REAL MADRID 1 - ATLÉTICO MADRID 0
Real Madrid 1x1 player ratings vs Atlético Madrid
Zinedine Zidane changed his tactics at half time and the introduction of the Brazilian was instrumental to Madrid's 1-0 derby victory.
Thibaut Courtois: A quiet-ish afternoon for the former Atlético stopper, who made a fine save to deny Vitolo and commanded his area well throughout, restricting Atlético to a single shot on target. Was grateful for the intervention of the post when Ángel Correa should have scored but added another clean sheet to his Liga record this season of 11, with only 10 conceded.
Dani Carvajal: After a lively first half the right back was somewhat hampered by a knock and generally lost out when going one-on-one with Lodi, who made more than double the number of tackles of any player on either side.
Raphaël Varane: As ever, Real’s last line of defence was swift to snuff out danger with his trademark cross-field runs and he was actively involved in attack, even if his one crack at the goal was not easy on the eye. In the air, he kept Atlético firmly grounded.
Sergio Ramos: Started the game as an extra attacker but both his efforts were very much the work of a defender, even if Ramos is a better forward than his skewed chances suggest. At the back he was unusually unruffled, making well-judged challenges and avoiding the referee’s notebook. Even when tempers flared, the Real captain was conspicuous by his calm demeanour.
Ferland Mendy: The Frenchman is growing with every game and as well as adding a little more defensive steel than Marcelo he is chipping in with some decent attacking work and provided a glorious assist for Benzema.
Fede Valverde: The sensation of the season is no longer Paul Pogba-lite but a full-fledged Real Madrid starter and the reason Zidane played five in midfield in the Bernabéu. He is simply undroppable on current form and covers so much turf that he practically operates in three positions per game. Added a bit of width to Madrid in the first half before moving inside and was constantly looking to turn defence into attack
Luka Modric: Not a vintage game from the Croatian, who struggled to get forward as much as he would like despite playing nominally behind Karim Benzema. Still, no Real player had more shots and only Benzema, with far fewer touches, had a higher pass completion rate.
Casemiro: The Brazilian was lucky to escape censure for bringing down Morata in the area, a more than probable penalty shout that could have altered the outcome of the game. But as he so often does, he made up for it with some last ditch tackles, energetic link play between the back and the more advanced midfield players and his usual eagerness to be involved in everything.
Toni Kroos: One of the sacrificial lambs when Zidane decided to opt for width at half time, the German had been pretty quiet in an unfamiliar role at the base of a five-man midfield where he was labouring under Casemiro’s shadow.
Isco: Crowbarred into the side to provide the intricate passing and sleight of foot required to break down Atlético’s defence, but it wasn’t the Spain international’s day. The traffic was too thick in his area of operation and Atlético’s ploy of pushing Benzema out of the middle left him with little in the way of accomplices. Made way at half time as Zidane changed the blueprint.
Karim Benzema: The Frenchman ended his run of five Liga games without a goal with his only chance of the game from his only run through the middle of the game. More reactionary forwards may have become frustrated with his lack of opportunity but Benzema bided his time and was duly rewarded.
Substitutes: Vinicius changes the game
Lucas Vázquez: Thrown into the fray at half time to doublé up on Lodi, Vázquez was instrumental in breaking Atlético’s defence down with his tireless running. He’ll never be a Ferrari, but when Zidne needs a dependable motor on the right he knows where to turn.
Vinicius: The sharp-eyed may have noticed Vinicius manage to miss Benzema’s high-five during the goal celebrations with a wry smile, but the raw energy and skill the Brazilian brings to party were key to victory on Saturday. Atlético were immediately less comfortable after his introduction and although he still lacks a cool head in front of goal – as highlighted by a tame shot when he could have fed the unmarked Benzema – his flicks, tricks and speed added a new dimension to a Madrid side who had looked pedestrian in the opening 45.