Real Madrid marked their return from the Christmas break with a fine 3-0 win over Jorge Sampaoli’s Sevilla in the first leg of the round-of-16 Copa Del Rey clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Some of the biggest names were unavailable for the Los Galacticos with Cristiano Ronaldo rested for the first game of 2017 along with Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos who missed out due to injury. However, James Rodriguez stepped up for Zinedine Zidane, scoring a fine opening goal early in the game before Raphael Varane doubled the lead. The Colombian then put the game to bed as he made no mistake from the spot to make it three.
The Champions League holders seemed to ease off after the break but Sevilla still struggled to create anything noteworthy in attack and the home team saw the game off with comfort to put a foot in the next round of the competitions. In what marked Zidane’s one year anniversary as the manager of the Los Blancos, let’s take a look how each player fared:
Kiko Casilla – 7
The shot-stopper enjoyed a quiet night with Sevilla hardly testing him throughout the course of the game. Made one crucial stop with the score at 2-0.
Dani Carvajal – 7
Solid from Carvajal as has become the norm. Tidy at the back, adventurous going forward, he was a constant threat to the Sevilla defence.
Raphael Varane – 8
Excellent outing for the Frenchman. A couple of missed tackles aside, he was a commanding presence in the heart of the defence for Madrid and scored the second goal with a powerful header.
Nacho – 7
His stock seems to be on the rise as he continues to impress week in week out with solid performances one after the other. And it was another such display from Nacho except for one moment of lapse when he allowed Joaquin Correa to run through at goal.
Marcelo – 8
Sevilla struggled to tie him down as the Brazilian spent most of the match in the opponent’s half. Offered a great attacking outlet down the left-hand side and was a constant threat to for Seville.
Casemiro – 8
It was business as usual for Casemiro in the middle of the park as he went about his job breaking up plays and pressing aggressively. Set up James for the opener for the Madridistas after he won the ball from an opponent in the midfield.
Toni Kroos – 7
Casemiro’s presence allowed the German to spend time higher up the pitch, which he did and offered great control for the home team. It wasn’t his best performance, but he set Varane up with a fine cross.
Luka Modric – 7
Slightly subdued on the night, yet dictated play with some authority in the midfield. Acted as the link between James and Carvajal on the right-flank. Modric himself came close to scoring with an incredible scissor-kick attempt.
James Rodriguez – 9
His best performance in the Madrid colours this season by a huge distance. Scored an excellent opener before doubling his tally from the penalty spot. Instrumental.
Marco Asensio – 7
Enjoyed a lot of space and freedom down the left-hand side and made the most of it, driving at Sevilla with every opportunity he got. A confident display from the youngster.
Alvaro Morata – 6
Worked hard throughout to create spaces for his teammates but spurned quite a few opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet.
Substitutes
Isco – 6
Replaced Asensio in the 67th minute. Wasn’t much of a threat attack-wise with Madrid taking the foot of the pedal having sealed the win.
Danilo – NA
Came on for James in the 79th minute. Had an attempt at goal saved by Sergio Rico in the Sevilla goal.
Mariano Diaz – NA
Came on to replace Morata in the 83rd minute. Almost scored with his first touch, he looks like a livewire.