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Malmo went down 2-0 to Real Madrid on Cristiano Ronaldo’s record equaling night. Real had a lion’s share of the possession in a match which witnessed a lot of misread one-twos, cheap giveaways, poor crosses, lazy runs into the box, unrewarded good runs and wayward shots from several midfielders.
Real Madrid played with one eye on the upcoming Madrid derby, playing in second gear throughout. Ronaldo was once again the difference maker as his brace lifts Real Madrid atop their Group on goal difference. We rate the Real Madrid players’ performances here.
Keylor Navas – 7/10
Navas made a few saves early in the game as Real Madrid got off to a shaky start. He had a quiet night overall and wasn’t called into action thereafter as Malmo had only 3 shots on target in the whole game. Navas got his second clean sheet in as many games in the Champions League.
Dani Carvajal – 7/10
The Spaniard made numerous runs down the right and put in a few good crosses and was unlucky to see his volley crash off the wood work minutes before half-time. He was forced to foul the Malmo attackers a number of times to keep them from getting the better of him.
Nacho – 6/10
Nacho had a decent game at the back as he partnered Varane to keep Rosenberg and company at bay. The Spaniard did not attempt anything flashy and was reliable on the ball and circulated it well.
Raphael Varane – 5/10
The Frenchman was sloppy in defence and made a few errors. He was guilty of being dispossessed a number of times in his forays into the midfield. He was the man tasked to marshal the Real Madrid defence but the defensive unit looked very shaky at times. Benitez will expect a better performance from the youngster in the upcoming matches.
Alvaro Arbeloa – 7/10
Arbeloa defended his flank well and was a constant attacking threat. The Spaniard put in numerous crosses into the box from the left and looked to attack whenever he could. He was a decent replacement for Marcelo who was rested for the upcoming Madrid derby.
Mateo Kovacic – 8/10
The Croatian was booked early in the game for a cynical foul on Tinnerholm. He showed insane vision to pick out Isco which eventually lead to the first goal of the night. The ex-Inter player had a couple of shots on goal himself as he looked to get onto the score sheet. He was replaced in the 75th minute.
Casemiro – 7/10
The Brazilian was tasked to do the dirty work in the midfield as he kept Malmo’s physical players in check. He picked up a yellow in the process but had a decent night overall. Casemiro played a number of key passes as his long balls found the Madrid players in key positions.
Toni Kroos – 7/10
Kroos played a more offensive role for Madrid than usual. His intricate passes were a key reason for Madrid having a lion’s share of the possession though the German was guilty of conceding possession on a few occasions.
Isco – 7/10
Isco played like a man possessed as he took on defenders time and again in the first half and produced a brilliant assist for Ronaldo to score the first of the night. His performance trailed off after the break and he was brought off for Denis Cheryshev in the 83rd minute.
Karim Benzema – 6/10
Benzema looked to cause trouble for Malmo with his intelligent runs and his back heel to Kovacic led to the counter which produced Real’s first goal of the match. The Frenchman had a quiet night overall and was replaced by Modric in the 65th minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 9/10
The Portuguese hit man had a chance to score early in the game but saw his shot deflected to the far post. He scored the first goal of the night and the 500th of his career by blasting the ball into the corner from an Isco assist. His second of the night came from a Vazquez cross, which he tapped into the net from a tight angle.
Substitutes
Luka Modric – 6/10
Modric made an instant impact after coming on as he lay the ball into the path of Ronaldo whose shot was tipped over the bar by Wiland. He kept possession well and circulated the ball to that effect.
Lucas Vazquez – 6/10
He assisted the second of the night and his runs caused trouble for the Malmo defence. He took on defenders with great confidence as he hustled to get past his markers time and again.
Denis Cheryshev – N/A
He caused trouble for the opposition defence with his direct runs down the flank. The Russian had very few minutes on the pitch to make a sizeable contribution.
