Real Madrid vs Schalke, Champions League,: Player ratings

Iker Casillas: 1 - The man is a mess and captain in name only. I always tried to stand by him but today was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Surely he must be sold in the summer.

Álvaro Arbeloa: 1 - Read the last sentence above ^. The Spartan's level of football has plummeted so drastically over the past couple seasons that it's only surprising he's still in the roster.

Pepe: 4 - Not a great game by Pepe clearly as the team managed to concede four goals at home. Still. compared to the rest of the defence he wasn't too bad and he managed to make 11 clearances, more than any other player.

Raphael Varane: 3 - By the looks of things he isn't turning out to be the world class centre back Madrid fans had hoped for. His poor positioning helped Schalke score the fourth goal.

Fabio Coentrao: 4 - He put in a delightful cross for Ronaldo to head home and was generally rather competent on offence tonight. Unfortunately he gave with one and and took with the other as his defending was poor. He didn't make a single tackle.

Toni Kroos: 8 - This was Toni's first good game for a while now. It was unfortunate that his midfield partners didn't help him out more though. He made more key passes and tackles than any other player showing his contribution at both ends of the pitch and offered the assist for Real's first goal.

Sami Khedira: 2 - If Khedira was meant to be showing his value to a potential summer suitor you wouldn't have known it. He made no tackles in midfield and offered very little of anything else save for basic short passes reflected in his 100% pass accuracy.

Isco: 5 - A quiet game for Isco. That sentiment has been echoed too often recently and we've seen less hunger and desire from him since he's become a starting player. Still, he was heavily involved when Madrid had possession and created 3 key passes and made 3 successful take-ons.

Gareth Bale: 3 - That now makes it 9 consecutive games in all competitions for Gareth Bale without either a goal or an assist and whichever way you look at it, that is simply not a good enough return for the most expensive player in the world. A total of 0 successful dribbles and none of his crosses finding team-mates despite attempting more crosses than anybody else epitomises his evening.

Karim Benzema: 7 - Big Benz had a decent game today and was very adept at holding up the ball when Madrid needed him to do so. The Frenchman also completed more successful dribbles than any other player as well as scoring Madrid's crucial third goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo: 8 - Cristiano for the first time in a while had a good game. Once again, Madridistas worldwide should be thankful for his contribution as without him Los Blancos would be knocked out of a second cup competition this year.

Subs:

Marcelo: 6 - The Brazilian pocket rocket came on and had a positive contribution by competing 3 take-ons and offering Madrid a creative outlet down the left flank. Minutes per goal conceded also improved with his introduction so there's that.

Luka Modric: 6 - A welcome presence returned to the team tonight and his passing looked very tidy. It was a shame that his return had to coincide with this embarrassing loss but he played ably after being out for so long.

Nacho - Insufficient minutes.