Real Madrid

Real Madrid player ratings vs Espanyol: Vinicius Jr remains red hot as Aurelien Tchouameni shines in comeback win

Thomas Hindle
Last updated
Comments (0)
Vinicius Jr Real Madrid 2022-23
Los Blancos fell behind early but the Brazilian forward netted the equaliser before goals from Eder Militao and Marco Asensio sealed victory

Real Madrid warmed-up for a week that sees them face Liverpool and Barcelona with victory over Espanyol on Saturday, as Vinicius Junior again showed why he is being spoken about as one of the world's in-form forwards.

🏆 TOP STORY: 'Liar!' - Angry Benzema destroys Deschamps

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: Who should sign Harry Kane this summer?

🚨 MUST READ: Rashford & the players PSG should target

Espanyol opened the scoring after 10 minutes, working a fluid counter-attack before Joselu arrowed an effort into the top corner.

But Madrid responded through Vinicius, who cut onto his right foot and whipped a shot inside the far post after 22 minutes.

Eder Militao then gave Madrid the lead shortly before half-time after finding himself entirely unmarked at the far post to nod Aurelien Tchouameni's cross in off the crossbar.

Marco Asensio lashed in a third in second-half stoppage time to momentarily cut Barca's lead atop La Liga to just six points, and complete a reasonably routine win in a season that has been lacking in them.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
    Getty Images

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Thibaut Courtois (7/10):

    Didn't even dive for the Espanyol opener, but stopped it from being 2-0 inside 20 minutes with a fine save. Had only one other save to make, so hard to fault him.

    Dani Carvajal (6/10):

    A good shift from a player who is still first choice at right-back. Madrid certainly need an extra full-back this summer, but Carvajal was solid here.

    Eder Militao (7/10):

    Asleep for Espanyol's goal, but redeemed himself with a header to give Madrid the lead. Imperious thereafter.

    Nacho (7/10):

    Solid defensively. Picked up a lovely assist for Asensio's goal in stoppage-time with a winding run from his own half.

    Eduardo Camavinga (5/10):

    Entirely misjudged a long ball in the build-up to Espanyol's opener. He's clearly not a left-back.

  2. Midfield
    Getty Images

    Midfield

    Luka Modric (7/10):

    Broke out the standard array of trivela passes and driving runs from the midfield. Makes the game look so easy.

    Aurelien Tchouameni (8/10):

    Provided a wonderful assist for Militao and did all of his defensive work well. His best showing in months.

    Toni Kroos (7/10):

    Kept everything ticking, completing 93 percent of his passes. Had a few attempts from long range, too.

  4. Attack
    Getty Images

    Attack

    Vinicius Jr (8/10):

    Equalised with a signature cut inside and shot into the far corner. Created four chances and took six shots. Dangerous, as usual.

    Rodrygo (7/10):

    Started through the middle in the absence of Benzema. Much improved there after a handful of poor showings. Unlucky not to score after rattling a free-kick off the bar.

    Federico Valverde (6/10):

    Not his liveliest showing, but created a couple of chances and didn't do too much wrong. Still unclear whether he's better as a right-winger or central midfielder.

  5. Subs & Manager
    Getty Images

    Subs & Manager

    Marco Asensio (7/10):

    Took his goal well to wrap things up.

    Antonio Rudiger (6/10):

    Not fit enough to start, given 20 minutes to steady things at the back.

    Dani Ceballos (6/10):

    A pleasant, if rather brief, runaround.

    Alvaro Rodriguez (N/A):

    Will have been disappointed that he wasn't in the starting XI. On the pitch for five minutes.

    Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

    Had his hand forced by a couple of injuries, but the Modric-Tchouameni-Kroos midfield trio worked a treat. He'll be happy that Madrid recovered from an early deficit, too. Onto Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, where Los Blancos should go through after leading 5-2 on aggregate.