Leganes 2-4 Real Madrid, 2017 La Liga: Player Ratings

For a short couple of hours, Real Madrid found themselves tied with FC Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table after the Catalan side had won against Sevilla earlier Wednesday night. Although Madrid had two matches in hand at the time, Barcelona’s win further implied that grabbing three points against Leganes would prove crucial for Los Blancos.

Spain’s first placed side was up against the country’s seventeenth. For most pundits, this match looked to be a walk in the park for Zinedine Zidane’s side. However, after watching the eccentric match, it was clear that it was far from simple for Madrid -– unless you were Alvaro Morata. The match began with a quick goal from James Rodriguez that was set up beautifully by Marco Asensio, who ran the length of the field to provide a beautiful tap in for the Colombian. Shortly after, Morata tallied two goals in the span of five minutes to give Madrid a 3-0 lead. This lead was tarnished nine minutes later when Gabriel and Luciano both scored goals for Leganes in the 32’ and 34’ minute, completely destroying Madrid’s lead. The match would remain tense until Morata completed his hat-trick early in the second half, giving Madrid the final result of 4-2.

Keylor Navas: 4

This match was supposed to be Navas’ way of showing the world that he still has something left in the tank. This match did the opposite. Not a great night for the Costa Rican international.

Danilo: 6

The Brazilian defender looked to dive in on every cut. If it wasn’t for Danilo’s impeccable recovery ability, the outside back’s mistakes would have been more drastic. After Leganes’ two goals, Danilo became reserved and offered less at the offensive end.

Nacho: 6.5

As the match began, Nacho looked like a man playing amongst boys. As the match prolonged, tiny flaws became relevant as Madrid’s defense let in two goals in the span of two minutes.

Sergio Ramos: 7.5

Ramos was not playing with his typical team Wednesday night. A part of a heavily rotated Real Madrid team, the lack of communication and organization in the back looked to be a factor in Madrid’s goal leakage. Nevertheless, the Spanish international provided his side strong tackles and valiant leadership that so many fans have become accustomed to seeing.

Marcelo: 6

Personally, I don’t know where Marcelo was. I even forgot he was on the field most of the time.

Casemiro: 6

This wasn’t the Brazilian’s night. A few missed tackles and defensive slips led to an underwhelming performance.

Mateo Kovacic: 8.5

In a night where someone completes 62 out of their 67 passes, it is safe to say they played decently well. Add a terrific assist and you have yourself an outright solid performance.

James Rodriguez: 8.5

Much like Navas, James Rodriguez needed to have himself a solid outing. The Colombian midfielder had himself a strong outing as well as a goal. It’s easy to forget how good he is until when he struggles to earn minutes. However, tonight’s performance reminds us of what James can do.

Lucas Vazquez: 6

Did Vazquez ever defend? It is custom for a winger to go up the field and create an attack, but it is also custom for that said winger to come back and help on defense, right?

Marco Asensio: 8.5

Asensio played his heart out tonight. Taking the small opportunity provided by Zidane, the young pacey winger showed great promise on the flank. Asensio’s greatest play came in the first half when he dribbled past the entire Leganes team in order to set up Rodriguez for the first goal of the game.

Alvaro Morata: 9.5

Morata is clearly something else. The young Spanish striker put on a superb performance has he accumulated himself a hattrick. In a match full of ups-and-downs, Morata was a clear up in Zidane’s side.

Isco (Substitution): 6.5

Had a few tricks here and there but nothing to warrant a huge rating.

Mariano (Substitution): 6

Proud to see the 23-year-old striker get some game time, even if it wasn’t for long.

Luka Modric (Substitution): 6

Typically, we see Kovacic come on for Modric. The roles were reversed on this one.

Player of the Match: Alvaro Morata