Courteous: What Benzema generates with his goals, the Belgian turns into gold with his interventions. He made a great save to Reece James in the execution of the direct free kick that cost Militao a yellow card and at the beginning of the second half he took a providential hand from Azpilicueta. He responded to the boos of his ex-hobby as best he knows how.
Carvajal: The one from Leganés has returned. Perhaps the best game of the season for the winger, who got away with Azpilicueta and Havertz, although they caught his back in Chelsea’s goal. He closed the debate on his substitution in Vigo: Ancelotti reserved him to have him in optimal conditions in London. Valverde’s coverage allowed him to project in attack without compromising his band.
Soldier: Protagonist for better and for worse. He started out nervous in defence, but the Whites’ first shot was his and he almost scored against Ramos in Lisbon from a Kroos corner kick half an hour into the game. The yellow card that he saw at 14 ‘for a foul on Pulisic will deprive him of playing the second leg, although he had to retire due to injury at 64’ replaced by Nacho.
Daughter: He was insecure at times, but ended up taking the measure of Havertz.
Mendy: Correct on the French side, who in a couple of actions aroused the applause of the two thousand Madridistas.
Modric: He provided the 0-2 assist for Benzema.
Casemiro: The reinforcement in midfield freed him from tasks in midfield and brought out the best in him. He was on the lookout for a central position when Militao and Alaba came up and ended up forming a line of five in defense when Chelsea pressed in the final minutes.
Kroos: The German had the oxygen tank ready every time his team needed air in their game. Good game also in defensive tasks. He gets in tune after his injury.
Valverde: Neither 4-3-3 nor 4-4-2. The tactical discipline displayed by the Uruguayan transcends drawing. From a position very close to the band, he gave Carvajal cover, he got into the central lane when Benzema fell to the flank, he covered any gap in the center of the field… Betting on Valverde is not taking any risks.
Benzema: The ‘killer’ of the Champions. Second consecutive hat-trick (six goals concentrated in 75 minutes of play) in the showcase where the Golden Balls are deserved. In the first goal he put together a wonderful play with Vinicius, who later assisted him for his shot. The second, with a header assisted by Modric from the other band and the third, a new demonstration of his intelligence. 36 goals already this season. The third was made by him.
Vinicius: Of more less. He had in his boots the opportunity to open the scoring with a shot that exploded off the crossbar in the 64th minute. He assumed the role that Benzema played with Cristiano in the construction of the 0-1. He threw a wall at the Frenchman and then put in a precise assist.
Champions League
*Data updated as of April 6, 2022
Nacho: He came on for Militao in 64′. A guarantee against any contingency. Yesterday he had to shoot half an hour for the second leg, which he will have to play from the start due to the absence of the Brazilian. He had a couple of good starts in attack.
Camavinga: He came on for Kroos in the 73rd minute to give the German a break.
Ceballos: He came on for Valverde in 86′. He sacrificed the little time he was on the field.
Bale: He came on in minute 86 for Benzema to receive applause from the Whites’ fans. He played ‘9’ the few minutes he had.