La Liga 2017/18: Real Madrid 0-1 Villareal - Player ratings

Real Madrid hosted Villareal in La Liga with the hopes of acquiring all three points, which despite all their efforts they could not.

The first half saw Madrid control the proceedings. They looked better and this was visible in the number of shots taken on goal. However, their finishing let them down big time. The first half ended in an eventful 0-0 draw with everything to play for in the second half.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first half with Real Madrid coming out with all guns blazing. Villareal were resilient and did not allow even an inch of space to the Los Blancos forwards while counter-attacking with an intent on occasions. They were then rewarded for their brave performance with a late Fornals goal as they sealed the match with it.

Here are the player ratings for either side.

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Real Madrid

Real Madrid players cut very dejected figures

Keylor Navas - 6.5/10

He had one of the busier days of his career between the posts. Villareal were threatening and they did break his resolve towards the end for the game's solitary goal. He was unlucky to have parried Unas' shot into Fornals' path for Villareal's only goal.

Dani Carvajal - 6.5/10

The Spaniard was full of energy as he bombarded up and down with pace. He was solid defensively and always available for a pass. However, his end product was not particularly at the level we have been accustomed to as Real struggled to break Villareal's defence.

Nacho Fernandez - 5/10

This was a poor game by the Spaniard. He made important tackles and interceptions but also showed signs of rustiness, especially in the second half. He was caught upfield as Villareal countered and scored.

Raphael Varane - 6/10

Varane had a decent game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks, and clearances while being a calm head in the heart of the Real Madrid's defence.

Marcelo - 6.5/10

Back in the left-back role after his return from injury, he produced a mixed performance. He did make a couple of penetrating runs in attack and provided quite a few fine deliveries into the box. He, however, was guilty of giving too much space on his side which, fortunately, was not exploited.

Casemiro - 7/10

The Brazillian gave a good defensive display in the middle of the park as he won everything coming his way. He broke up plays and initiated attacks. After coming under a lot of criticism, this was a game, he could take positives from.

Toni Kroos - 7/10

Ever since his move to Real Madrid, Kroos has been Real Madrid's engine. Today was no different. He sprayed passes throughout the pitch and delivered tempting set pieces. However, it was just not enough to unlock Villareal's defence.

Luka Modric - 5.5/10

Modric looked sharp in possession and enjoyed the ball at his feet. However, he just could not deliver the final ball quite as well as Madrid fans have been accustomed to. The X-factor was missing from his game and it did show in the final result.

Isco - 6.5/10

The young Spaniard ran the show for Madrid in the first half. He floated all over the pitch and sprayed passes with varying ranges to his teammates. However, he did fade away in the second half and was replaced by Vazquez.

Gareth Bale - 6/10

Gareth Bale looked dangerous with the ball but his finishing radar was quite off. He was involved in the build-ups and looked sharp upon his return to the starting eleven. He even contributed defensively and tracked the runs of opposition full-backs on a number of occasions.

Ronaldo despite all his chances, could not put the ball into the back of the net

Cristiano Ronaldo - 4.5/10

Ronaldo could not win the match for Real Madrid and his performance was not quite up to the standards he has set for himself. He missed a lot of opportunities, a few of them clear-cut, and generally, was not much involved in too many build-up plays.

Substitutes:

Lucas Vazquez - 6/10

He was introduced in place of Kroos but he, for all his efforts, could not change the game in Madrid's favour.

Marco Asensio - 7/10

Just like his substitute partner Vazquez, Asensio's introduction could not sway the game in favour of Real Madrid. He rushed his shot towards the end of the game and missed a good chance to score.

Villareal

Gonzalez challenges Ronaldo for the ball

Sergio Asenjo - 8.5/10

He had quite an amazing outing just, like his opposite number. Quick off his lines, it was he who stood firm and almost stopped Real from an easy victory. Pulled a couple of saves including a number of fantastic stops off Ronaldo and Marcelo.

Mario Gaspar - 7/10

He struggled a bit initially but once the game wore on, he got more and more comfortable on the right side. He was solid thereon and often ventured forward to exploit spaces left behind by Marcelo.

Daniele Bonera - 8/10

A good performance from the Cherries defender as he marshalled the defence superbly. He defended with guile and kept his side in the game despite barrages of attack from Real Madrid.

Alvaro Gonzalez - 8/10

Gonzalez put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Ronaldo and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles to keep Villareal in the game.

Bacca held up play quite well to bring his teammates into play

Jaume Costa - 6.5/10

Defending the left flank for Villareal, he put in a fairly decent performance. He was troubled a bit whenever Carvajal overlapped, and in general, got the better of him. Attacking, he showed the willingness to join the attack but lacked the end product.

Dani Raba - 5.5/10

Raba only lasted one half on the pitch as he was taken off for Denis Cherychev at the halftime mark. While he was on the pitch, he was mostly seen in his own half covering and tracking the runs of Marcelo.

Manu Trigueros - 7/10

The midfielder was combative and very efficient in possession. He was intelligent in distribution and defended resolutely. Though this was not his best outing, he surely did his job reasonably well.

Rodri - 7.5/10

Rodri Hernandez had one job on the field, i.e., to disrupt Real's attacking game in the middle of the park. He did his job fairly well as he did put in a fine defensive shift despite the gulf in quality.

Samu Castillejo - 6/10

A major threat to Madrid's defence throughout the time he was on the pitch. He ran himself to the ground, such was his work rate as he floated all over the pitch, winning balls and initiating the attack.

Pablo Fornals - 7/10

Very much like his attacking teammates, he was a bit anonymous in the first half. However, in the second half, he was absolutely sensational as he hit the target with a peach of a strike. He troubled Madrid's centre-backs quite a bit and looked sharp and involved.

Carlos Bacca: 6/10

Bacca constantly troubled the Madrid backline with his physicality, pace, and hold-up play for his teammates. However, he did lack sharpness in the opposition’s penalty box.

Substitutes

Denis Cheryshev - 7/10

Cheryshev made quite a few surging runs throughout the match and troubled his former team’s defence. His defensive duty was even more impressive as he covered his flank well and did not give Madrid’s attackers much joy.

Enes Unal - 6.5/10

Brought on for Bacca, it was his run off the ball that opened up Madrid's defence. However, he should have scored from the chances that he got.

Antonio Rukavina - 5.5/10

He was brought on late in the game for Castillejo. He stuck to his job and was disciplined.