Real Madrid showed no signs of weakness at the José Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid this Saturday during Matchday 21 of La Liga. Thanks to a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé (30th, 57th, and 90+1), Carlo Ancelotti’s men secured all three points and maintained their position at the top of the table with 49 points (four points ahead of Atlético Madrid).
The Madrilenian player ratings
Thibaut Courtois (7)
A solid match for the Belgian giant. Called into action early in the game, Courtois delivered a fine save with an excellent hand to divert a goal-bound shot. Throughout the match, Real Madrid’s number one was reliable when required. Nothing to criticise for Thibaut, who showed little “courtesy” towards Real Valladolid’s forwards.
Antonio Rüdiger (6.5)
As experienced as ever, Rüdiger once again displayed his expertise. In a game with limited challenges from Valladolid’s attackers, the former Chelsea defender did exactly what was needed for his team. Another calm evening for the German rock.
Aurélien Tchouaméni (6.5)
Returning from injury, the French midfielder operated in an unfamiliar position. Although he couldn’t influence the midfield as he usually does, Tchouaméni handled his defensive duties effectively in this new role. He made some timely interventions on the opposition’s advances, though there wasn’t much else to highlight from the former AS Monaco player’s performance.
Fran García (6.5)
A decent match for the Spanish left-back. As always, Fran García was active offensively, providing plenty of options for his teammates. His frequent runs forward allowed the forwards to receive some dangerous passes. Defensively, he remained solid. Injury-free, García continues to live up to the expectations surrounding him.
Raúl Asensio (7)
Starting on the right side of defence for the first time this season, the young Spanish defender put in a commendable performance. Surprisingly effective in attack, Asensio impressed with his bursting forward runs. Defensively, he recovered possession on numerous occasions and even supported the central defence when needed. For Carlo Ancelotti, this offers a promising solution amid concerns about Lucas Vázquez’s fitness.
Dani Ceballos (6.5)
With little opposition in midfield, Ceballos delivered another consistent performance. Repositioned in a deeper role to act as a ball-winner, the Spanish midfielder intercepted several key passes. His presence in attacking build-ups was also crucial in dismantling the league’s bottom team.
Federico Valverde (7)
Ancelotti’s all-rounder once again delivered a strong performance. Valverde was tireless, contributing both offensively and defensively while filling gaps in midfield. His impactful interception led to the second goal, courtesy of a clever pass from Ceballos. A well-rounded game from the Uruguayan.
Jude Bellingham (8)
Another standout game for the Englishman. From the start, Bellingham imposed himself with intensity in challenges, earning valuable free-kicks for his team. Despite nursing a back issue from midweek, the 21-year-old gave his all. As expected, he assisted Mbappé’s opening goal and won the late penalty in added time. An excellent display.
Brahim Díaz (6)
The Moroccan wasn’t particularly involved in the action. With much of the play focused on the left flank, Díaz contributed through collective work for the team. Although he didn’t shine offensively, he was instrumental in ball recovery.
Rodrygo Goes (6)
A quiet performance from Rodrygo until his substitution in the 56th minute. While the Brazilian forward has been scoring in recent games, he struggled to make an impact this time. However, like great players often do, he stepped up at a key moment, assisting Mbappé’s second goal after an excellent build-up involving Valverde and Ceballos.
Kylian Mbappé (9)
Another brilliant display from Real Madrid’s number 9. In sublime form over recent weeks, Mbappé once again delivered with his goals. Beyond his finishing, he played a pivotal role in creating opportunities and dictated the pace of the attack. His hat-trick was a masterclass in clinical finishing, solidifying his position as the team’s main man. According to Ancelotti, the adaptation period is over for the French captain, who continues to rack up goals effortlessly.
Leave a Reply