Real Madrid Struggle Against Sevilla: Player Ratings & Match Report

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Post on May 18, 2025

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Real Madrid Struggle Against Sevilla: Player Ratings & Match Report

Real Madrid's unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt on Saturday as they battled to a frustrating 1-1 draw against a resilient Sevilla side at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. The result leaves Carlo Ancelotti's men with questions to answer as they navigate a demanding La Liga season. While the reigning champions dominated possession, they lacked the cutting edge needed to break down a stubborn Sevilla defense, highlighting a potential vulnerability in their otherwise formidable squad.

A Tense Affair in Seville:

The match started at a frenetic pace. Both teams traded blows early on, with Sevilla showing a clear intent to attack and unsettle the Real Madrid defense. The home side took the lead through a stunning long-range effort from Ivan Rakitic in the 21st minute, leaving Thibaut Courtois with no chance. Real Madrid responded with their typical attacking prowess, creating several chances but failing to convert them with the usual clinical efficiency. The equalizer finally arrived in the second half, a deflected effort from Karim Benzema that left Bono, the Sevilla goalkeeper, helpless. Despite late pressure, neither team could find a winner, leaving the score at a hard-fought 1-1.

Player Ratings:

Here's a breakdown of the individual performances, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses:

• Thibaut Courtois (7/10): Made a couple of vital saves, especially in the first half, preventing a heavier defeat. Could do little about Rakitic's thunderbolt.

• Eder Militao (6/10): Solid defensively for the most part, but occasionally looked shaky against Sevilla's quick counter-attacks.

• David Alaba (6.5/10): A consistent presence at the back. Showed his usual composure and distribution.

• Antonio Rüdiger (6/10): A few misplaced passes and struggles against the physicality of Sevilla’s forwards.

• Ferland Mendy (6.5/10): Offered good defensive support and provided some decent crosses from the left flank.

• Luka Modrić (7.5/10): A tireless display in midfield. His passing and creativity were key to Real Madrid’s build-up play. A bright spot in a frustrating performance.

• Toni Kroos (7/10): Dictated the tempo of the game for large portions, although his usual pinpoint accuracy was occasionally lacking.

• Aurelien Tchouaméni (6.5/10): Showed glimpses of his potential, but needs to be more consistent in his defensive contributions.

• Federico Valverde (6/10): Worked tirelessly, but his final ball often let him down.

• Karim Benzema (7/10): Scored the crucial equalizer, showing his predatory instincts. However, he was relatively quiet for large parts of the game.

• Vinicius Junior (6.5/10): A constant threat down the left wing, but his final product was lacking. Constantly targeted by the Sevilla defense.

Analysis & Conclusion:

The draw against Sevilla serves as a wake-up call for Real Madrid. While they dominated possession, their finishing was wasteful, and their defense, while not disastrous, showed occasional vulnerability. The midfield struggled to consistently unlock Sevilla’s well-organized defense, and the lack of a consistent goal threat beyond Benzema is a concern. Ancelotti will need to address these issues before their next crucial fixture. The game highlights the importance of maintaining focus and clinical finishing throughout the 90 minutes, crucial elements if Real Madrid are to successfully defend their La Liga title. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining their ability to overcome this minor setback and regain their winning momentum. The battle for La Liga supremacy is far from over.