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Real Madrid player ratings vs Real Valladolid: Fede Valverde, Brahim Diaz & super-sub Endrick put wasteful Kylian Mbappe to shame as La Liga champions stroll to first win of 2024-25 without Jude Bellingham.
When Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe go quiet, Real Madrid have to be able to turn somewhere. And on Sunday, in the middle of a poor Blancos performance, Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz stepped up to score a pair of crucial goals. Endrick then stepped off the bench to open his Real account and cap off a 3-0 win.
Madrid struggled for long stretches of the first half as they appeared to miss the presence of the injured Jude Bellingham in midfield. Mbappe showed flashes with neat runs in behind, and forced a tidy save from the goalkeeper with an acrobatic volley. Still, the home side finished the opening 45 minutes with just one shot on target.
As in their season opener, though, Los Blancos improved immensely after the break. Valverde eventually found the breakthrough, his deflected free-kick fizzing into the bottom corner – much to the relief of a restless Santiago Bernabeu.
It really should have been three or four with 15 minutes remaining. Mbappe missed a couple of good chances, while Rodrygo’s fluffed cross saw Vinicius Jr deprived of a tap-in. Eventually, substitute Brahim Diaz put the game beyond reach. Endrick buried an impressive third in second half stoppage time, giving Ancelotti’s side their first win of the season.
GOALÂ rates Real Madrid’s players from Santiago Bernabeu…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Made a couple of key saves to ensure that his side didn’t slip up.
Dani Carvajal (6/10):
Didn’t get forward much, and was caught napping on a few occasions. Not his best showing.
Eder Militao (8/10):
Assisted Brahim’s goal, won all of his tackles and headers. A real return to form.
Toni Rudiger (7/10):
Uncharacteristically sloppy at times. Gave Valladolid hope here and there.
Fran Garcia (6/10):
Stayed put in a shielding role and held his own at left-back.
Midfield
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):
Relished his 50-50 duels, and won his fair share of tackles. A classy display at the base of midfield.
Federico Valverde (8/10):
Full of legs in central midfield, and put out fires all over the place. Opened the scoring for his team
Arda Guler (7/10):
Enjoyed some bright moments in central midfield, and put three shots on target. Some of his link up play was lacking, though.
Attack
Rodrygo (5/10):
Made all of the right runs, but some of his quality on the ball was really lacking – highlighted by one poorly skewed cross.
Kylian Mbappe (5/10):
Wandered around a lot, and found space in the left channel. Will be frustrated that he missed a couple of good chances.
Vinicius Jr (7/10):
Lively as ever on the left. Created a few good chances, made his man look silly on multiple occasions.
Subs & Manager
Brahim Diaz (7/10):
Barely had a kick, and then put the game beyond reach with a wonderful goal.
Luka Modric (7/10):
Broke out the usual array of turns and tricks. A calming presence.
Dani Ceballos (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Endrick (7/10):
Buried his first Madrid goal in second half stoppage time. Should be a real confidence boost.
Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):
Handed Guler a start in the usual “Bellingham role”, and put out a rather attacking XI. Madrid were poor in the first half, much much better in the second. Not a sexy win, but a solid one.
Goal . com