Real Madrid's recent trip to Lisbon ended in a 4-2 defeat, a result that felt more lopsided than the score suggested. Benfica's strategy was to isolate Madrid's defenders in transition, exploit their high defensive line, and capitalize on a team that struggled to maintain stability without the ball. Here's a breakdown of the player ratings:
Starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois - 7: Courtois made seven saves and was often left stranded, with a defense that offered minimal protection. His performance was commendable, but he was on an island.
Fede Valverde - 7: Valverde demonstrated a strong understanding of the game. He effectively read passing lanes, evaded pressure, and brought much-needed intensity and stability to a chaotic match.
Raul Asencio - 6.5: Asencio faced a challenging task, holding a high line against Benfica's swift pace and movement. He generally performed well, even delivering a quality moment with an assist to Mbappé. However, he lost his composure late and received a second yellow card.
Dean Huijsen - 6.5: Huijsen had a mixed performance. He made a few poor giveaways but also helped with clean distribution on the left and stepped up when needed. Given the constant stretching of Madrid's defense, his performance was encouraging.
Álvaro Carreras - 5.5: Carreras was a targeted weak link for Benfica. He was repeatedly burned defensively, especially by Prestianni and Dedic, and Madrid struggled to provide consistent protection. While not a complete disaster, he was a significant vulnerability.
Aurélien Tchouaméni - 5: Tchouaméni had a rough game. He was unreliable in distribution, inconsistent in tracking runners, and seemed uncertain about his role. As a player expected to provide structure, he appeared all over the place.
Arda Güler - 7.5: Güler was Real Madrid's standout performer. He consistently sought the perfect final pass and ended with six key passes, showcasing his intelligence, creativity, and composure.
Jude Bellingham - 6: Bellingham contributed to Madrid's second goal and worked hard defensively. However, he struggled to dominate in the final third, as the match didn't flow in a rhythm that suited his style.
Kylian Mbappé - 7: Mbappé scored both of Madrid's goals and consistently threatened Benfica's back line. However, his sloppiness in deeper areas was a concern, as some giveaways invited unnecessary pressure from Benfica.
Vinicius Jr. - 3: Vinicius Jr. had a disastrous performance. He repeatedly lost possession, disrupted attacks, and spent too much time complaining instead of tracking back or pressing. Madrid needed maturity and urgency from him, but instead, they got turnovers and negative energy.
Substitutes:
Rodrygo - 5.5: Rodrygo had a bizarre performance. He was excellent in the sequence leading to Madrid's second goal and brought creativity, but he also received two yellow cards.
Eduardo Camavinga - 6.5: Camavinga made a decent cameo, distributing the ball well and later shifting to left-back, offering stability and ball progression that Madrid needed.
Brahim Díaz - 5: Díaz struggled to find space and couldn't help create it for the team. He had one wayward shot attempt, but overall, he didn't significantly impact the match. Benfica's well-organized defense overwhelmed him.
