La Liga 2017/18: Real Madrid 2-2 Valencia, Player Ratings

Real Madrid v Valencia - La Liga
Real Madrid dropped two crucial points against old nemesis, Valencia

A homecoming for the reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid turned out to be a wake-up call early in the season with Valencia drawing 2-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos suspended, Marco Asensio rose to the challenge and scored a stunning solo goal to give Madrid a lead in the 10th minute. Carlos Soler scored Valencia's equalizer soon after in what was a brilliant team goal.

Geoffrey Kondogbia gave Valencia a surprise lead in the final quarter of the game but Marco Asensio again scored, this time courtesy of a well struck free kick. Real Madrid salvaged a draw at the end of what could have been a demoralizing loss in just the second game of the season. On that note, take a look at how all the players fared in the closely fought La Liga game at the Bernabeu:

Real Madrid

Keylor Navas: 6/10

Navas could not do anything for both the goals that he conceded. However, he made a fine save against Dani Parejo in the second half which kept Madrid in the game.

Dani Carvajal: 5/10

Though the right back was solid for the majority of the game, he underperformed on both the occasions when Valencia scored. He was caught napping for the second goal and was also involved in a mix up with Asensio in the build-up to the first goal that Madrid conceded.

Nacho Fernandez: 6.5/10

Another solid performance from Real Madrid's otherwise squad player. Nacho drilled his defence well and kept Zaza quiet for the entire match.

Casemiro: 6/10

Playing in an unconventional centre back role, Casemiro looked comfortable and displayed his usual no nonsense approach. But his absence in midfield again proved costly for Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid.

Marcelo: 6.5/10

Another typical Marcelo showing! He was solid at the back and flashy going forward. The Brazilian created a number of chances courtesy of overlapping the forwards but the white men in the box could not take advantage of it.

Toni Kroos: 7/10

With Casemiro not present to shore up the midfield, Kroos had to do the running and also help out with the dirty work. The German excelled in his duties and was inarguably Madrid's best midfielder. Along with his tenacity, some of his passes were also brilliant.

Luka Modric: 5.5/10

The Croatian surprisingly had an off day on the field as Modric could not influence the proceedings in any way against Valencia. Though he sprayed a couple of exciting through balls, Modric largely underperformed.

Isco: 5/10

Isco was taken off because of a reported illness but looking by his first half display, he deserved to be substituted. He was anonymous for long lengths of the game as the playmaker did not look 100% match fit.

Gareth Bale: 5/10

When a player of Bale's caliber can only be commended on his work rate, you know he has had a below par game. The Welshman ran his heart out but created little impact in the final third. Sadly, he was booed off by the Real Madrid faithful.

Marco Asensio: 9.5/10

Two sensational goals. Several chances created. Real Madrid's saviour. No,it's not Cristiano Ronaldo that we are talking about. It is Marco Asensio - the 20 year old who is going from strength to strength with each passing week.

The forward delivered another blockbuster of a performance against Valencia and saved Madrid from a first loss of the season.

Karim Benzema: 4.5/10

He took great positions but missed a number of glorious chances to get on the score sheet. It was frustrating to see Benzema miss a host of chances as he genuinely could have turned the game on its head with a calmer presence in the box.

Substitutions

Matteo Kovacic: 7/10

The midfielder looked lively in the second half and Madrid did appear to be threatening with him in the centre of the park. Zidane should have started him in place of Isco with Casemiro already being deployed in defence.

Lucas Vazquez: 5/10

The winger put in a few crosses into the box and made some quick runs but did not have much time in the field to create a goal creating chance.

Borja Mayoral: 6/10

The youngster played just six minutes plus stoppage time and hence could not give much to his side. Mayoral still attempted one shot which was off target.

Valencia

Real Madrid v Valencia - La Liga
Valencia put on a valiant show throughout the course of the game

Neto: 6.5/10

Just as Navas, Neto had no answers for both of the goals that he conceded. But he made a fine save in the dying minutes of the match off a Karim Benzema header to salvage a point for his team.

Toni Lato: 6/10

The young right back had a good first showing at the Bernabeu with his late run into the final third creating the first goal for Valencia. Lato was beaten quite easily on one on one situations, an aspect the young fullback needs to work on.

Jeison Murillo: 6.5/10

An Inter Milan target, Murillo was brilliant on the ball. The central defender started attacks from the back with his pin point long balls. He also made five crucial clearances in the 90 minutes.

Ruben Vezo: 7.5/10

Vezo was the best defender of the match. He was absolutely colossal for the Mestalla outfit and never put a foot wrong in the game. Veza did not lose a duel in the entire match and won as many as 7 duels. He also made 3 successful tackles.

Martin Montoya: 5/10

The former Barcelona man was left wanting on numerous occasions as the right back found it tough against the likes of Marcelo and Bale. He also received a booking for a mistimed tackle and overall failed to win any plaudits.

Geoffrey Kondogbia: 9/10

Valencia's new signing gave a sensational performance which would have pleased his manager, Marcelinho to great lengths. Kondogbia completely bossed the midfield for Valencia with the former AS Monaco man doing a double job - a role of a destructor and also of a creator. He stopped many of Real Madrid's attacks and then sprayed the ball around with ease. Kondogbia then scored Valencia's second with a neat finish.

Dani Parejo: 7/10

An industrious performance from the Valencia fan favourite. He shielded the defence well and then made the most of it when he was in possession. Parejo could have also got on the score sheet but Navas was up to the task and made a fine save.

Jose Gaya: 6/10

Gaya had a major role in the first goal and always looked threatening on the left flank. He pinned Carvajal back when Valencia had the ball and also showed tremendous work rate.

Carlos Soler: 7/10

Valencia's youth product, Soler scored in the first big test of his career courtesy of a fine late diagonal run in the six-yard box. Soler was unmarked and had an easy tap in to equalize for Valencia. He looks threatening when on the ball and is a real prospect for Valencia and Marcelinho.

Simone Zaza: 5.5/10

Zaza showed eagerness to help his team out and was always seen running for lost causes and putting pressure on the defenders when in possession. But the striker lacked composure in the final third and could not muster a shot on target.

Rodrigo: 6/10

The forward had to drop deep to get on the ball with Zaza stationed as the main striker in the Real Madrid box. But Rodrigo linked up brilliantly with Gaya and Parejo and created a number of half chances for his side.

Substitutions

Nacho Vidal: 5.5/10

Vidal replaced Montoya in a like for like replacement and had a relatively safe performance in the 15 minutes he got on the pitch.

Nacho Gil: 6/10

Gil came in place of the impressive Toni Lato in the final 10 minutes of the game. The attacker showed intent to win the ball back from Real Madrid with his fresh legs helping Valencia to see out the final few nervy minutes.

Santi Mina: N/A

The midfielder played just two minutes and hardly had any time to have a meaningful contribution.

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Edited by Anuradha Santhanam