating: 5
MEDIUM – Matteo Pessina
The task of being the creative playmaker in the middle did not create any opportunities. So, you tell me how his day went.
Rating: 4
FWD – Luis Muriel
The decline in ten men hampered his opportunities, and he lasted just 56 minutes before being sacked. It was just one of those days.
Rating: 4
FWD – Duvan Zapata
He suffered a concussion in the first half and was muted after only 30 minutes.
Rating: N / A
SUB – Mario Pasalic
Played 60 minutes and did a decent shift.
Rating: 6
SUB – Josip Ilicic
Was on for half an hour and did not even look at the goal before taking off. Not good.
Rating: N / A
SUB – Ruslan Malinovskyi
Let sub
Rating: N / A
SUB – Jose Palomino
Another late sub.
Rating: N / A
MANAGER – Gian Piero Gasperini
Red card only torpedoed the team’s attacking plan. A 0-0 draw would have taken everything into account, but now they have their backs against the wall. Yet they are more than capable of reversing the slim deficit. It was not so bad, but the referee did them no favors.
Rating: 5
Real Madrid
GK – Thibaut Courtois
He saved as much as you and I did. A spectator for almost all of the 90 minutes and had only one corner to worry about.
Rating: 5
DEF – Ferland Mendy
The hero with his second goal of the season, takes it well. He came forward a lot and seemed alive early on, but no one saw that goal coming. What a hit.
Rating: 8
DEF – Nacho
Had nothing but he created a very dangerous chance in the attack. He just had to keep an eye on his fellow center in this one because it was not a difficult shift.
Rating: 5
DEF – Raphael Varane
Strong as usual, though he was not much challenged. Had 12 repairs, but did struggle a bit in the air with Atalanta’s height, even though it meant nothing.
Rating: 7
DEF – Lucas Vazquez
Not a natural defender; his pace and effort stretch a lot. Missed some challenges badly but did more than bad.
Rating: 5
MID – Toni Kroos
The best chances created were almost perfect in his demise and really helped get the attack going after a slow start.
Rating: 7
MIDDEL – Casemiro
Very strong in the middle, and recommends the game on both sides. He also had some creative moments, but his demise in the last third was a bit off.
Rating: 6
MID – Luka Modric
The Croatian star got the help and created four chances. He completed almost 93 percent of his passes and looked good himself, and he only missed a chance in the second half.
Rating: 7
FWD – Vinicius Jr.
He left his shoes in Madrid. Had two shots and should have fared better. Was taken out after 57 minutes.
Rating: 5
FWD – Isco
Played the role nine in the fake and did OK. He created a dangerous opportunity, made a couple look for themselves and made a good effort to be an ideal situation.
Rating: 6
Marco Asensio – FWD
Created almost nothing and wasted a very good free kick in the second half. 76 minutes played before taking off.
Rating: 5
SUB – Mariano Diaz
Ask me how he feels he is the only healthy attacker Isco is even starting before him. Give recognition to his professionalism and his effort, but he never came close to making an impact.
Rating: 5
SUB – Hugo Duro
Leave substitute.
Rating: N / A
SUB – Sergio Arribas
Another late sub.
Rating: Nvt
MANAGER – Zinedine Zidane
It was not pretty, but it was enough, despite a strange setup. The 0-0 draw would have been solid, but the 1-0 win is a very good result and it is very happy. But beware, because this one is not even close to it. Zidane knows this, but this result sets them up nicely.
Rating: 7