Roma 0-2 Real Madrid: Every player rated as European champions secure Group G top spot

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Real Madrid secured top spot of Champions League Group G with a 2-0 win over Roma.

Both sides went into the game knowing they were already through to the last-16 owing to Viktoria Plzen’s 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow.

And, after an exciting but goalless first half, Real took the lead just after the break through Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez doubled the advantage less than 15 minutes later.

That would be all she wrote, ensuring Real would finish above Roma, while also heaping pressure on Eusebio Di Francesco.

Here’s how the players rated from the thriller.

Roma

Robin Olsen – 6 – Got down well to save Modric’s shot with his feet midway through the first half, after it took a heavy deflection off Benzema.

Alessandro Florenzi- 8 – Was absolutely brilliant at right-back both in defence and attack. Gave Marcelo and Bale little success while combining well with Under to get at the Real back line.

Kostas Manolas – 7 – Had a really good first half, limiting Real Madrid to shots from outside the area. But was let down by his defensive partner and came under more pressure after half-time.

Federico Fazio – 6 – Like Manolas, looked strong in the opening half, dominating in the air and giving Madrid’s forwards no joy. But it was all undone just moments after half-time as he headed the ball to Bale for the opening goal.

Aleksandar Kolarov – 7 – As powerful as ever down Roma’s left, looking to test the Real Madrid line with his delivery from both open play and set pieces.

Steven Nzonzi – 6 – Did his job well in the first half, sitting just in front of the defence and behind his midfield partners when Real Madrid were on the ball. Taken off as part of an attacking substitution with Roma 2-0 down.

Bryan Cristante – 5 – Had a promising start to the match but petered out when Roma really needed someone to patrol the midfield.

Cengiz Under – 4 – Was a pain for Marcelo down the left wing, but his game will unfortunately be remembered for a shocking miss from five yards with the goal at his mercy following good wide play from Schick and Zaniolo. And, it seems he allowed that to get in his head with a poor second half.

Nicolo Zaniolo – 6 – Had a good first half and should have seen his determination pay off just before the break but for Under’s sensational miss. Was a bit stretched in the second half but can hold his head high.

Stephan El Shaarawy – 5 – Looked dangerous in attack at the start of the match and tracked back well too. But his game was unfortunately cut short after picking up an injury in the first half.

Patrik Schick – 5 – Had big boots to fill starting in place of Dzeko but gave a lot of effort against Madrid’s tough centre-back pairing. Could have given Roma the lead, getting onto the end of Kolarov’s cross but he did not get enough contact on the ball at the near post. Really tried but had no luck.

Substitutes:

Justin Kluivert (for El Shaarawy 22) – 6 – Took some time to get into the game but caused Carvajal some problems.

Ante Coric (for Nzonzi 64) – 5 – Brought on to try and pull Roma back into the match but had little impact.

Rick Karsdorp (for Zaniolo 69) – 5 – Did not do too much to help Roma’s cause after coming on.

Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois – 6 – Brilliantly denied Schick’s shot from close range after half an hour, when the striker looked certain to score. Was otherwise untested.

Dani Carvajal – 6 – Did not start too well defensively but was the man in the middle to vitally head Under’s cross away when El Shaarawy was racing in behind him. Kluivert caused him problems in the second half.

Raphael Varane – 8 – Made a brilliant clearance after half an hour to prevent an easy tap in for Schick following a corner. Remained strong throughout the rest of the match to keep the clean sheet.

Sergio Ramos – 8 – His usual self alongside Varane, Ramos looked like he barely broke into a sweat for most of the match. The big man for the big occasion.

Marcelo – 7 – As always, Marcelo looked to get forward a lot and did so – with increasing luck as the game went on. Left his team open for counter-attacks especially through Florenzi, but showed his defensive capabilities when required.

Toni Kroos – 6 – Was not too bad in the first half but with Roma defending well, could not provide the killer ball to his forwards.

Marcos Llorente – 8 – Looked really composed in midfield and dealt well with Roma’s tough press. Barely put a foot wrong and it helped his side get through a tough start to then take control.

Luka Modric – 6 – Tried to control the game close to the Roma area but his passes did not hurt the home side, instead pushing the ball into bad areas. His influence grew once Madrid took the lead and helped hurt Roma on the counter.

Lucas Vazquez – 5 – Was really poor in the first half and had very little impact in the second, but was in the right place at the right time to tap in and double Madrid’s lead.

Karim Benzema – 6 – Did okay in the first half, but managed just one shot without testing Olsen. Upped his game after half-time, and rose well to head into the path of Vazquez to give the Spaniard an easy finish. Substituted without a goal.

Gareth Bale – 7 – Had a quiet first half but only needed one chance after half-time, capitalising on a mistake from Fazio to put Real ahead. Should have scored again shortly after but his effort one-on-one with Olsen was poor.

Substitutes:

Mariano Diaz (for Benzema 77) – 5 – Gave Madrid some fresh legs late on but did not do too much with the win secure.

Federico Valverde (for Modric 80) – 5 – Brought on to give Modric a break, had little to do.

Marco Asensio (for Bale 84) – N/A – A late sub.

The post Roma 0-2 Real Madrid: Every player rated as European champions secure Group G top spot appeared first on Squawka News.



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