LaLiga 2017/2018: Real Sociedad 1-3 Real Madrid: Player Ratings

Borja Mayoral and Gareth Bale were two unexpected goalscorers at Anoeta on Sunday evening, as a weakened Real Madrid side travelled well in the LaLiga.

Keylor Navas made an error, but otherwise, Los Blancos put in a solid showing in the Basque region, beating Real Sociedad in an emphatic 3-1 victory

Here are the player ratings for both sides:

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Real Sociedad

Geronimo Rulli - 6/10

Was quick off his line to make a couple of good saves at opponents’ feet, but didn’t command his area all too well in the air. Could do little about the goals.

Alvaro Odriozola - 7/10

Alvaro Odriozola was solid in defense but there wasn't much he could do to stop Real Madrid

Used his pace and technical ability to great effect when haring down the right-hand side on the attack, but did find it tough to match Theo’s physicality. Great on the front foot.

Aritz Elustondo - 5/10

Struggled with the physical presence of Sergio Ramos in the build up to the first goal, and was caught a little short both for pace and in the air in different instances.

Diego Llorente - 6/10

An aerial threat from corner deliveries, and put his body on the line when required at the other end of the pitch too. Continues to stake a claim for a constant first-team place at centre back.

Kevin Rodrigues - 6/10

Tucked home a neat finish for Real Sociedad’s equaliser, and was unfortunate to score an own goal at the other end. Made a couple of great sliding blocks inside his own box, however.

Xabi Prieto - 6/10

Had a bit of a lax first half, by his own high standards, and struggled to have a telling impact on proceedings. Neat and tidy, but rather anything penetrative from the ageing playmaker.

Asier Illarramendi - 7/10

Illarramendi showed gritty promise

Calm and composed in possession, helping the hosts to play out from the back, but also dug in to rob opponents of the ball as a shield for his back four. Again, a classy showing in midfield.

David Zurutuza - 6/10

The game passed him by a little in terms of creating any opportunities for his teammates. Struggled to get tight to the likes of Modric and Casemiro in midfield on the defensive side of things.

Sergio Canales - 5/10

Went on a few mazy runs, occasionally winning a free kick in a good area, but largely struggled to provide any kind of end product from both in and outside the penalty area. A frustrating evening.

Willian Jose - 5/10

Didn’t get much service in good areas whatsoever, with Varane and Sergio Ramos having the fairly easy task of keeping an eye on the Brazilian striker.

Adnan Januzaj - 6/10

The former-Manchester United player continued to impress in the LaLiga

Showed what he could do in the form of several explosive darts upfield, getting to the byline or the edge of the box well, but his end product wasn’t quite present. Continues to impress upon arrival to LaLiga.

Substitutes

Carlos Vela - 6/10

Had a couple of half chances when coming in from the right-hand side, as Eusebio continues to try not to depend on the Mexican winger ahead of his January move to the MLS.

Juanmi - 5/10

Usually a super sub, but the former Southampton forward didn’t have any opportunities to pop up with a goal this time around.

Imanol Agirretxe - 5/10

Introduced late on, but the Basque striker didn’t have opportunities to grab a league goal upon his stuttering return to top-flight football after a lengthy injury absence.

Real Madrid

Real Sociedad v Real Madrid - La Liga

Keylor Navas - 5/10

Made a terrible error for the Real Sociedad equaliser, failing to get low down quickly enough to parry a low shot from Kevin Rodrigues. After that, he recovered, with not a great deal to do.

Dani Carvajal - 6/10

Wasn’t asked a great deal defensively, with Kevin spending the majority of his time pegged back after a hectic start. Dealt well with Januzaj, largely, using his physicality to his advantage.

Sergio Ramos - 6/10

Sergio Ramos was his influential self yet again

His build-up play was key for Borja Mayoral’s first goal of the night. A constant aerial presence in both penalty areas, with Willian Jose having a very tough night against the Real Madrid skipper.

Raphael Varane - 6/10

A comfortable evening for the Frenchman, who enjoyed playing with the majority of the game ahead of him. Real Sociedad didn’t get in behind him all too much, or find Willian Jose in the air.

Theo Hernandez - 6/10

Was tested regularly by the terrier-like presence of Odriozola, but Theo used his size well to ensure that the Basque wing back struggled to get the wrong side of him. Didn’t offer much offensively, but was solid at the back.

Luka Modric - 7/10

Controlled proceedings in midfield, sitting quite deep to allow for the likes of Isco and Marco Asensio to take up advanced positions. Calm and composed in possession as always, providing another consistent showing.

Casemiro - 7/10

Was fortunate to escape the first half without a booking at Anoeta, and was in the thick of it whenever asked to cover across to try and slow or stop a Real Sociedad break. Did a good job of breaking up play.

Isco - 8/10

Isco looked to be in fine touch as he setup Gareth Bale's goal

Floated about in midfield, finding pockets of space to cause problems for a Real Sociedad team that tend to leave themselves fairly open in between the lines. Provided a gorgeous assist for Bale’s goal.

Marco Asensio - 8/10

Saw a great finish ruled out for Bale being offside in the build up, which would have capped another exciting showing. Keen to drive with the ball at pace, causing all kinds of issues whenever La Real were caught high upfield.

Gareth Bale - 7/10

Clipped a lovely finish over the advancing body of Rulli to give his confidence a much-needed boost, but otherwise, the Welshman was fairly anonymous. Still looks to be an odd one out in the Real Madrid attack.

Borja Mayoral - 8/10

The 20-year old was responsible for Real Madrid's first goal of the night

Poked home the opening goal of the evening for Real Madrid, before a great run from the young striker resulted in a cross that Kevin Rodrigues poked into his own goal. Missed another good chance, but stepped into the Benzema void brilliantly.

Substitutes

Lucas Vazquez - 6/10

Denied at the near post by Rulli late on, with the former Espanyol winger determined to make an impact with his energy and running whenever injected into contests as a substitute.

Dani Ceballos - 5/10

Given a late run, after picking up a knock in Real Madrid’s final training session before their game at the Anoeta. Didn’t see too much of the ball in advanced areas.

Nacho - 5/10

Slotted in for the last few minutes in the Basque Country without incident.