'%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)
Real Madrid returned to winning ways after three games, as the reigning La Liga champions beat Sevilla 1-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday.
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou squandered Vinicius Junior's effort into his own net as Los Blancos won in Seville for the second consecutive time in the league.
Los Rojiblancos, who've so often caused Madrid plenty of trouble here, struggled creatively today. However, they saw two overhead kicks from Luuk de Jong and Lucas Ocampos saved by Thibaut Courtois in the second half.
The defeat was their fourth of the season in La Liga and second in just four days, having been routed 4-0 by Chelsea in the Champions League earlier in the week.
Here are the hits and flops from the match:
Hit: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
It was another vintage performance from the ageless Croatian today, who was simply the best player for his side and made an impact at both ends of the pitch. He was press-resistant, making some nice touches under pressure and driving the ball out of tight areas, and helped free up space for Rodrygo on the right.
Modric helped cover defensively too. He covered for Nacho when the latter was caught upfield by shifting to the opposite flank. Modric also dealt with the marauding Aleix Vidal nicely whenever Rodrygo drew too far upfield.
He even took one for the team by catching Fernando after the Brazilian appeared to launch into an attack.
It's almost impossible to believe the work-rate the 35-year old shows week in, week out. Perhaps that's what separates him from the ordinary for Real Madrid.
Flop: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
He forced the own goal in the match after brilliantly anticipating Mendy's cross, but that was the only highlight of an otherwise poor game from the Brazilian. His first touches were woefully poor and he even missed a great chance to put Real Madrid ahead in the first half.
It was really frustrating to watch him waste some attacking moves because he either couldn't control the ball well or took a touch that was too heavy. More embarrassingly, he failed to even connect with the ball from just a yard out when it bounced right in front of him.
His evening came to a positive end eventually. He helped seal another victory for Real Madrid and attempted the most dribbles on the night (8). However, he's still far from a finished article and needs to work on his finishing too.
Hit: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Another clean sheet for the Belgian, and a morale-boosting one too, given his horrendous mistake against Alaves last weekend. This was his second consecutive domestic clean sheet for Real Madrid, not a mean feat by any chance.
He didn't face a single shot in the first half, but came up trumps after the break by pulling off two wonderful saves. He was equal to De Jong's overhead kick and showed strong hands to collect it into his arms. He then kept out another overhead effort, this time from Ocampos, by getting down quickly to push it out of play.
After a tough last few games for him, Courtois will be delighted with his performance, as well as the clean sheet. It's his fourth of the season in La Liga after 12 games. Not bad.
Flop: Luuk de Jong (Sevilla)
Julen Lopetegui must've been left wondering if he should've started the in-form Youssef En-Nesyri in the striker's role instead of Luuk de Jong. The latter had a poor game and didn't test Real Madrid, besides with an overhead kick in the second half.
Make no mistake, the Dutchman is a good striker. However, he has been struggling for form this season, netting only twice from 10 games and scoring none since his goal against Barcelona two months ago.
To be fair to him, Sevilla mustered little creativity and failed to provide him with proper service. However, even in the rare occasions where the 30-year old targetman received the ball upfront, he couldn't get a shot away as he failed to connect with the crosses.
Hit: Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)
It was a very solid performance from the Spaniard, who performed his attacking duties to a tee for Real Madrid. He showed great eagerness to find space when moving forward and completed five out of six attempted dribbles, the most in the match.
Defensively too, he was sound, maintaining discipline and getting back when Real Madrid were not in possession. He made two tackles and clearances each, while also winning 10 out of 14 duels.
He may not garner headlines like his more glamorous teammates, but Vazquez has been secretly crucial to his side. His recent performances for Real Madrid further accentuate that.
