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Schalke vs Real Madrid, Champions League 2015: Player Ratings

A professional victory for Ancelotti's men.

Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images

Iker Casillas: 6 - The captain wasn't exactly bombarded with shots due to Di Matteo's defensive strategy but he came out of the game with a clean sheet having made 3 smart saves.

Dani Carvajal: 8 - Dani was solid on defence all night long and he also put in a lovely cross that allowed Ronaldo to open the scoring. It was another complete performance against quality opposition from the Spaniard.

Pepe: 7 - Pepe came back into the side tonight after previously being out with injury and he was exactly what Madrid needed after recent defensive troubles. Calm and composed at the back, he hardly put a foot wrong.

Raphael Varane: 9 - The Frenchman was brilliant to watch tonight because he actually looked like the promising, exciting defender most Madrid fans expect him to be. He made more tackles, interceptions and clearances than any other player. A defensive juggernaut.

Marcelo: 9 - He scored the second goal to give Madrid a comfortable cushion heading into the 2nd leg. A total of 4 interceptions, 4 dribbles and completing more passes than any other player points to his industry and involvement over tonight's proceedings. He's become incredibly important for this Madrid side.

Toni Kroos: 7 - The midfield metronome helped control things with the best pass accuracy of any player in the middle of the pitch leading to Madrid's 61% possession. He also put in 4 tackles to help break down Schalke's counter attacks.

Lucas Silva: 6 - The recent acquisition was reasonably involved tonight for Madrid, making no mistakes and had a fair bit of the ball. On the other hand he could have been better offensively and with his use of the football.

Isco: 8 - Isco once again showed his brilliant close control, completing more dribbles than nay other player and he also completed 93% of all his passes tonight. It was an exhibition of class up against a decent opponent.

Gareth Bale: 7 - Welsh wonder Gareth Bale put in another decent display, linking up well with the midfield and fellow forwards. He created the joint most key passes and also completed 5 successful take-ons. It is another sign of his improving dribbling.

Cristiano Ronaldo: 8 - Ronaldo scored Madrid's important first goal and was invloved with the second, teeing up Marcelo's thunderbolt of a strike. One could easily make the argument that Ronaldo was the difference maker once again.

Karim Benzema: 5 - It was quite a quiet and tepid performance from the former Lyon player as he couldn't seem to get much going offensively. In fairness, he was being marked constantly due to Schalke's five man defence and he managed to create space for others with his selfless runs.

Chicharito, Arbeloa & Illarramendi were given insufficient minutes.

MOTM: Marcelo

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