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A full 90 minutes couldn’t separate these two sides and it took a goal in the 115th minute to find a winner. Was this a nail-biter between two elite level clubs battling it out? No. It was a frustratingly bland, lost-puppy-looking Real Madrid side against third-tier Alcoyano who were full of hope, drive, and at one point, were playing with 10 men.
Zinedine Zidane’s men had no hunger and even the use of four substitutes couldn’t dig them out of their grave. The hosts, on the other hand, outdone themselves and their performance fully deserves the win.
See player ratings below.
Andrey Lunin —5: In for his debut and you have to feel for him. A decent performance given that he’s only 21. Two strong saves to keep Alcoyano from scoring more. Hung out by Vini Jr. on the first goal and beaten near post on the second. Finished with 95% pass completion rate.
Alvaro Odriozola —3: Was hoping for more from him tonight. Offered very little in defence, just his speed. Finished with 98% pass completion but only 2/7 crosses were accurate. Had zero blocks, zero aerial duels, zero tackles. Subbed off after 98 mins.
Eder Militão—5: As the rumour mill churns Militão put on a performance that should keep him at the club. He wasn’t afraid to get physical and scored the goal but was nowhere to be found on the counter-attack for Alcoyano’s winner. Finished with 7/11 aerial duels won, 8/15 long balls, four clearances, zero interceptions or tackles and three shots on target.
Víctor Chust—5.5: The other player in for his debut tonight and was one of the standouts throughout the entire match. Good decision making and a quick-thinker. Also took a nasty clash to the head but powered through. Finished with two clearances, two interceptions, 2/6 aerial duels won, 8/15 long balls and 90% pass completion rate.
Marcelo —4.5: Return to action was reasonably good. Put in crosses all night but besides that didn’t bring much to the game. Issues with positioning again. Finished with one assist, one clearance, one interception, two tackles, three key passes, 13/23 long balls and lost possession a staggering 32 times.
Casemiro—6: Decent shift and worked to help both the attack and the defence all match. Finished with 11/18 longballs, one dribble, one clearance, five tackles, 10/11 ground duels won plus 6/12 in the air and lost possession 22 times.
Fede Valverde —4: Didn’t even know he was playing and brought very little to the midfield. One decent shot attempt in the beginning but died out easily. Very poor tracking lead to conceding the second. Finished with two key passes, 4/9 long balls, two shots, two clearances, three tackles.
Isco—5.5: Most active player in the midfield but more doesn’t necessarily mean better and this is the perfect case. Finished with three key passes, 6/8 long balls, 4/6 crosses, 9/11 dribbles, one interception and lost possession 29 times. Subbed after 98 mins.
Lucas Vazquez—6: Slow to start and then put in a shift in the second but it wasn’t enough. Finished with three shots on target, seven key passes, five dribbles, two tackles, one interception, one clearance, 8/10 long balls and 5/11 crosses. Dropped to right-back when Odriozola left.
Mariano Diaz —2: Virtually inactive. Only 17 touches in the 67 minutes he played record one shot on target. Pass accuracy of only 67% and fouled opponents five times. Not much to say. Really expected more. Subbed off.
Vini Jr.—3: Had the chance to impress but didn’t, which is very disappointing. Missed two great opportunities to score. Horrible defending to let Alcoyano score their first goal. Finished with one shot, 39 touches, 92% pass completion, offside three times and one tackle. Subbed off as the match went into extra time.
Substitutes:
Karim Benzema—4: Replaced Mariano in the 67th minute to try and find a second goal for Madrid but couldn’t get into the game. Only had 36 touches, two shots blocked and hit the woodwork. Finished with one key pass and two accurate long balls.
Marco Asensio—3.5: Didn’t add much either after coming on for Vini Jr. at the start of extra time. Finished with 95% pass completion and one dribble.
Eden Hazard—3.5: On for Odriozola after 98 mins. Didn’t bring anything to help change the match. Wasted good opportunities in the box by trying to be too fancy. Finished with 3/5 dribbles.
Toni Kroos—4: On for Isco after 98 mins. Helped Madrid hold onto possession in the dying minutes of the match. Finished with one key pass, 2/2 long balls, one tackle and one interception.