Real Madrid

Real Madrid ratings vs Real Sociedad: Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal mistakes prove costly as beleaguered Blancos beaten

Thomas Hindle
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Eder Militao Dani Carvajal Real Madrid 2022-23
Carlo Ancelotti's much-changed side slipped to a 2-0 defeat in San Sebastian, leaving Barcelona within touching distance of winning La Liga

Eder Militao's second-half error, followed by a sending-off for Dani Carvajal, led Real Madrid to a 2-0 defeat against Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad in San Sebastian on Tuesday.

La Real enjoyed a more convincing first half, putting pressure on a much-changed Madrid line up. Martin Zubimendi came the closest to breaking the deadlock, with the Barcelona transfer target rattling the bar from five yards out after mistiming his effort.

They capitalised on that pressure early in the second half, as Militao's wayward pass fell to the feet of Take Kubo, who couldn't miss against his former club.

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Madrid's evening got even more difficult after Carvajal was given his marching orders for an admittedly soft second yellow with 30 minutes to play, and the hosts grabbed a second to put things beyond doubt late on, as substitute Ander Barrenetxea drifted inside Lucas Vazquez and fired the ball into the bottom corner.

Los Blancos have nothing else to play for in La Liga. Barcelona have the title all-but wrapped up, and there is only a slim chance that Madrid will finish below second place. Attention, then, turns to their Champions League semi-final with Manchester City, and if this is all a warm up, it's not a particularly convincing one.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Estadio de Anoeta...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Thibaut Courtois (5/10):

    Made one excellent save to keep the game tied at 0-0 in the first half. Perhaps shouldn't have been beaten at his near post for the second goal.

    Dani Carvajal (5/10):

    Sent off in the second half for picking up two yellows in quick succession. Was struggling until then.

    Eder Militao (4/10):

    Appeared to pick up a knock in the first half, but played through it. Would perhaps have been better off exiting the game, as he played Kubo in for La Real's opener.

    Antonio Rudiger (6/10):

    Struggled to deal with the powerful Sorloth. Some of his passing was woeful.

    Nacho (5/10):

    Given a nightmarish evening by Kubo. Looked tired by the end of things.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Dani Ceballos (4/10):

    Lost the most duels on the pitch, didn't create a single chance. One of his worst performances of the season.

    Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

    Some nice touches and measured distribution, but was never given the time on the ball to be expressive.

    Toni Kroos (6/10):

    Passed efficiently, as per usual. Forced a smart save in the second half. Sacrificed for a right-back after Carvajal was sent off.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Marco Asensio (5/10):

    Keeps following standout showings with disappearing acts. Does he deserve a new contract?

    Mariano Diaz (5/10):

    Touched the ball 13 times in 58 disappointing minutes.

    Rodrygo (7/10):

    Completed eight dribbles, but was ineffective around the goal in an unfamiliar right-wing position.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Alvaro Rodriguez (6/10):

    A straight swap for Mariano. More mobile up front, but couldn't change things.

    Lucas Vazquez (5/10):

    Brought on for right-back cover after Carvajal was sent off. Lost for the home side's second.

    Sergio Arribas (N/A):

    Made his second appearance of the season to chase a lost cause.

    Carlo Ancelotti (4/10):

    His hand was largely forced by a series of injuries and suspensions, but Ancelotti didn't get the best out of a heavily-rotated side. The midfield trio of Kroos, Tchouameni and Ceballos, in particular, was disappointing. At the other end, Madrid were simply ineffective without Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema. It's easy to wonder if the manager could have made more drastic changes, but he was predictable, and Madrid suffered for it.