Real Madrid player ratings vs RB Leipzig: Valverde, Asensio, Vinícius...

Real Madrid made it two wins from two in this season’s Champions League on Wednesday, beating RB Leipzig 2-0 thanks to fine goals by Fede Valverde and an under-fire Marco Asensio.

It’s a result that sees the European champions take charge of Group F, Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic’s draw earlier in the evening allowing Carlo Ancelotti’s men to move two points clear at the top. The victory at the Santiago Bernabéu also means Madrid have won their first eight games in all competitions this term - only the third time Los Blancos have managed such a start to a season.

Here’s how each player performed:

Thibaut Courtois:

Courtois was his usual self. The goalkeeper was Madrid’s best player in the first half, preventing Leipzig from taking the lead with an excellent save inside the first five minutes of the game. He even brought the Bernabéu to its feet with a neat change of direction with ball at feet on the edge of his area. In the second half, the Belgian had little to do.

Dani Carvajal:

Although it was a quiet performance from Carvajal, the right-back did manage to cut out two very clear shooting chances for Leipzig in the second half, when it was still goalless in the Spanish capital. He struggled to deal with the triangular passing patterns weaved by Christopher Nkunku, Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg.

Nacho Fernández:

The centre-back put in an imperious display from start to finish, snuffing out the forward forays of Werner and Nkunku. He gelled nicely with Antonio Rüdiger throughout the evening.

Antonio Rüdiger:

Together with Nacho, Rüdiger held the Madrid defence together against the attacking incursions of Nkunku and his former Chelsea team-mate Werner. Before the end of the first half, he had the chance to put Madrid ahead with a header that went wide. In the second half, he stopped a Werner counter by throwing himself to the ground and avoiding a one-on-one with Courtois.

David Alaba:

The Austrian spent the night on the left flank. On one of his numerous forward runs in the first half, he served up a cross that set up an opportunity for Eduardo Camavinga, but the midfielder sent his finish over the crossbar.

Aurélien Tchouaméni:

Always in position. Midway through the first half, his efforts to help out the defence prevented Nkunku from finding himself in on Courtois. Quick into the tackle and swift with his distribution from deep.

Eduardo Camavinga:

The Frenchman had Madrid’s first big chance of the match, but sent his effort over the bar. He held the midfield together with Tchouaméni and was replaced by Asensio just after the hour mark.

Luka Modric:

The Croat didn’t have one of his better days, but there were glimpses of his immense quality during the encounter. He tried his luck with his great strike with five minutes left in the first half, but the ball went wide. Shortly before the break, there were calls for a penalty after what seemed like a foul on Modric in the box, but the referee didn’t award it. He was replaced by Kroos after Madrid broke the deadlock in the 80th minute.

Fede Valverde:

Valverde was everywhere; he never tired of going up and down the right flank of the Bernabéu. After the introduction of Asensio, he shifted into the midfield three alongside Modric and Tchouaméni. He gave a display of energy and determination, and got the goal that put Madrid ahead late on. The team’s outstanding performer again.

Rodrygo Goes:

One of Madrid’s most active players going forward. Playing as a false nine once more, the Brazilian was at the centre of the hosts’ first attack of real substance after a quarter of an hour, but his shot went wide. In the second half, he tried his luck with a direct free-kick that went well over the crossbar.

Vinícius Júnior:

Vinícius wasn’t as electric or penetrative as we’re used to seeing him be. In the 71st minute, he had Madrid’s clearest so far with a one-on-one that was saved by Leipzig keeper Péter Gulácsi saved. Although he did not have his best day, the Brazilian supplied the assist for Valverde to open the scoring.

Substitutes:

Marco Asensio:

Replacing Camavinga in the second half, Asensio received resounding whistles from the Bernabéu as he entered the pitch, but went some way to placating the home crowd when his sweet strike from the edge of the area sealed the points for Madrid.

Toni Kroos:

Brought for Modric with 10 minutes remaining, Kroos supplied composure and control in the midfield during the closing stages of the match.

Dani Ceballos:

After starting against Real Mallorca at the weekend, the midfielder got a run-out for the final minutes against Leipzig, replacing Rodrygo in the 85th minute. He brought fresh legs to Los Blancos’ engine room.

Mariano Díaz:

Díaz came on for Vinícius in the 85th minute. That’s just about all you can say about the striker.