Real Madrid had to battle all the way to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. In a match full of twists and turns, Madrid showed their mental strength to beat Leganés 3-2. Luka Modric and Endrick had led the way, but it was Gonzalo’s stoppage-time winner that sealed the points. Here’s a look back at the individual performances of the Merengues players on a thrilling evening.
Andriy Lunin: 7
Lunin proved once again that he is a reliable goalkeeper for Real Madrid. From the outset, he made a string of decisive saves, reassuring his defence and preventing Leganés from gaining confidence. After a long spell of calm thanks to Madrid’s dominance, he saw his net shaken twice in the second half, although he could not really be blamed for those goals. His footwork lacked precision at times, but overall he took his role seriously.
Federico Valverde: 7
Playing at right-back once again, Valverde proved that he can adapt to any situation. The Uruguay international made a host of runs, helping both defensively and offensively. Solid at the back, he also provided support for Madrid’s attacks by exploiting his physical strength and explosiveness. A clean, disciplined performance.
Raúl Asencio: 7
Thrust into the starting line-up due to the absences of Rüdiger and Alaba, Asencio never wavered. He imposed his physical presence and his positioning often compensated for the defensive lapses of his team-mate Jacobo Ramon. He was imperious in aerial duels and in the restart, and showed great maturity for a player of his age. A convincing performance that could earn him more opportunities in the future.
Jacobo Ramon: 2
The young defender’s first start was a nightmare. From the outset, he seemed overwhelmed by the opposition’s pressure and attacks. Too naïve in his interventions, he made a series of mistakes, notably giving away a penalty to Leganés just before half-time, which allowed the home side to get back into the game. It was a painful baptism of fire, which highlights the need to learn quickly at the highest level.
Ferland Mendy: 5
Mendy is going through a complicated period, and this match against Leganés did little to reassure him of his current level. Uninspiring offensively, he settled for a lacklustre defensive role. While he made no major mistakes, his lack of attacking input limited Real Madrid’s options on the left. He will need to show more in the coming fixtures.
Aurélien Tchouameni: 7
Back in his preferred defensive role, Tchouameni put in a solid performance. Very active at the back, he often cut off the opposition’s attacks and was able to direct the game intelligently. His physical impact was invaluable, particularly in the second half when Leganés raised their game. A lacklustre but effective performance.
Luka Modric: 7.5
Another masterclass from the Madrid captain. At 39, Modric continues to dictate the tempo of the game with remarkable ease. A veritable conductor of orchestras, he was able to guide his team-mates and open the scoring with a pure No10 goal following a wonderful pass from Rodrygo. His reading of the game and technical precision once again made all the difference. An indisputable leader.
Arda Güler: 5
The young Turkish prodigy was unable to shine as brightly as he would have liked. He tried to create chances, but his risk-taking was often unsuccessful. A few flashes of talent, but a lack of consistency that prevented him from really making an impact on the match. A lacklustre match for him.
Brahim Diaz: 7
Very active up front, Brahim Diaz was a menace to the Leganés defence thanks to his pace and ability to pick out opponents. A hard-hitter, he took the initiative and often created danger. He fulfilled his role perfectly in Real Madrid’s forward line.
Rodrygo Goes: 8
Madrid’s man of the match, Rodrygo once again showed why he is such a formidable attacking weapon. Positioned on the left flank, he caused havoc in the opposition defence with his dribbling, acceleration and precise passing. His pass to Modric for the opening goal was a model of its kind. Replaced at half-time by Vinicius Jr, he had already done the essential.
Endrick: 7.5
Real Madrid’s future looks bright with such a striker. Endrick took advantage of a defensive error to score a pure No9 goal. His positional sense and efficiency in front of goal have already made him a considerable asset to the team. A convincing performance.
Vinicius Jr: 4
Vinicius Jr, who came on at half-time, had a complicated evening. Uninspired on the ball, he tried to provoke, but his dribbling was ineffective. His attacking impact was limited, and he was unable to make the difference as usual. A match to forget for him.
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