Valencia vs Real Madrid, Liga BBVA 2014-15: Player Ratings

Iker Casillas: 6 - San Iker actually couldn't have done anything about Valencia's goals but he did make an excellent save to bail the team out at a crucial point of the game. It's just a shame that most of the rest of the players didn't help him out.

Dani Carvajal: 5 - Dani was tackling well today and trying hard, which I can appreciate. He didn't play particularly badly but then he didn't play particularly well either and was shut out in an attacking sense.

Pepe: 7 - Pepe made a crucial block in the first half to keep Valencia out and generally didn't play too badly. He was making some decent tackles too to be fair and he was probably Madrid's best player today.

Sergio Ramos: 3 - He completely lost Otamendi for Valencia's winner and was out of position from time to time as well as picking up a booking. Perhaps he shouldn't have started the game due to his recent injury.

Marcelo: 4 - The Brazilian was decent going forward and put in a lot of dangerous crosses at the end of the match but was often out of position at the back and was caused problems defensively by the goal scorer Barragán.

Toni Kroos: 3 - Toni is supposed to control the game and put simply; he didn't. He often wasn't able to cope with the high pressing of the Valencia midfielder's and this is reflected by the fact that he was dispossessed more than any other Real Madrid player.

Isco Alarcón: 3 - The young magician was another one who played poorly today. He was lacking his usual assured flair on the ball and when not on it he didn't attack the game with the usual zest that we've come to expect of him. He also gave the ball away in dangerous positions.

James Rodríguez: 2 - James was nowhere to be seen for the most part of the match today. He contributed even less on defence which left the Madrid midfield too loose to some Valencia counter-attacks and offensively his crosses weren't finding their targets. He must improve against physical sides or else it's better to start Khedira or Illarramendi.

Gareth Bale: 2 - I've never seen Bale dominated so immaculately by a defender so a lot of credit must go to Lucas Orban. However his general play was not good enough today and he cost Madrid a certain goal through his poor decision making which, for a fan, was unacceptable viewing. Plus he had less touches than any starting player including Iker Casillas. Completely marked out of the game.

Crisitiano Ronaldo: 2 - Yes he scored Madrid's solitary goal. But it was a penalty and after he converted that he went  missing for the rest of the match. Oh, aside from when he decided to continually shoot from range straight into Diego Alves' gloves.

Karim Benzema: 2 - Another player who didn't do a great deal of anything positive today. He had one really great opportunity before half-time which he failed to convert. Shooting straight at Diego Alves.

Subs

Sami Khedira: 5 - Sami came on and actually helped Madrid somewhat with the physical side of the game and in the last 20 minutes Valencia had their backs to the walls, defending for the most part. I attribute this in large part to Sami helping us win the midfield battle in the closing stages.

Jesé Rodríguez: 2 - Many were calling for Jesé to come on for Bale in the closing stages which he did but he too was unable to glide past the Valencia defenders. In fact, I don't recall the youngster doing anything of note which doesn't say much for his performance.

Chicharito was given insufficient minutes again.

Carlo Ancelotti: 2 - Carlo failed to motivate his players it seems. That wasn't the worst part of his managerial performance today however. Carl oalso failed to adapt fast enough to make nay significant changes until it was too late. He could have condensed the midfield, switch formation, made earlier substitutions, or asked the players to press higher up the pitch. He didn't do any of those things and seemingly had no answers. The Khedira sub helped to be fair (which saves him from a 1 rating) but that was it.

A bad day at the office for all those involved with Madrid but it's not the end of the world by any means. this match now needs to be put behind us and the club must look ahead to the next fixture.