PSG 1-2 Real Madrid (2- 5 agg): Player Ratings

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
Real Madrid 2.0

The much-awaited second leg of the standout fixture from this year's Champions League Round of 16 did not showcase the comeback many expected. PSG had to overcome a 3-1 deficit and it was perhaps a mountain too steep to climb, especially without the injured Neymar.

The home side started the game brightly and there were very few clear-cut chances for either team to take the lead in the first half. PSG raised the tempo in the second half, but Cristiano Ronaldo rose highest to meet a Lucas Vasquez cross and to give Madrid the lead.

Things got worse for the home side when Marco Verratti was sent off following a second yellow for dissent.

And, although Edinson Cavani equalised on the night, the result was put beyond question by Casemiro whose shot went in after a major deflection.

Real Madrid qualified for the Quarter Finals of the Champions League again and have a chance to win the trophy for an unprecedented third consecutive year.

Let us look at how the players fared:

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
PSG are out the Champions League

Alphonse Areola - 8/10

Produced two outstanding saves in the first half as he got down to palm a shot from Sergio Ramos and came out on top against Benzema in a one on one situation. He could not do much about either goal but it was a great individual performance.

Dani Alves - 5/10

Except for a through ball to Mbappe and another one to Cavani, Dani Alves offered very little going forward. He was often careless in possession and was dispossessed by Asensio and that lead to the opening goal.

Thiago Silva - 6/10

The PSG captain stood solid for the majority of the game and had to make crucial blocks to prevent Benzema from scoring. He tried hard to motivate the players but in vain.

Marquinhos - 6/10

Just like his companion, Marquinhos had a decent game. He was comfortable with the ball at his feet and often tried to play out from the back. Vital interceptions and clearances were made especially in the first half to deny Madrid from scoring.

Yuri Berchiche - 5/10

The Spanish full-back did not have the best of outings as he was caught out of position by Vasquez many a time, particularly in the second half. And just like Alves, he too provided very less offensive output, except for a really good low cross to Cavani in the second half.

Marco Veratti - 6/10

A topsy-turvy night for the Italian. He was without question their best player on the pitch and was controlling proceedings. He was always looking to initiate attacks and was linking up effectively with the forwards. He was first shown a yellow for a bad tackle on Casemiro and a second one followed for dissent in the 66th minute. Perhaps he should have shown more professionalism as PSG faltered after his dismissal.

Thiago Motta - 6/10

The deepest of the midfield three and was in charge of keeping the tempo going. A clean game from the veteran, but laboured after Veratti was sent off.

Adrien Rabiot - 6/10

Rabiot did well in the first half and complemented his companions well. He was partially at fault for Madrid's second goal as his tame clearance went straight to Casemiro who scored.

Angel di Maria - 7/10

A very lively start from di Maria had many wondering if he can fill Neymar's void. He put in decent crosses in the first half and had a free kick deflected off the wall. He also had a shot saved by Navas, but faded away in the second half. Di Maria attempted 15 crosses today. He was eventually subbed off as Draxler took his place.

Edinson Cavani - 5/10

A silent first half for the Uruguayan.in which there were a couple of occasions when he was in a good scoring position but his teammates decided to shoot themselves, leaving him frustrated. Knew very little about the goal he eventually scored and had a chance to score another when he was put through by Dani Alves towards the end of the game.

Kylian Mbappe - 4/10

Should have squared the ball to Cavani who was in a better scoring position in the first half and always tried to do too much himself when he should have released the ball much quicker. A night in which Mbappe would have learned some valuable lessons.

Substitutes

Javier Pastore - 7/10

Replaced Thiago Motta immediately after going PSG went behind and put Cavani through but was flagged offside. He was lively and showed some spark going forward.

Julian Draxler - 5/10

Replaced di Maria with fifteen minutes to go but struggled to make any noteworthy contribution.

Lassana Diarra- N/A

The veteran made his first appearance in the Champions League since March 2012 when played for Real Madrid. Ws subbed in for Mbappe and had too little time to do anything.

Real Madrid

Rona
Ronaldo scores in the Champions League again!

Keylor Navas - 7/10

A quieter than expected outing for Navas as PSG only managed three shots on target. One of them needed an exceptional save from him as he kept out a low shot from di Maria in the first half.

Dani Carvajal - 7/10

Was happy to stay back and defend instead of going on the overlap every time. Was solid defensively and made a couple of really good blocks. He made 5 interceptions - the most by any player in the match.

Sergio Ramos - 8/10

The first clear chance of the game fell to Ramos when his shot was palmed away by Areola. Was confident and commanding from the back and made very few errors. He together with Varane nullified the threat of Cavani to a great extent.

Raphael Varane - 7/10

A very good game for the Frenchman as he and Ramos stood tall throughout the 90 minutes. Had to make a couple of important blocks and cleared the ball effectively.

Marcelo - 7/10

After a bit of a sloppy start, Marcelo took a bit of time to get into his stride. Put Benzema through with a brilliant through ball and another decent cross to Ronaldo, both of which were not converted. Defensively solid and put in a good shift.

Lucas Vázquez - 7/10

Often had to track back to defend in the first half but provided the assist to Ronaldo with a perfectly weighted cross. Could have scored a goal himself as his effort from a Bale cross was deflected off the outside of the post. He also created five chances, the most today.

Casemiro - 8/10

A brilliant all-round game from the Brazilian who was all over the pitch. Made a crucial block to deny Cavani a shot on goal in the second half and was involved in tackles all over the pitch. Scored Madrid's second goal as well, when he got the ball just outside the box and his shot went in deflected off the defender.

Mateo Kovacic - 6/10

Was surprisingly rash this afternoon and was extremely lucky not to get a yellow card for persistent fouling. Passing was tidy and was later subbed off.

Marco Asensio - 7/10

Another brilliant game from the youngster as he slowly starts to cement a place in the Madrid XI. Was involved in Madrid's first goal and struck the post later on. Continuously found spaces in the PSG defence and was a threat throughout the game with his quick movement from the wide areas. Asensio had a 95% passing accuracy in the final third today.

Karim Benzema - 5/10

Benzema continues to underperform and Zidane continues to pick him in his starting XI. He could have bagged a brace had he been more clinical as he missed a one on one opportunity in the first half and meekly shot wide when in a two versus one situation. Needs to find his form back before the next round.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 7/10

It was a game of few chances for Ronaldo who failed to do anything special in the first half. Proved yet again to be the right man at the right place as the superstar powerfully headed past Areola to give Madrid the lead. He scored with his only shot on target. Apart from the goal, there were instances when he should have done better, but he was the inspiration for this Real Madrid victory.

Substitutes

Toni Kroos - 6/10

Replaced Kovacic immediately after Cavani equalised as Zidane wanted to take advantage of the extra man and control the midfield. And that is exactly what the German did as he stabilised Madrid's system.

Gareth Bale - 6/10

Replaced Benzema and provided fresh legs on the pitch. Almost got an assist as Vazquez pounced upon his cross to shoot it against the upright.

Isco - N/A

Came in for Asensio and had very little time on his hand to affect the match.

Quick Links