Mid-week fixtures are becoming something of an aberration for Real Madrid in their bid to win the La Liga. For the second consecutive week, the Blancos dropped points once again. Last week, they lost against Valencia and this week they again lost out on an opportunity to open a healthier lead at the top of the table as they failed to win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
That said, the visitors were a blur of frenetic energy as they looked to make their mark and to make it a night to remember. And having taken a 3-1 lead, the visitors must have felt robbed after a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo denied them what could have been a historic victory.
This game can be best described as an end to end encounter which had chaos written all over, till it was settled by a Ronaldo equaliser in the dying stages of the game. With a game in hand, the Los Blancos are still favourites to win the league.
Goalscorers on the night for the Los Blancos were Ronaldo and Isco. The Las Palmas team must have felt dejected with the result as they had the opportunity to script history. Goal scoring heroics for the visitors were by Tana, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jonathan Viera.
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas – 4.5/10
In the past few games, the Costa Rican has come under pressure and his performances have also been under the scanner. In this game, it was more of a hot and cold performance, although Zidane will look on with worry in the context of the error which led to the third goal for the visitors.
Daniel Carvajal – 6/10
More influential on the attacking side of the game rather than the defensive side. The Spaniard showed intelligent movement down his flank to create and assist his team while attacking. However, he quickly needs to tighten his defensive side of his game if Madrid are to win the league.
Sergio Ramos – 5/10
The captain and leader at the back led from the front and did try and make a case in front of the referee in respect of Bale’s sending off. Tried to get on the score-sheet himself as Las Palmas looked to run away with the game having conceded the second penalty. The Madrid captain did come up with goal line blocks to deny visitors the lead but will look back on this performance as points dropped rather than gained.
Nacho – 6.5/10
Did his best under the sustained pressure and showed his presence on the ball. However, the defender could have been more solid and should have held his ground against the Las Palmas attackers.
Marcelo – 7.5/10
Drove Madrid back into the game with his lung bursting runs. Put in some good crosses and was a constant threat down his flank. Could have done better when it came to defending the third goal for the visitors but in hindsight, it was a result of the communication error between the keeper and the defender.
Mateo Kovacic – 7/10
Started off well before eventually fading away. Set up the opening goal with a fine through ball for his fellow midfielder Isco. Could do better though when it comes to retaining possession of the ball and provide better cover to his defenders.
Isco – 6/10
Started off the game like a house on fire only to lose his mojo in the second half. Looked a threat in the first half and was rewarded with a start in this game after his Villareal performance. Was an attacking threat throughout and a close second as the best player for Madrid on the night.
Toni Kroos – 7.5/10
Was present on the pitch and tried to keep things simple. Kept the game ticking and should have provided more drive and panache if Madrid were to dominate. An average game by his usual standards.
Gareth Bale – 3/10
A petulant reaction ended his game as Madrid showed they are letting the pressure get on to them in the title run-in. Two quick bookings in the second half curtailed his impact but the Welshman had been impressive till then. It was unusual to see him lose his temper first kicking out and then pushing his opponents to the ground.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 8.5/10
Saved his team from certain defeat as he helped his team claw back into the game and earn a vital point which still puts them in a position of comfort to overhaul Barcelona. Ronaldo kept his composure to convert the penalty and win a point for the hosts late in the game. The Portuguese international was a calming presence and for the second consecutive game, he has rescued his side. His display ensured that it was a point gained rather than points dropped.
Alvaro Morata – 7/10
Could have opened the scoring as early as the first minute before being ruled out for offside correctly. Having replaced Benzema, showed good movement but will look to do more when given the opportunity to play from the start. The Spaniard was instrumental last week in getting the winning goal and must show more movement if he is to become a regular starter for the Los Blancos
Substitutes
James Rodriguez – 8/10
Super Sub James was on hand to turn the game around and made some superb passes in the time granted on the pitch. Capped off a fine display by providing the assist for the equalising goal and one felt Zidane could have introduced the Colombian earlier. Showed trickery since his introduction but a possible start could have helped his cause as he looks to cement a place in the title run-in
Lucas Vazquez – 5/10
Pushed his team forward since his introduction and showed grit and energy. Could have got on the score-sheet himself after his effort forced the opposition keeper to make a good save. Was a buzzing presence and showed innovation with some excellent crosses.
Karim Benzema – 6/10Came on in the 71st minute as a part of a double substitution by Zidane. Should have made an immediate impact after a chance came his way. The Frenchman was generally wasteful in front of goal as he snatched at his chances.
Las Palmas
Javi Varas – 7/10
Unlucky to have conceded three goals in a game which barely saw him in action. Irrespective of the late goals made important saves in the first half and was responsible for keeping his side in the game. Must have felt robbed after Ronaldo’s late double strike having kept his side in the game for a considerable period of time. The crossbar also helped him as he successfully kept out Morata and Ramos effort’s
Mauricio Lemos – 7/10
Considered as a possible transfer target for the Los Blancos, the defender did his reputation no harm after putting in a calm and composed performance in defence. Looked to make something happen from the back and was involved in smart defending rather due to his positioning ability. At times, the defender looked to make things happen by breaking the lines and carrying the ball forward. His performance was the silver lining in a defensive display which was calamitous in the late stages of the game.
Dani Castellano – 6/10
Took out his own player Bigas with a challenge as early as the 26th minute. Also conceded the penalty as he handled Ronaldo’s cross in the 86th minute which allowed Madrid back into the game. Not one of his best nights but still did well at times.
David Simon – 6/10
His shot on goal led to the penalty for the visitors and did his best to create chances for his side. His overlapping runs led to a cross in the 72nd minute which his teammates couldn’t get on the end of. Picked up a booking in the first half after fouling Kroos.
Pedro Bigas – 6.5/10
Had an early end to his game after injury curtailed his involvement.
Vicente Gomez – 7.5/10
Had a chance to put his side ahead only to see Ramos clear his efforts of the goal line. Was the victim of a late Morata tackle and offered his side energy in the middle of the park. Could have been more dominant given the energy levels but linked up well with his team-mates.
Roque Mesa – 7/10
Did the simple things well to keep the game ticking for the visitors. Not fanciful in approach but did a job by linking the play and also made occasional runs from deep to assist the forwards. As a midfielder, he concentrated more on holding his position although at times in the first half he could have been more pro-active.
KevinPrince Boateng – 8.5/10
Operated as the lone striker and was constantly involved in the game. Picked up a booking for fouling Kroos and then made amends with a goal having broken through the Madrid defence after beating Navas to the ball. Th Ghanian seems to rise to the occasion whenever he plays against a big team and here as the solitary attacking outlet troubled the central defenders with his movement more than pace. Led the line well and must be proud of the performance.
Jonathan Viera – 8/10
Influential with and without the ball, the midfielder bore the ire of Bale as he was pushed to the ground by the Welshman. Gave his side the lead with a calmly taken penalty.
Jese – 7.5/10
The former Madrid winger made an impactful contribution and drove into the box forcefully in the opening quarter of an hour. Got into threatening positions and troubled Carvajal on a consistent basis. Could have easily been on the score-sheet if not for some sensational saves by Navas.
Taunausu – 8.5/10
Easily the best player for the visitors and smashed in an absolutely brilliant equaliser in the first half to cancel out Isco’s opener. Was the victim of a late Nacho challenge as an expression of the outburst of frustration from the Spanish defender.
Substitutes
Aythami Artiles – 8/10
Having been left out of the starting line-up was called to replace Bigas as early as the 27th minute. Gradually grew into the game and was Las Palmas influential and creative midfielder. Made a sensational double block in the late stages of the game before the goals arrived from Ronaldo.
Mateo Garcia – 7/10
Replaced Boateng in the second half and picked up from where the Ghana international had left off. Made some headway against the Madrid defence with direct running and was an outlet for the visitors as they looked to hold on to their lead.
Alen Halilovic – 7/10Introduced too late in the game to exert a notable influence. The Barcelona man showed glimpses of his quality with some good touches and did well to keep his calm in spite of the pressure by the home team in the dying stages of the game. Picked up a booking in the final minutes as he looked to stall the home team’s momentum.
