'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid started their 2021-22 La Liga campaign with a convincing 4-1 win away at Deportivo Alaves on Sunday night. The visitors — who lined up for the first time without their captain Sergio Ramos — also did not have Toni Kroos, Ferland Mendy, and Dani Carvajal in the team. Los Blancos did take a while to get going, but a brace from Karim Benzema and a goal each from Nacho and Vinicius Jr made sure Carlo Ancelotti’s second stint kicked off with a bang.
Today, we will take a look at how the Real Madrid players fared in their first La Liga game of the season, ranking the top 5 best performers from La Liga's gameweek 1. Now, without further ado, here is a look at the
Top 5 performers for Real Madrid in their first match of the 2021-22 La Liga campaign
#5 Nacho
Without Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane to lead the defense, Real Madrid are in desperate need of dependable centre-backs. Nacho, who looks set to be a regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s side, made sure to put in a reassuring performance.
Trending
The Spaniard was confident on the ball and did not allow Alaves much wiggle room. The penalty Real Madrid conceded was not down to Nacho’s individual error, and he could not do much about it. The goal Nacho scored from Luka Modric’s intuitive cross showed plenty of initiative — something Real Madrid are in dire need of in the absence of their former captain.
Nacho has started the season in the best possible way — with a solid defensive performance and a well-scored goal. Real Madrid are likely to count on the stalwart again for their next outing at Levante, and for the remainder of the season.
#4 Eden Hazard
After failing to win over his critics in the last two seasons, Real Madrid’s biggest ‘Galactico,’ Eden Hazard kicked off his third season by featuring in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI on Sunday night.
Hazard lined up on the left side of the pitch and made some menacing runs down that channel, putting Martin Aguirregabiria under pressure. He also dropped deep from time to time, providing support to Real Madrid’s three-man midfield. His combinational play with Real Madrid’s attacker-in-charge, Karim Benzema, was commendable.
The former Chelsea man created the most chances (4) in the match, which is encouraging news for Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid. Hazard’s best moment of the match came just after half-time when he set up Karim Benzema with a cheeky flick-up inside the box. The Frenchman converted, of course, giving Real Madrid a 1-0 lead.
#3 David Alaba
Real Madrid’s only signing in the ongoing summer transfer window so far is David Alaba, who made his official debut for the Spanish giants away at Deportivo Alaves. Much to the club's relief, the Austrian put on an impressive show.
Carlo Ancelotti fielded his XI without Real Madrid captain Marcelo, which allowed David Alaba to start on his preferred left side of the pitch. The left-back did not waste any time adjusting to Real Madrid’s style of play and looked at home right from the very beginning. He cut inside, ran along the left-hand-side channel, and combined brilliantly with Eden Hazard.
Alaba marked his Real Madrid debut with a solid assist. In the dying minutes of the match, Alaba’s cheeky chip into the six-yard box found Vinicius Jr.’s head, who thumped it home to score the fourth Real Madrid goal of the night.
#2 Luka Modric
A four-time UEFA Champions League winner, a two-time La Liga winner, a Ballon d’Or winner, and a FIFA World Cup finalist — Luka Modric has pretty much done it all in his career. Yet, he is hungry for more. He is still just as determined to put in a shift.
With Toni Kroos ruled out, Luka Modric lined up with Federico Valverde and Casemiro in midfield. As expected, Luka Modric spent the night pulling the strings from the middle of the pitch, dictating the tempo of the game. Not only did he complete the most passes (75), but he also was Real Madrid’s best dribbler (3) on the pitch.
He topped off the night with an inch-perfect ball for Nacho, who slotted it home effortlessly to double Madrid’s advantage in the 56th minute.
#1 Karim Benzema
Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018, Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid’s knight in shining armor. Not only has he been an excellent goal-scorer on the pitch, but he has also been an exemplary leader for the youngsters.
On Sunday night, he once again showed why he is rated so highly by fans and rivals alike, scoring a brace in the opening game of the season. He spent a long time licking his lips in the first half, and finally got the opportunity to pounce in the second half.
His first goal came just three minutes after the restart. Lucas Vazquez fed the ball to Eden Hazard inside the box, who cleverly turned it in for Benzema. The Real Madrid number 9 made no mistake in converting the golden opportunity.
His second goal came just after the hour mark, thanks to a spirited run by midfielder Fede Valverde. Valverde’s ball found Benzema inside the area, but the strike was well-blocked by Fernando Pacheco. Sadly, the rebound fell to Benzema, and the Frenchman made no mistake putting Real Madrid three goals up.
