Player Ratings: Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo

Celta Vigo went down 3-1 to a spirited Real Madrid as Marcelo, Ronaldo and Danilo got on the score sheet for Los Blancos. Real Madrid played fluid, crisp one touch football in the first half and deservedly got their two nil lead. However, with Cabral sent off minutes into the second half, Los Blancos switched off completely and got complacent.

Led by the Brilliant Nolito, a 10-man Celta gave a virtuoso display and at times looked the better side with their late resurgence even earning them a goal. There was a high possibility that Celta might continue on their unbeaten run by staging one of the greatest comebacks in history but, a late strike from Marcelo ensured Real’s place at the top of La Liga for match day 9, unless of course Barca beat Eibar by a margin of 13 goals.

Real Madrid

Navas - 8/10

Madridista will thank their stars that Keylor’s transfer documents were not faxed in time. Navas put in a wonderful display in between the sticks and was called into action numerous times in the first half.

Yet again, he stood tall as the Costa Rican custodian made a brilliant save in the 43rd minute when he blocked a glancing header on goal, which was destined to find its target. He denied the Celta Vigo attackers time and time again but was eventually beaten for the third time so far this season as Nolito drilled his shot into the top corner.

Danilo – 8/10

Danilo gave a brilliant account of himself on the right side of defence as his marauding runs caused numerous problems for the Celta Vigo defence and the Brazilian looked to put in a cross whenever he could. He had a solid night at the back as well and won 5 of the eleven duels he contested.

He scored the second goal of the night and his first in a white shirt from a Jese assist. He did well to get into space as he lashed a strike across the face of goal to give Real some cushion on the score sheet. Saw yellow for a calculated foul on Nolito to stop a dangerous counter attack.

Ramos – 7/10

Ramos had a decent game at the back as he partnered Varane to keep Nolito and company at bay. The Spaniard did not attempt anything flashy, was reliable on the ball and circulated it well. Having the Spaniard in defence is always a plus for Real and he finished the match with 2 clearances and 4 interceptions to his name.

Varane – 7/10

Calm and composed, Varane had as good a game as Ramos. His long balls were crucial in launching swift counter attacks and a good performance in defence saw him come off with 6 interceptions and two tackles to his name.

Marcelo – 8/10

Marcelo provided an attacking outlet on the left and finished off a brilliant performance with a well taken strike just minutes from the final whistle. Over the years, he has developed an almost telepathic understanding with Ronaldo and it was on full display today. Ronaldo and Marcelo were heavily involved in the second goal and their combination opened up numerous attacking chances for Real. He had a good performance at the back as well and stopped a sure goal from Nolito with a last second clearance off the line.

Modric - 8/10

Modric brings a certain grace to the pitch and gave a great account of himself as he recycled possession well and also won 5 of the 6 duels he contested. There was an element of hustle in his play and his movement in the middle of the park carved up many opportunities in the final third. Coming off the back off an injury, the Croatian was replaced in the 80th minute by Nacho.

Casemiro – 8/10

The Brazilian was tasked with shielding the midfield and the ex-Porto loanee did just that. Casemiro won a whopping eleven of the 19 duels contested and his long balls found Los Blancos men in key positions. His passing was a bit off but, he often got into Keylor’s box to add an extra body in defence and that made a huge difference. He picked up the second ball on numerous occasions and launched it up field.

Kroos - 7/10

The German’s passing wasn’t to his usual standard but his presence made sure Los Blancos cycle possession well and play the ball with an air of urgency. Kroos successfully completed all six of his attempted long balls and won three of the eight duels contested. Overall, the German will be disappointed with his performance as he can deliver much more.

Lucas Vazquez – 7 /10

Vazquez has established himself in Rafa Benitez’s mind. Clever and industrious, the Spaniard troubled the Vigo backline with his intelligent runs and always tracked back to help Danilo out. He gave the assist for the first goal of the night and could have scored one himself but failed to put enough height on the attempted chip at Sergio. He successfully won 10 of his 12 attempted duels and that is telling of the contribution he made in defence.

Jese Rodriguez - 7 /10

Jese’s movement was cause of trouble for the Celta backline and the Spaniard assisted Real’s second goal of the night as he timed his pass perfectly into the path of the onrushing Danilo. Talented, industrious and having a great sense of positioning, Jese seems to improve a little each game with all the minutes under his belt.

Ronaldo - 8/10

The Portuguese hit man had numerous chances to score in the game and opened the scoring with a well taken strike from a Vazquez assist eight minutes after kick-off. The goal was an embodiment of Cristiano’s poaching ability as he positioned himself perfectly to get on the pass from Lucas. Cristiano was also involved in his side’s second goal and could have scored a brace had he kept his header on target after Marcelo put a brilliant cross for him to head home.

Subs

Denis Cheryshev - 7 /10

The Russian gave the assist for the fourth goal of the match as he brilliantly picked out Marcelo inside the box. He too could have scored but failed to put the right amount of power in his shot that was saved by Sergio.

Isco – 7/10

Isco made an immediate impact after coming on as he weaved his way through the Celta backline and put in a ball into the box. The play eventually led to a corner. The Spaniard was desperate to get among the goals and was unlucky to see his effort from the edge of the box palmed by Sergio into the woodwork and subsequently cleared away.

Nacho – N/A

The ex-Castilla player had very little time on the pitch to make a difference.

Celta Vigo

Sergio – 6/10

Sergio could do very little about all the three goals conceded as his defence let him down. However he made 2 great saves, one in the end to deny Ronaldo and another off an Isco effort which he palmed into the woodwork.

Hugo Mallo – 4/10

Mallo looked to put in a decent offensive contribution but largely ignored his defensive duties in the first half as he failed to track Vazquez’s run and that eventually led to the first goal of the match. Again, he was guilty of ball watching as Marcelo and Ronaldo had all the time in the world to weave an array of passes in a play which led to the second goal of the match.

He wasn’t anywhere near Marcelo to prevent him from scoring the third. The whole defensive unit failed, but Hugo should have done a lot more in defence today. Still, he averaged 4 clearances and five interceptions to his name.

Sergi Gomez - 5/10

Gomez made clearances, five interceptions and won six of the fourteen duels he contested. However, his tendency to stay back exposed the Celta defence to the pace of Ronaldo and Jese. Sergi will no doubt look to improve on his dismal performance in the next match.

Cabral - 3/10

Cabral was deservedly shown the first yellow for a lunge on Marcelo in the first half and managed to destroy all hopes of a Celta comeback as he got sent off in the second half for protesting a decision made by the referee to award a foul on Ramos. He was also at fault for the first goal and should have closed down on Ronaldo to prevent him from taking a shot.

Jonny – 5/10

Jonny was at fault for the second goal as he completely failed to track Danilo and gave him all the space and time he needed to fire home from close range. He did make 3 clearances and five interceptions in the game but his lack of awareness for the second goal made it very difficult for Celta to come away with a point.

Augusto – 6/10

Augusto failed to give a promising account of himself . He did complete 90% of his passes and delivered numerous successful long balls but should have got into his box a lot more to help out in defence, just as Casemiro did for Real all match long.

Wass – 6/10

Wass was incredibly unlucky not to score from the free kick half an hour into the game as his strike was palmed away for a corner by Navas. Wass should have been more involved in the game and was guilty of ball watching as Modric and Kroos ran the Celta midfield ragged with their quick passing in the first half.

Pablo Hernandez - 6/10

Hernandez was a potent aerial threat and was very unfortunate to see his goal-bound header saved brilliantly by Navas. He won six of his sixteen attempted duels but failed to bring any notable offensive spark into the game.

Orellana - 7/10

Orellana was a potent offensive threat throughout the match and had numerous chances to send the hosts one nil up in the first half, but saw all his attempts on goal thwarted by Navas. His trickery and pace did trouble the Madrid backline but he failed to make the most of his chances.

Nolito – 8/10

Nolito was Celta’s best player on the pitch and led their second half resurgence from the front. He beat numerous Madrid defenders time and time again with his arsenal of trickery and his blazing pace, and showed great desire to salvage a draw for Celta. His thunderbolt of a strike was beyond Navas’ reach and found the top corner much to the joy of the fans at the Balaidos.

Aspas – 7/10

The ex-Liverpool striker threatened the Madrid backline on numerous occasions but failed to put the numerous opportunities coming his way to good use. He should have shot on goal a little more as he had just two shots at goal in the whole game of which one failed to find the target.

Subs:

Nemanja Radoja – 7/10

Came into the game at the hour mark and gave a decent account of himself .He was heavily involved in Celta’s late resurgence and will surely be named a starter if his performances continue.

Planas – 6/10

Gave the assist for Nolito’s goal, but was quiet otherwise. He had very little time on the pitch to have a say in the proceedings.

John Guidetti - 5/10

Guidetti was a late substitute and had very little time to affect the proceedings. However, he was guilty of shooting wide over the bar in a bid to equalize when the more pragmatic option would have been to square the ball to Aspas who was unmarked.