Matchday 13 results: Casemiro and Kroos rise to the top

Single reviewReal Madrid beat Atlético 2-0 thanks to a brilliant team performance. At the time of victory in the Madrid Derby, however, two midfielders stand out in the form of the scorer Casemiro and the assistants Toni Kroos. Winger Vinícius Júnior falls short of his expectations, while his offensive partner Lucas Vázquez remains one of the strongest targets. The individual review of the REAL TOTAL of the 13th day of LaLiga.

Starting XI

Thibaut Courtois

The Belgian did not concede the Real Madrid goal for the third consecutive year. Between the royal team positions, the 28-year-old goalkeeper radiated confidence as usual, but admitted he had a quiet Saturday night against his former club. Atlético only fired once in Courtois’ case for more than 90 minutes. The Los Blancos goalkeeper deflected a good header from rival Saúl Ñíguez in the 88th minute with a great save, and assured that it could not have been exciting in the final minutes. In short, a good performance from the 1.99 meter tall goalkeeper. TOTAL REAL-Note: 2.

Daniel Carvajal (until minute 79)

The right-back returned to the field after his muscle injury and was soon in the derby’s starting eleven. Recently represented by Lucas Vázquez, the 28-year-old made it clear what whites have in him. On defense, the Spanish international and his three fellow defenders ensured stability. With six out of ten games he won just over half and with 58 out of 69 passes he also showed his quality in building the game. Carvajal’s highlight of the night: his right-footed shot in the 63rd minute, which went off the post to Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak, landed in goal from there. TOTAL REAL-Note: 2.

Raphaël varane

The Frenchman helped Diego Simeone’s men barely manage to break through to Real Madrid’s goal on matchday 13 of LaLiga. With three of the four duels won, the world champion had a strong quota of duels. His passing game was also exemplary with 93 percent of the balls arriving. On top of that, the 27-year-old also tried long balls, of which six out of seven hit the man. A sure appearance of Varane! TOTAL REAL-Note: 2.

Sergio Ramos

In addition, the 34-year-old Andalusian maintained control of his teammates as usual and thus promoted the good base order that the whites had in the game. The royal team captain shot 77 times, his duel pace was flawless and his 94 percent passing accuracy was strong as well. In the 52nd minute of the game, the veteran missed with a free kick just over 16 meters from Oblak’s goal at the wall, yet Ramos seemed slightly less present than his fellow defenders. TOTAL REAL-Note: 2.5.

Ferland mendy

Will the French left-back start slowly but surely this season? After his strong debut season, the 25-year-old’s performance fluctuated at the start of the current season. Against the “rojiblancos” Mendy played again to concentrate. He kept looking for the way to go down the left wing. In dueling behavior he was robust with five of eight duels won and of his 61 passes, 58 came, one of which was a key pass. TOTAL REAL-Note: 2.

Luka Modric (bis 88. Minute)

At 35, the Croatian is at an advanced age as a footballer, but this has no impact on his performance on the pitch at the moment. Because the 2018 world footballer continues to play hard for Merengues, even against Atlético. With 84 balls of action, Modrić was one of Real’s most conspicuous players on the field. And that was also confirmed in terms of the passports received, 90 percent of which reached the teammate. Of his long balls, six out of seven were also successful. The experienced midfielder reassured his team between defense and offense on Saturday night. TOTAL REAL-Note: 2.

Casemiro

The Brazilian proved once again why he is so important to Real Madrid: an overwhelming 94 percent of his balls found their way to the man, and the midfield tank cleared four attack attempts from the guests. He also won the half with four of eight tackles and in the 15th minute of the game he led Ballet Blanche on the winning path early with his header. Casemiro was exactly where he was needed in the derby: with or against the ball. His fair but aggressive demeanor in pressure set the pace early in the game, making him one again. Leader without bandage. TOTAL REAL-Note: 1.5.

Toni Kroos

It was again one of those evenings that was created exactly for Kroos: With 109 ball actions he had the most for the Whites, with a 97 percent successful passing rate, of which two key passes were included, he was also the man most important in the game of the Real. In addition, the German international won six of eight games and set up Casemiros’ first goal from a corner. The entire Atlético team also had to nibble on the 30-year-old Greifswälder’s self-confident appearance, because Diego Simeone’s team rarely managed to get past the midfield of the real team. TOTAL REAL-Note: 1.5.

Lucas Vazquez

Your fighter’s heart is in the right place! After the Galician had repeatedly brilliantly represented Carvajal at the right-back position, Zinédine Zidane once again relied on the 29-year-old right-back against the Colchoneros. And this again did an exemplary job on offense. Vazquez benefited from 100 ball actions, 88 percent of his passes were received and his matchup rate was just as decent with eight of the 19 he won. The youth squad, whose contract expires in 2021, it should be noted that he continues to fight to stay with good performances. TOTAL REAL-Note: 2.

Karim Benzema

In his eleven duels at home with rivals from the city, the number 9 of the Real faced only once, and that in the February duel (1-0). On Matchday 13, the Frenchman, who eventually surpassed Roberto Carlos as a record legionary in his 528th appearance in the white jersey, was once again denied the opportunity to score. In the 10th minute of the game, the 32-year-old did not hesitate and brought a dangerous shot towards the goal, which Oblak was barely able to direct against the post. Afterwards, Benzema was unable to see many of his scoring chances and yet again and again acted as a passing point in attack, for example, putting Vazquez back in a promising position shortly before the end of the game. TOTAL REAL-Note: 2.5.

Vinícius Júnior (bis 79. Minute)

For the third time in a row, the 20-year-old Brazilian started at Real. Following his successful performances against FC Sevilla (1-0) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-0), the youngster again showed one of his least convincing performances on Saturday night. The left-back only received the ball 41 times, played 22 of 24 successful passes, but also lost the ball ten times. Except on his left wing, Vinícius did little. He failed to reserve a scoring opportunity in the Derby victory. TOTAL REAL-Note: 3.5.

Substitute players

Marco Asensio (ab 79. Minute)

The Spaniard entered the game for the remaining eleven minutes, but was only played seven times. The 24-year-old no longer influenced the game when the score was 2-0. Unrated.

Rodrygo Goes (ab 79. Minute)

With Asensio, Rodrygo also came into play in a double change. After all, he was still on the ball ten times, but he didn’t have enough time to focus. Unrated.

Federico Valverde (ab 88. Minute)

The 22-year-old Uruguayan recently missed six games following his shin injury. Against Atlético it was not enough for the starting eleven. But at least for a short two-minute deployment. Midfield talent is only slowly picking up. Unrated.

Coach

Zinedine Zidane

Zidane can be credited with the 2-0 victory in the Madrid Derby! The Frenchman left his starting eleven unaltered with respect to the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, with the exception of Carvajal, who went to the starting eleven, and Rodrygo, who went to the bench for the moment. And with this decision, the 48-year-old was right. “Zizou” put his team at Atlético in the best possible way, gave the instructions for a quick and constant pressure at the beginning of the match. As a result, the record champions of Spain quickly recovered the ball after a rare turnover and barely allowed Simeone’s team to gain access. In contrast, Los Blancos were simply effective, taking advantage of only three opportunities to score two hits. Zidane has successfully taken the pressure and put his players back on the road to success. The result: three wins in one week. TOTAL REAL-Note: 1.

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