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Real Madrid hosted Malaga in LaLiga's gameweek 13, with hopes of acquiring all three points, which they did, albeit with some effort. They had to fend off a resilient Malaga side who came back from behind on two occasions to equalise the score, but only to trail again just minutes later.
The first half saw Real control the proceedings. They looked better and ended the first half with two goals, scored by Karim Benzema and Casemiro, against Malaga's one, scored by Diego Rolan. However, the second half saw Malaga being dominant and Real lose control.
Malaga equalised via Castro, only to see Cristiano Ronaldo finally put Real ahead against the run of play, for only his second La Liga goal of the season, to end the game 3-2
Here are the player ratings for either side:
Real Madrid
Kiko Casilla - 5.5/10
He had one of the busier days of his career between the post. Malaga were threatening and they did break his resolve twice. He could and should have done better for the second goal as there was ample amount of time to read the ball's trajectory.
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 Malaga's defence.
Jesus Vallejo - 6/10
This was a poor game by the Spaniard. He made important tackles and interceptions but also showed signs of inexperience, especially in the second half. He should have closed down Castro, who was left in acres of space to shoot.
Raphael Varane - 7/10
Varane had a good game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks and clearances and was a calm head in the heart of the Real Madrid's defence.
Marcelo - 6.5/10
Back in his 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. He, however, was guilty of giving too much space on his side which, unfortunately, was exploited as both the goals were built up on his side of the pitch.
Casemiro - 7.5/10
The Brazillian gave an amazing defensive display in the middle of the park as he won everything coming his way. He broke up plays and initiated attacks. He even scored a goal to round off his impressive outing.
Toni Kroos - 6.5/10
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 Malaga's defence.
Lucas Vazquez - 6/10
Vazquez looked sharp in possession and enjoyed the ball at his feet. However, he just could not deliver the end product. He did win quite a few free-kicks, albeit in not so dangerous areas, which Real Madrid could not capitalise on.
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 Modric.
Karim Benzema - 7/10
Benzema opened the scoring for Real Madrid with a fine finish. He was involved in the buildups and looked sharp upon his return from injuries. He even contributed defensively and tracked the runs of opposition fullbacks on a number of occasions.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 6.5/10
Ronaldo did win the match for Real Madrid, but in the end, his performance was not quite up to the standards he has set himself up. He missed a lot of opportunities, and generally, was not much involved in too many build-up plays.
Substitutes:
Theo Hernandez - 6/10
He was introduced in place of Kroos and continued his good work defensively on Madrid's left flank.
Luka Modric - 7/10
Brought on for Isco, he was quite influential as he won the penalty from which Ronaldo scored the winning goal.
Borja Mayoral - N/A
Came on in the 89th minute and couldn't really influence the game.
Malaga
Roberto Jimenez - 8/10
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's shots and his penalty.
Roberto Rosales - 7/10
Defending the right flank for Malaga, he put in a fairly decent performance. He was troubled a bit whenever Marcelo overlapped, and in general, got the better of him. Attacking, he showed the willingness to join the attack but lacked the end product.
Diego 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 Malaga in the game.
Luis Hernandez - 7/10
The centre-back was solid for the most part of the game and shut out Real's strikers quite efficiently in both halves. However, he conceded a penalty when the scores were level and it was converted.
Juan Perez - 7.5/10
Perez struggled against the combined pace of Lucas Vazquez and Carvajal during the initial exchanges. However, his night was cut short by an injury.
Recio - 6.5/10
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.
Adrian Gonzalez - 7/10
Adrian had a decent game. Though he was not much influential in the first half, he came out on top in the midfield battle against Real’s midfield during the final 45 minutes. His distribution was efficient if not eye-catching.
Keko - 7.5/10
The winger, for the most part, was seen in his own half defending. In attack, he helped in the team's buildups and was a constant thorn for Real Madrid's defence. He assisted his side's both the goals.
Adalberto Penaranda - 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.
Gonzalo Castro - 7/10
Very much like his 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.
Diego Rolan - 7/10
Rolan started the game for the Andulasian club and was probably their best player in the first half, opening the scoring for them. However, he did fade away a bit in the second half, but was still quite involved in buildup plays for his team.
Substitutes:
Juanpi - 5.5/10
He came on for Keko in the second half but could never keep up his good work. He drifted in and out of the game and was fairly anonymous.
Paul Baysse - 6/10
Came on for Perez with ten minutes to go in the first half, and did his fair bit defensively. Although he was not as solid a fullback as Perez, he did get the job done.
Borja Baston - 5.5/10
On for Penaranda with thirty minutes still to go, he never could get better of the Madrid's centrebacks. He was marshalled quite easily and thus blunted Malaga's attacking edge.
