Player Ratings: Real Madrid 5 - Leganes 0; 2019 La Liga

Zinedine Zidane rolled out the same starting XI that played against Galatasaray a week ago. Perhaps the Frenchman was looking for some consistency after being forced to make changes due to injuries and suspension throughout the early part of the season. The game was done and dusted after the first 30 minutes with Madrid blitzing Leganes, scoring 3 unanswered goals. The rest of the match was in cruise control, but Benzema, Kroos, Casemiro, and Rodrygo were among the major standouts. The match even ended with Luka Jovic getting his first La Liga goal for Real Madrid! Full match ratings below:

Thibaut Courtois—5.5: Faced a long range bullet from Madrid loanee, Oscar, in the first half which he pushed over the bar. Aside from that had little to deal with in the entire game. Though, did nearly lose possession when holding on to the ball too long on a pass back.

Dani Carvajal—8: One of Carvajal’s best games this season. No one got past him down the right flank and he served multiple dangerous crosses including the assist for Luka Jovic’s first goal in La Liga.

Raphael Varane—6: Easy day at the office, had very little he had to do in terms of defensive clean up.

Sergio Ramos—6.5: Failed on his first attempt with the penalty, but was afforded a second opportunity via VAR and did not disappoint. He scored Madrid’s 3rd goal within 30 minutes and the team was soaring.

Marcelo—7.5: Leganes afforded the fullback total freedom to attack as he pleased. It was Marcelo’s cross which generated the early opening goal for Rodrygo.

Casemiro—9: Simply immense in the first half — stopping counters and threading through balls for goal-scoring opportunities.

Toni Kroos—8: Scored his 2nd goal in as many games with a delicate “Cruyff” touch to place the ball in the back of the net. Continues to take dangerous shots and nearly set-up Benzema for a goal in the first half.

Fede Valverde—6: Another solid game from the young Uruguayan. Wasn’t the best player on the pitch like he had been in previous encounters, but stuck to his job well and may have won a starting position in Zidane’s preferred XI.

Rodrygo—7.5: First start at the Bernabeu and the first goal. On countless occasions he showed off his huge talent. Few would bet against him when 1 v 1 on the flank - the Brazilian is so smooth with his twists, turns, and fakes. Played the full 90 minutes and looks

Eden Hazard—6.5: For Eden Hazard’s astronomically high standards, he’s still not where he wants to be. Wasn’t a poor performance and did show glimpses of his quick feet and delicate touch, but Madrid fans can still rightly expect more from the Belgian.

Karim Benzema—9: Set up the first goal for Rodrygo after placing a delicate touch off of Marcelo’s cross back across goal. Then a mere minute later, set up the second goal for Toni Kroos after drifting outside and sliding the ball centrally to Kroos. Had a couple opportunities to score a goal himself and was unlucky with his shot just outside the box which hit the post. Did end up getting his much deserved goal after Luka Modric was brought down for another penalty. For sure, one of the standout performances for Madrid.

Substitutions:

Luka Modric—6.5: his first touch saw him getting hacked down in the box and drawing Madrid’s second penalty on the night.

Luka Jovic—7: Once again a goal was taken from the Serbian, scored a beautiful header off of a Dani Carvajal cross, but was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed. But, he would ultimately get his goal in the dying minutes of the game. Again it was a great delivery from Carvajal and Jovic smashed his header into the goal.

Isco—6: The game was done and dusted when Isco entered, but the former Malaga man did manage to get one dangerous shot on target and followed up the rebound with a lovely little back heel pass to Hazard.