Player Ratings: Racing 0-2 Real Madrid
Ok, I haven’t done this player ratings for a long time but I think yesterday’s victory was a special won, Real Madrid looked really solid away from home.
Casillas – 7: Called into action just once in the first half and was off his line to avert the danger. Similarly untested in the second period, but remained solid. Had a couple of saves in the second half but he cleaned up nicely every shot that Santander took at him.
Sergio Ramos – 8: Ramos as we know him. An invaluable outlet going forward, worked his man in that regard as well and was strong on the ground and in the air at the back – but always suspect positionally from time to time when he gets too far forward and is prone to the counterattack. In the second half, however, he stayed back in defence and was simply unbeatable.
Slowly, Ramos is looking like he is loosing some of his extreme fitness. I noticed him breathing heavy after some powerful runs forward, not that it’s strange but Ramos is very very fit.
Cannavaro – 7.5: Looking stronger game by game as he comes back to full fitness. His nightmare start in Spain looks all but behind him. One somewhat shaky moment as he chose to head a low ball that was easier to kick, but was otherwise formidable in the challenge and unfortunate to get booked.
But as we know, he is a year older than he was last season, so obviously won’t be ask quick and fit as he was when he was crowned the World Player of the Year, I mean, at the World Cup 2006, he was just killing every forward.
Pepe – 7: Still lacking a little bit of sharpness and looked like he could be exposed by the tricky nature of Racing’s forwards, but ultimately his physical presence and power kept him ahead of the game.
I love Pepe’s thinking about the game, he is a no nonsense defender and tries to take practical approaches on winning ball especially in the last two matches including this one. His pace is something he relies on very much when he tries to strip attackers off the ball.
Heinze – 6.5: Another one unfortunate to be shown the yellow card. Defensively solid in the first half, let nothing past him, but of course failed to provide much genuine width down the left as Marcelo has done in recent weeks. Was stretched in the second period upon Tchite’s introduction, beaten too many times and allowed too many balls to find their way into the box.
Higuaín – 8: Despite his promising showings up front, again shunted to right-wing this evening, but made a better fist of it than usual. His running caused Christian problems, though his dive in the area certainly could have been done without. Proved decisive as he darted forward superbly down the right hand side and played a cool ball inside to de la Red to finish for the opening and all important goal.
Diarrá – 7.5: Rock solid as ever, let nothing past him and helped organise the defence fairly well against the Racing counterattacks. A little wayward on the ball, but it is hardly his speciality or necessarily required of him anyway.
De la Red - 8: Justified his inclusion with defensive discipline and some strong long shots. Did not pass as well as he can, but made up for it by darting forward on the counterattack with his team-mates and showing a cool head to finish the straightforward chance presented to him to get the opening goal.
Guti – 7: Will be content with his half’s work. No end product to show for it, but with both de la Red and Diarra protecting him, Guti was able to play with a degree of freedom and made some good passes, as well as some smart set-plays. Unfortunately went off injured at the end of the first half.
Raúl – 7: Largely anonymous due to the nature of Madrid’s counterattacking game in the second half, and in the first he was defended against very well. Nevertheless linked up tidily when he was involved and made a crucial run to drag defenders out of position which allowed de la Red the space to score the opening goal.
Van Nistelrooy – 7.5: Like Raul, very much anonymous, but he showed good defensive work rate – particularly in the first half – and besides all that, scored a magnificent goal to kill the game. Chasing a ball down the left, he cut inside and somehow managed to deceive absolutely everybody and fire it home at the near post. Sublime.
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