Real Madrid Clásico ratings: Bale exasperating, Reguilón tireless
Real Madrid's fans lost patience with Gareth Bale in Saturday's Clásico defeat, jeering the Welshman off the field when he was substituted.
Thibaut Courtois:
There was little that Courtois could do about Barcelona's goal, with Ivan Rakitic lifting a lovely, dinked finish into the net. In the first half, the Belgian saved excellently from a shot by Luis Suárez, who was subsequently ruled offside, and from another less dangerous effort by the striker. In the second 45, the goalkeeper did well to narrow the angle on the Uruguayan in a one-on-one opportunity. He also kept out a late Philippe Coutinho chance for 2-0. In general, he offers a far greater sense of security between the sticks than Keylor Navas.
Dani Carvajal:
Carvajal struggled to make an impact going forward, despite regularly joining in the attack. However, he wasn't helped by the fact that he had Gareth Bale in front of him: he got very little change out of the Wales international. In defence, he was given a tough night by Ousmane Dembélé, who got in behind him several times, just as he had done to Sergio Reguilón in the Copa del Rey.
Raphael Varane:
Despite heading into tonight's Clásico not at 100% after coming away from Wednesday's game with a knee knock, Varane put in a good performance, making several key interceptions and generally keeping Suárez in check in what was not the Uruguayan's best display. The Frenchman had a chance to equalise near the end, but directed his header straight at Barça goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
Sergio Ramos:
Effective in the tackle, Ramos did take the odd liberty at the back that could have cost his side dear. A wayward arm in a challenge with Lionel Messi could have brought the captain a yellow, or even red, card. Later, he did go into referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco's book, meaning he'll miss Madrid's next LaLiga game, away to Real Valladolid a week on Sunday.
Sergio Reguilón:
With Reguilón performing at this level, Marcelo faces a tough task reclaiming his place in the team. Diligent in his defensive duties and constantly probing in attack, the youth product gives everything: he supports and combines with his team-mates, crosses at every opportunity and also sends the odd shot on goal, too. On several occasions, he had to deal with the threat posed by Messi, and did not betray his inexperience. Was involved in a confrontation with Suárez right at the death.
Luka Modric:
Madrid's best midfield performer, he put a real shift in but did not get enough help from his team-mates. He popped up dangerously in the Barcelona area on a few occasions, most notably getting away shots after two good pieces of play: the first was repelled by a timely Gerard Piqué block, before he sent the second effort, this time a header, just over the bar.
Casemiro:
Álvaro Benito wasn't wrong with his criticism of the Brazilian. The midfielder is not in good shape physically, and that has a major effect on how he plays, both with and without the ball. Messi took him on several times, and he had real problems trying to contain the Argentine. With a quarter of an hour remaining, Solari took him off for Isco.
Toni Kroos:
With his national coach, Joachim Löw, watching on from the Bernabéu stands, the German put in another loose display. He began well, winning a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the Barça area and, in the process, getting Sergio Busquets booked early doors. However, his influence waned. Lifeless with the ball, and equally sluggish without it. Solari replaced him with Federico Valverde 10 minutes into the second half, in a clear sign that the coach was not convinced with the 29-year-old's performance and wanted to inject greater intensity into the engine room.
Gareth Bale:
The Bernabéu has run out of patience with Bale, and he left the field to a chorus of jeers when he was substituted. Given a vote of confidence by Solari with his inclusion in the starting line-up, he did not take advantage of the opportunity he was handed. He offered no penetration in attack, delivering scarcely any crosses of consequence, and was - as is his wont - sloppy in his defensive duties. Solari hauled him off after an hour, sending Marco Asensio on in his place, and the reaction of the crowd was his just reward for a bad night's work.
Karim Benzema:
A poor evening for Benzema, who was slow to pull the trigger and lacked the spark that has been his hallmark in recent times. He fluffed an absolute sitter in the second half, although it would have been disallowed for offside anyway. An angled drive that flashed past the post in the first 45 was his most notable contribution.
Vinicius:
Despite playing significantly worse than in the Copa, Vinicius was once more Madrid's best attacker, but was again found wanting when it came to finishing his opportunities. Every time he is at the centre of a Madrid forward incursion, he is a headache for the opposition defence. Piqué largely managed to keep him well shackled, but the Brazilian still could have scored on a couple of occasions, and sent a number of balls into the box that Benzema could not get on the end of.
Federico Valverde:
Valverde came on for Kroos in the 56th minute, and Madrid benefited from the kind of energy that the German was unable to offer in his time on the pitch. He was not fazed by playing in the Clásico.
Marco Asensio:
Asensio came on for Bale on the hour mark. The decision to leave him on the bench and go with the former Tottenham man is hard to understand: in the 30 minutes that the young Spaniard got, he ran encouragingly at the Barcelona backline and got himself into crossing positions on both wings, albeit to no avail. He's in the right shape to take on a greater role; he just needs Solari to see that.
Isco:
Isco was thrown on for Casemiro with 15 minutes to go. He got a good reception from the home fans and, though he is clearly still finding his way back to full fitness after his injury, slotted in decently enough into a side desperately seeking an equaliser.