Fran Garcia 8.5, Mbappe 7.5 | Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid – Player ratings | OneFootball

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid played out a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on matchday 23 of La Liga as they shared the points for the second time this season in as many Madrid derbies. The result means Los Blancos remain top of the league standings with 50 points on the board.

The first half of the match was largely uneventful until the referee made a controversial decision against Aurelien Tchouameni and pointed to the penalty spot after a VAR check. Julian Alvarez obliged from 12 yards out and gave the visitors a lead with a Panenka down the middle.

Real Madrid dominated the game afterwards and were far superior in the second half with their endless probing paying off five minutes after the break with Kylian Mbappe equalising. The Frenchman’s 16th goal of the season came after some good work down the right flank by Rodrygo Goes.

It was a game the Whites probably deserved to win in the grand scheme of things but they paid the price for a pathetic decision by the referee as well as a first half in which they did very little offensively. Having said that, here are the player ratings from the clash:

Thibaut Courtois – 6

Thibaut Courtois scores a six not because he was bad, but because he had barely anything to do all night. The Belgian was a spectator for much of the game as Atleti’s only shot on target was the penalty they scored in the first half.

Lucas Vazquez – 7

Lucas Vazquez honestly exceeded expectations at right back as he did decently against Samuel Lino. Going forward, he linked up with Rodrygo but was not up to the mark with his crossing.

Aurelien Tchouameni – 7

Aurelien Tchouameni safely kept Julian Alvarez at bay for much of the game and made five recoveries. He was the guilty party to the referee’s controversial penalty call but looked good otherwise.

Raul Asencio – 8

Raul Asencio was on top of his game once more as he absolutely nullified Antoine Griezmann with his tight man marking. He won 100% of his tackles and made five clearances in the game.

Fran Garcia – 8.5

Fran Garcia was brilliant as he was handed a start over Ferland Mendy. He was in good positions in the final third and rarely put a foot wrong in defence, where he frankly had too little to do.

Federico Valverde – 7.5

Federico Valverde put a well-rounded performance in midfield yet again and was one of the few Real Madrid players who stood out in the first period. His creativity seemed a bit off, however, and many of his passes were played short to his teammates, but were important nevertheless in unsettling the opponent.

Dani Ceballos – 8

Dani Ceballos stood out in midfield. His inclusion was made to help unlock a stubborn Atletico Madrid backline and he did so to good effect, particularly releasing Vinicius Junior a number of times down the team’s left flank. The Brazilian did not impress much, unfortunately.

Jude Bellingham – 7

A very good performance from Jude Bellingham from a defensive standpoint as he won 10 duels in the match. The Englishman, like several of his teammates, was not very effective in the final third and also fluffed his lines seconds from a close distance ahead of Real’s equalising goal.

Rodrygo Goes – 8.5

Rodrygo was perhaps the best Real Madrid attacker as he wreaked havoc down Atletico’s left, especially in the second half. He was all over Javi Galan with his runs in behind and superb dribbling, while even being responsible for setting up the team’s equaliser.

Kylian Mbappe – 7.5

Kylian Mbappe scored the equaliser for Real Madrid as he ensured they earned a vital point in the title race. The France captain made good movements off the ball and in spite of being tightly marked by two, at times three Atletico players, he got a few shots away only to be thwarted by Jan Oblak.

Vinicius Junior – 6.5

Vinicius Junior had a good moment in the second half down the left but was very disappointing in the match, especially given how he steps up in the big games. The Brazilian is enduring a poor run of form but the Whites will hope he sees the back of it soon.

Substitutes:

Luka Modric – 7

Luka Modric replaced a tired Dani Ceballos. In only 10 minutes, he attempted 12 passes, misplacing only one as Madrid tried to seek a winner late on.

Eduardo Camavinga – 6

Eduardo Camavinga ran up and down the midfield as he recovered the ball a couple of times to send the Whites higher up in attack. A good return from injury for Real Madrid’s utility man.

Brahim Diaz – N/A

Brahim Diaz played for 5 minutes including stoppage time, so there was not much to judge him on.