Real Madrid's Narrow Escape: Player Ratings From Tense Sevilla Victory

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Post on May 19, 2025

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Real Madrid's Narrow Escape: Player Ratings from a Tense Sevilla Victory

Real Madrid scraped a crucial 2-1 victory against Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, a match that highlighted both the team's attacking prowess and its defensive vulnerabilities. The win, secured late thanks to a controversial penalty, keeps Carlo Ancelotti's side firmly in the La Liga title race, but the performance left much to be desired. Let's delve into the individual player ratings from this tense encounter.

A Hard-Fought Win, But Questions Remain

The match was a rollercoaster. Sevilla, energized by their home crowd, played with intensity and purpose, troubling Real Madrid's defense throughout. While Karim Benzema's clinical finish and a late penalty converted by Luka Modrić secured the three points, the performance was far from flawless. Defensive lapses and a lack of consistent control in midfield raised concerns for Ancelotti ahead of upcoming crucial fixtures. The victory, while vital, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Real Madrid this season.

Player Ratings: A Mixed Bag

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

• Thibaut Courtois (7/10): Made several crucial saves to keep Real Madrid in the game, particularly in the first half. His commanding presence in the box was vital.

• Dani Carvajal (6/10): A solid defensive display, but lacked his usual attacking impetus. Seemed to struggle against Sevilla's quick wingers at times.

• Éder Militão (6/10): A mixed bag. Made some vital interceptions but also looked shaky at times, particularly when dealing with Sevilla's aerial threat.

• David Alaba (6.5/10): Relatively composed at the back, offering more stability than Militão. His passing was key in transitioning play.

• Ferland Mendy (5.5/10): Struggled defensively and offered little going forward. Needs to improve his consistency and decision-making.

• Luka Modrić (8/10): The veteran midfielder orchestrated play with his usual elegance. His late penalty was crucial and he dictated the tempo of the game when Real Madrid needed it most.

• Aurélien Tchouaméni (7/10): Showed his strength and tenacity in midfield, winning back possession effectively. Needs to improve his passing accuracy in the final third.

• Federico Valverde (7.5/10): A tireless performance, constantly pressing and harrying the Sevilla midfield. His energy was infectious.

• Vinícius Júnior (7/10): A constant threat on the wing, causing problems for the Sevilla defense with his pace and dribbling. His final ball could have been better.

• Karim Benzema (8.5/10): Clinical as always, scoring a crucial goal with a composed finish. His movement and link-up play were also impressive.

• Rodrygo (6.5/10): Came on as a substitute and added pace and energy to the attack. His direct running caused Sevilla problems.

What Next for Real Madrid?

This narrow victory serves as a wake-up call for Real Madrid. While the three points are crucial in the La Liga title race, Ancelotti needs to address the defensive concerns. Improving the team's consistency and controlling midfield battles will be key in their upcoming fixtures. The next few weeks will be pivotal in determining their success this season. The team's ability to adapt and improve on this performance will be crucial in their quest for silverware. The performance against Sevilla highlighted both Real Madrid's strengths and their vulnerabilities, setting the stage for an intriguing remainder of the season.