'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 David Alaba
Eyebrows were raised when Real Madrid decided to ship off central defenders Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the same transfer window. They only brought in David Alaba from Bayern Munich to fill in, but the Austrian was far from a like-for-like replacement.
Since the start of the season, Alaba has proven each of his doubters wrong. He has been equally brilliant as a left-back and a centre-back, popping up with important contributions at either end of the pitch.
Against Sheriff, Alaba not only performed exceptionally well at the back, but he also scored Real Madrid’s opener from a free kick. The set-piece specialist got the opportunity to put his side ahead in the 30th minute, and he did not disappoint.
His left-footed effort was helped along by a massive deflection off the Sheriff wall and hit the back of the net.
#2 Karim Benzema
Real Madrid’s leading goalscorer for the season (15 goals), Karim Benzema, endured a quiet start against Sheriff on Wednesday. He was doing his best to get involved, but could not seem to get his shots away in the first half.
The Frenchman, however, bounced back strongly in the second half and continued to drift into dangerous positions. His tenacity finally paid dividend in the 55th minute when Ferland Mendy found the 33-year-old at the edge of the area.
The Nations League winner put his foot through to find the bottom left corner of Sheriff’s goal. His goal put Real Madrid 3-0 up and practically sealed Round of 16 qualification for the visitors.
#1 Toni Kroos
Over the last couple of seasons, Real Madrid have often received flak for sticking with their ageing, predictable midfielders. Los Blancos, however, have not tinkered with the three-time Champions League-winning midfield, keeping the trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro intact.
Against Sheriff, the trio once again proved their mettle, showing how much they bring to the table.
As always, Kroos acted as the metronome of the team. His passes, both horizontal and vertical, helped Real Madrid maintain their shape and he was not shy of pushing forward as well.
Operating primarily on the left-side of the midfield, Kroos got into threatening positions time and again and eventually got the goal he deserved.
Just before the half-time whistle, a well-worked Real Madrid move allowed Kroos to take a shot at Sheriff’s goal. He side-footed the ball in typical fashion, hit the underside of the crossbar, and saw it go over the line.
