Courtois y Valverde. That sums up the positive things about Real Madrid and Anfield. The goalkeeper stopped everything he had and the Falcon fulfilled wherever they put him. The rest of Madrid was once again a team without a clear identity and weak in defense. And without Mbappé, the great highlight of the night. He came for games like this and continues to do games like this. Without generating danger, without leading, nothing. He was also not successful in scoring a penalty. Kylian continues without being Vinicius, but he also continues without being Kylian. Madrid has found itself in a labyrinth this Champions League.
Holders
Courtois: immeasurable, but it cannot do everything. In the first half he made himself huge to stop a point-blank shot from Darwin and did not hesitate to punch away a subsequent header. Firm, sure. In the second he saved a header from Bradley to reaffirm that he is the best goalkeeper in the world. But he couldn't do anything about Mac Allister's shot. Use: 8.
Valverde: Once again, he showed that he is an outstanding performer no matter where they put him. Even on the right side. Solid in defense and without taking risks at the start. To put a but, this last one. Sometimes he was afraid and cleared, instead of trying to get the ball played. Ancelotti asked him to be longer to stretch the team and, on command. Use: 7.
Asencio: It was its selectivity and it left certain doubts. Quick to the cut, brave at the start and, above all, strong to withstand Darwin's bodies. There good. But at 1-0 he was too soft against Mac Allister's shot. A failure that tarnishes the night. Like his lack of forcefulness overlooked in the second half. Anfield maintains doubts as to whether it is up to such a demanding level of football. Use: 5.
Rüdiger: leader in terms of attitude, just what has been asked for since Militao's injury. Let him assume gallons, step forward. He is doing it. He was crucial in clearing Liverpool's lateral crosses. His drawback is that he made some mistakes when getting the ball out. Use: 5.
Mendy (70′): non-existent in attack, just as Ancelotti had planned. Because with Mbappé available, his job is limited to locking down the left-footed profile, being a nightmare for Salah. It was… at times. Because at the hour mark he committed the penalty on the Egyptian that would tarnish his night. Use: 4.
Camavinga (56′): irregular, although better than Modric. Because in the recovery he was remarkable, wasting that electricity that he treasures, omnipresent. The problem is that, like the rest of the midfielders, he bordered on disaster with the ball. He corrects that, in a way, this was more of Modric's task. But he wasn't brilliant either. To make matters worse, he was injured in the second half, apparently in the hamstring area. Use: 4.
Modric (79′): night to forget Arriving late to split balls and missing many passes. His gestures denoted anger at an image that, in a certain way, is his responsibility. Because the rudder was in his hands. He was the conductor of an out-of-tune orchestra (a role shared with Ancelotti). He fails in the second goal, since Gakpo was his marker, but it is a basic error that he is the one who has to mark Gakpo. Use: 2.
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Güler (56′): more impetus than success. He didn't spare a single race, not a single crash, nothing at all. He did everything possible to take advantage of a night that, in his situation, was worth its weight in gold. But it didn't shine. Little incisive in attacks and making poor decisions in finishing. A great player who needs more consistency; but he did not shine at Anfield. Use: 4.
Bellingham: missing. Absolutely nothing in attack, almost nothing in creation and wandering in defense. Chasing shadows, while trying to help Mendy. It wasn't a question of attitude. He is simply lost in this position. And with this game. He does not appear in the area to finish and, by falling so far to the left wing, he can barely make a point in the engine room. A general disaster. Use: 3.
Brahim: a lot of courage, but little else. Fighting for every ball, successful in the passes… but almost all of them backwards and not very dangerous. A situation similar to that of Güler. You could tell he knew it was a brilliant opportunity, but it didn't turn out to be a great performance. Use: 4.
Mbappé: wine for nights like these. When Madrid is on the ropes, fighting against a powerful and needy fighter. And it didn't appear. He played more leaning towards the left wing… but not like that either. He practically did not leave Bradley and ended up falling into the sin of going inside looking for a shot that never came. He didn't lead, he didn't shine. It wasn't Vinicius. And he's still not Mbappé. To make matters worse, a missed penalty that would have been the tie. And who knows. He came for nights like these and not to star in nights like these. Use: 1.
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Substitutes
Lucas Vázquez (56′): He entered to allow Valverde to move to the engine room. Weak in defense, but without grotesque errors. Note: 4.
Ceballos (56'): on the line of the match, without managing to take control of possession. Going unnoticed. Note: 4.
Fran García (70′): He came on to replace Mendy, who had seen yellow for the penalty caused. Salah was a pain in the ass. Use: 5.
Endrick (79′): He entered very late and after several minutes of being requested by the displaced Real Madrid fans. With hardly any opportunities to intervene. Use: 5.
