The four best players during Real Madrid vs Juventus – and three that need more practice

Real Madrid continued their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 win over Italian champions, Juventus.

Despite the absence of Real Madrid’s record goalscorer and Juventus’ new, iconic signing, Cristiano Ronaldo, there was still plenty of quality on show in Maryland, USA.

Here are four of the best players on show in this International Champions Cup clash, as well as three players who could do with a few more minutes under their belts before the big kick off.

Gareth Bale – 8/10

(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

All the talk around Real Madrid is about who will fill Cristiano Ronaldo’s rather sizeable boots – and the first name that springs to mind is Gareth Bale.

This performance was by no means ‘vintage Bale’. However, the Welshman showed just what star quality he has with a wonderful 20-yard strike to equalise for Real in the 39th minute.

He looked to be growing into the game really well at that point and his threat was growing. Unfortunately for this fixture, he was subbed at half time but showed plenty of signs in his 45 minutes here that he means business this season

Medhi Benatia – 5/10

(Photo credit NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Medhi Benatia has been a steady presence at some top clubs around Europe during his career, as well as being known as one of the real nice guys of football in his native Morocco.

He didn’t fit that bill tonight though. An early booking for a cynical foul was a sign of things to come as the 31-year-old struggled to get up to the pace of the game.

He got caught in behind and flat footed a number of times before he was substitued in the 63rd minute. This by no means makes him a bad defender, but he needs to regain his form and fitness quickly before the start of the Serie A season.

Joao Cancelo – 8/10

(Photo credit NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

The Portuguese international, usually deployed at right wing-back, was switched to the left wing for this fixture – and he adapted to the role very well.

In a game where Juventus struggled to create, Cancelo was a great outlet for Juventus. His cross in the 12th minute led to the opening goal, Dani Carvajal the unlucky man to steer it into his own net, and his link up with full-back Alex Sandro always kept Madrid thinking.

If he can keep these kinds of performances up in the season to come, his compatriot, Ronaldo, may have plenty of meat to chew in the box this season.

Wojciech Szczesny – 4/10

The ex-Arsenal goalkeeper has a massive set of boots, and gloves, to fill after the departure of Gianluigi Buffon to PSG this summer.

And many Juventus fans will be left with real doubts over his ability to fill that particular void with this showing. He failed to command his box throughout the game, never really looking assured behind the Juventus defence.

His misery was compounded with Real Madrid’s third goal in the 56th minute as he made a complete hash of a Marco Asensio shot, allowing it to squirm under his body and into the net.

Pre-season friendly or not, don’t be surprised if Juve take a look at the market to see if they can find another goalkeeper.

Vinicius Junior – 8/10

(Photo credit PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)

The young Brazillian only joined Real Madrid last month and, with a €46m price tag on his head, there is a lot of pressure on his 18-year-old shoulders.

However, the former Flamengo attacker showed no sign of bowing to this pressure as he set up Marco Asensio for Real Madrid’s second goal just two minutes after coming on.

He could have had a goal of his own late into the second half as Real broke at Juventus with devastating pace but, as is often the case with young players, he over-thought what would have been a simple finish.

However, he never stopped terrorizing the Juventus defence and looks to be the real deal.

Isco – 5/10

(Photo credit LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

After 240 competitive outings for Real Madrid, as well as 32 caps for Spain, Isco is now renowned as one of the world’s best attacking midfielders.

Anybody watching tonight, however, would think he had just come along with Real Madrid after winning a fan contest to play a game.

His 45 minutes on the pitch were very quiet. Isco barely got involved in play and, when he did get the ball, he was often wasteful with it.

We know Isco is far better than this – better get back on that training pitch.

Marco Asensio – 9/10

(Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Replacing the lacklustre Isco at half-time, Marco Asensio immediately changed the pace of the game for Real Madrid.

Two goals within 11 minutes of coming on and a real creative outlet for Los Blancos throughout the second half, Asensio can be very happy with his performance here.

With the departure of Ronaldo, there will be real honus on attacking midfielders such as Asensio and Isco to step up and add more goals for Real, Asensio showed he is well up to the task here tonight.

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