Real Madrid solved a soulless cold night in Valdebebas with the invaluable help of a Raúl García whose cables were stripped to form a short circuit and a new right hand from Kroos, which had a clearing effect. All in all, Benzema had to appear again with a saving header, which dispelled the ghosts of a match that got tangled up in Madrid …
This was the performance of each of the footballers used by Zidane against Athletic …
COURTOIS
He rejected Yeray's point-blank shot but couldn't do anything with Capa's second effort. It was practically the only time they looked for him until he had to intervene in 92 'in a shot by Vesga, only that it could cost Madrid the draw. Amazing. He made a stop that is required of Madrid goalkeepers: save his team even though it is cold. The Belgian regains his good feelings and scores points again.
CARVAJAL
He could not be as successful against this rojiblanco rival as he was last weekend in the derby. Good in the physical section, but less intense and successful than usual. He was able to commit a penalty to Iñaki Williams in an action much protested by Athletic. He gave the assist to Benzema at 2-1.
VARANE
Together with Ramos he left little waste of Iñaki Williams. When he is next to the captain he is taller. He had to put a saving foot in a Bilbao shot in the 85th minute that could have been perfectly the tie.
BOUQUETS
An intense duel with Raúl García was expected, a classic pulse of our football, but the Navarrese attacker put out any flame when he decided to expel himself. His best action was indirect, at 2-1, when he dragged three defenders so Benzema could be freer and beat Unai Simón.
MENDY
Very little successful in the middle of the rojiblanco field, better in the madridista, who in the background is always his endorsement. He blocked De Marcos quite well and he hardly received constant help from Vinicius.
MODRIC
The little Croatian genius was delayed to make five and in the work of ball exit he alternated with Kroos. He continues without resting and playing everything, showing his face with the energy of a Youth. It is more than essential and more with Isco lost and Odegaard injured.
KROOS
He maintains his current love affair with the ball. First, he 'caused' the second yellow for Raúl García and then a clear goal was taken out of nowhere. A shot from the front that combined toughness and placement, all in one. It is very fine.
VALVERDE
He had the opportunity for the suspension of Casemiro but did not do, curiously, the role of the Brazilian. Zidane decided to employ him ahead of Modric and Kroos. His was the first big occasion, in the 22nd. His hitting with looking for the long stick did not finish making the right parable. He returned to enjoy another even clearer at the edge of the break, but he did not hit despite being in the small area and alone. He could not spread his wings and play with meters because he found a rival that congested his area. He also paid for the effort of his first start in a month and a half and was replaced.
LUCAS VÁZQUEZ
He repeated ownership of winger ahead of Carvajal as he did in 2-0 at Atleti. He received a yellow in the first foul he made and that may have conditioned him.
BENZEMA
The Frenchman was very skilled at his own, annoying with his mobility and quality, but only had a couple of clear shots. A day more artistic than effective until he brought his head up. His 2-1 rescued Madrid and it is his third target with the head in his last three games. More Santillana than ever. He increased his account in the discount against a rival already sold. It's sweet.
VINICIUS
He is lost. The League was being his refuge while Rodrygo shone more in the Champions League but he is also losing steam in the domestic championship. In fact, the fans suspended him in the derby. Very erratic in the shots, his worst version, and not very expensive, which is what is really worrying about him. Maybe he was too passive with Capa on the 1-1 play …
ASENSIO
It was the replacement for Vinicius in the 64th minute and he was placed on the left wing, with a natural leg, with the idea of scoring centers for Benzema.
ISCO
He entered through a faded Valverde but still does not seem on the same page as the rest. What's more, he missed 3-1 in the 88th minute … because he finished off a terrific ball into the air. A disaster.
RODRYGO
It was stinging in the few minutes he had, in a game so broken that he was ideal for his speed.