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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jacob Steinberg at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid (agg 0-4): Champions League player ratings

Chelsea (3-4-2-1)

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) The Spaniard stood up to his first test, denying Luka Modric with a sharp save. He was exposed for both of Madrid’s goals in the second half. 6/10

Wesley Fofana (RCB) The defender had a nightmare during the first leg and was keen to make amends. He played with aggression against Vinícius and tried to support the attack. 7

Thiago Silva (CB) The veteran made some important interceptions and coped with Karim Benzema. However, Silva forces Chelsea to defend deep and he was beaten by Fede Valverde for Madrid’s second goal. 6

Trevoh Chalobah (LCB) Kalidou Koulibaly’s replacement gave his all and delivered a wholehearted performance but his defending for the goal was naive. Rodrygo punished him for diving in. 6

Reece James (RWB) A dominant figure on the right flank during the first half. James looked sharper and his crosses caused problems. Booked for a bad foul on Eduardo Camavinga. 7

Enzo Fernández (CM) The £106.8m midfielder was guilty of some poor deliveries from set-pieces. Fernández was busy on the ball and threatened an equaliser but he needed to offer more in possession. 6

Mateo Kovacic (CM) The Croatian tried to maintain Chelsea’s early tempo and was involved in an engaging battle with Madrid’s midfielders. He made no difference in the key areas. 6

Marc Cucurella (LWB) In for the suspended Ben Chilwell, the much-maligned Spaniard got into some good positions but he lacked conviction and wasted an easy chance just before half-time. 6

N’Golo Kanté (AM) Pushed on and unsettled Real Madrid with his dynamism. However, he is not a natural attacker and he missed a glorious chance to give Chelsea an early lead. 6

N’Golo Kanté misses a chance against Real Madrid.
N’Golo Kanté reacts after missing a glorious chance to put Chelsea ahead. Photograph: James Williamson/AMA/Getty Images

Conor Gallagher (AM) A surprise selection in an advanced role, the midfielder tried to influence the game with his energetic running. Ultimately, he lacked the quality to hurt Madrid. 6

Kai Havertz (CF) The German needed more support. He battled against his markers but could not find space in the box. One run hinted at promise but Havertz’s shot was tame. 6

Substitutes: Mykhailo Mudryk (for Cucurella 68) 5; Raheem Sterling (for Fernández 67) 5; João Félix (for Gallagher 67) 5; Mason Mount (for Havertz 77) 6.

Real Madrid (4-3-3)

Thibaut Courtois (GK) The Belgian was barracked on his return to his old club. Courtois responded with a spectacular save from Cucurella. He wound up the Chelsea fans by kissing the badge. 8

Dani Carvajal (RB) The dependable Spaniard had to be dogged against the persistence of Cucurella. Carvajal stood firm and did not let anyone down. He also kept Mudryk quiet. 7

Éder Militão (CB) Out of the next game after picking up a booking. He made a vital block on Kanté but was fortunate not to be sent off when he caught Chalobah. 6

David Alaba (CB) The Austrian had to go off at half-time and was replaced by Antonio Rudiger, who was unsurprisingly keen to impress against his old club. 6

Eduardo Camavinga (LB) The teenager is not a natural full-back and Chelsea looked to target his inexperience. James, Fofana and Kanté outnumbered Camavinga, who did well to keep his calm. 6

Luka Modric (CM) The Croatian caused surprise by misplacing a few passes in the first half but there were plenty of moments when he threatened to pick Chelsea apart. 7

Thibaut Courtois makes a key save from Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella
Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a key save from Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella on the stroke of half-time. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Toni Kroos (CM) So cool on the ball. The German sat deep and sought to calm things down with some measured passing. Chelsea were never able to knock him off his stride. 7

Fede Valverde (CM) The Uruguayan is Madrid’s engine in midfield. He ran the length of the pitch at one stage to create a chance. He made Rodrygo’s second with a fine run. 8

Rodrygo (RW) The winger was quiet during the first half but still lashed a shot against the woodwork. He then burst into life during the second half and finished Chelsea off. 8 (MOTM)

Karim Benzema (CF) The striker went down with an early injury and was subdued. Benzema gave the ball away and shot straight at Arrizabalaga in the second half. 6

Vinícius Júnior (LW) The Brazilian was Madrid’s biggest threat. Chelsea tried to keep as many men on him as possible. But Vinícius was a constant threat and he produced a composed assist for Rodrygo. 8

Substitutes: Antonio Rüdiger (for Alaba ht) 7; Dani Ceballos (for Kroos 76) 6; Aurelien Tchouaméni (for Benzema 71) 7; Nacho (for Carvajal 82) 6; Marco Asensio (for Rodrygo 81) 6.

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