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Real Madrid player ratings vs Espanyol: Benzema runs riot

By Atharva Khadilkar

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 27: Karim Benzema celebrates his goal with his teammates during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on January 27, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Sanchez Martinez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 27: Karim Benzema celebrates his goal with his teammates during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on January 27, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Sanchez Martinez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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27th January 2019, Cornella-El Prat, Cornella de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; La Liga football, Espanyol versus Real Madrid; Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates as he scores the goal for 1-4 in the 67th minute (photo by Eric Alonso/Action Plus via Getty Images)
27th January 2019, Cornella-El Prat, Cornella de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; La Liga football, Espanyol versus Real Madrid; Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates as he scores the goal for 1-4 in the 67th minute (photo by Eric Alonso/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

Defender- Nacho Fernandez- 7/10

Nacho came in to replace Sergio Ramos at half-time. The central defender is always there to cover whenever there are injuries or suspensions, and he was duly present in Barcelona too. Nacho played well and did Ramos’ defensive job of keeping Sergio Garcia uninvolved during the match. Nacho will definitely play the next two matches, one in the cup and the next against Alaves for which Varane is suspended.

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Defender- Marcelo- 6/10

Marcelo had a decent evening, but he may not even have played were it not for the injury to Ramos and a red card to Varane. The Brazil international usually stars when playing in a left back’s role, but this time out he was more central. Marcelo kept Rosales onside for Espanyol’s second, but he made some decent tackles to rectify his error.

Forward- Gareth Bale- 7/10

Gareth Bale played nearly half an hour to mark his return from injury. It took the Wales international little time to make his mark as he rounded off two Espanyol defenders to finish beautifully. That was the only highlight of his game, but he will hope to stay fit until the end of the season at least from now on.

Manager- Santiago Solari- 7.5/10

Santiago Solari guided Real Madrid to three more points and did it well, especially after dealing with the casualty to Ramos and sending off of Varane. Isco and Ceballos looked poised to get minutes as well, but the issues at the back led to them being entirely left out. The pair would be hoping to start against Girona on Thursday now.

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