Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 1- Real Madrid 3; 2019 La Liga

Santiago Solari continues to guide the team through a tough round of fixtures, today earning Madrid’s first ever win at the Wanda Metropolitano. Sergio Reguilón has been a revelation, Vinicius Jr has been other-worldly, and Luka Modric as well as Sergio Ramos—the team leaders— are clicking into top gear. A 3-1 victory now has the team placed in second, five points behind bitter rivals Barcelona who visit Athletic Bilbao tomorrow.

Full ratings below:

Thibaut Courtois—7: Relatively comfortable day out for the Belgian despite the boo’s and pre-match hostility sent his way. Great save on Jose Giminez to keep Madrid’s lead at 2-1 in the second half.

Dani Carvajal—7.5: Top performance from Carvajal who managed 3 key passes, 104 touches, 2 tackles, and 2 interceptions. Worked up and down the flank and nullified any threat from Lemar.

Raphael Varane—7: He and Ramos were rock solid at the back. The Frenchman had a team high 5 clearances. Both Greizmann and Morata were kept under wraps.

Sergio Ramos—8.5: The captain has been in great form. Earned an assist and acted as a decoy on Casemiro’s bicycle kick goal from a corner and then cooly dispatched a penalty to give Madrid the lead again.

Sergio Reguilón—8.5: The youngster from the cantera continues to be an example for all. Hardly put a foot wrong in the biggest match of his career and has earned the starting left back position. He was battered and bruised by Atletico (fouled 6 times) but never backed down and was always composed in possession. Finished the match with 3 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 clearances.

Casemiro—8.5: Scored a gorgeous bicycle kick just outside the six yard box to give Madrid a crucial 1-0 lead early in the match. Finished the game with a team high 5 tackles and did an impressive job covering for both full backs.

Luka Modric—8: It’s so good to have the real Luka Modric back and in form. The Croatian makes Madrid tick and his ability to keep possession under harrowing pressure and then advance the ball to the likes of Vinciuis and Benzema has been a core reason behind the teams uptick in form. Provided the assist for Gareth Bale’s 100th goal for Real Madrid and the nail in Atletico Madrid’s coffin.

Toni Kroos—7: Another strong showing from the German, who is one of many Madrid players clicking into gear. Served the corner for which Casemiro scored and frustrated Thomas Partey into a second foul and eventual red card.

Lucas Vazquez—6.5: Not as influential as he was mid-week against Barcelona, but as always his work rate down the right was crucial to Solari’s scheme.

Karim Benzema—7: Did not get on the scoresheet tonight, but was vital in building out Madrid’s play by dropping deep and linking with the midfield as well as Vinicius—particularly in the first half.

Vinicius JR—8: The boy from Brazil continues to shine. He had a couple of bad giveaways— one of which Atletico punished and Greizmann scored, but otherwise was a constant threat. His speed and direct play was too much for the Atleti backline. Earned the penalty which Ramos dispatched after burning Jose Giminez, who minutes earlier had tried to wined up the Brazilian with verbals. At this point, the kid is undroppable.

Substitutions:

Gareth Bale—6.5: Scored a great goal—galloping down the left, receiving the ball in the box, and clinically blasting the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Aside from his goal, produced little else but if Madrid can get the Welshman back in top form this team becomes all the more dangerous.

Dani Ceballos—N/A

Mariano—N/A