Apr
26
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez brought a memorable week to a close with a brace that helped Real Madrid to a hard-fought 4-2 victory in an entertaining game against Celta Vigo in Galicia.
The Mexican, who scored the winner in the midweek Champions League triumph against Atletico Madrid, took his tally to six goals in just three starts in La Liga and three goals in five days with two neat and timely goals in Balaidos as Madrid kept their title aspirations alive following Barcelona’s derby win over Espanyol on Saturday.
Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez also got on the score sheet on a tricky night for Carlo Ancelotti’s men that saw Nolito fire the hosts ahead and Santi Mina level matters in a first-half in which neither side took their foot off the gas.
Madrid fell to a 2-0 defeat in Vigo that closed the door on their title hopes last season but they did not make the same mistake again, despite Celta’s best attacking efforts.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Iker Casillas, 6 — Madrid’s captain did not show the quickest reactions to Celta’s opening goal but he was not helped by some questionable defending in front of him. Despite Celta’s relentless attacking, the Galicians did not force Madrid’s goalkeeper into too many saves.
DF Dani Carvajal, 5 — Madrid’s full-backs had a torrid time all evening and Carvajal had an especially tough night against fellow Spain international Nolito, who weaved past him for Celta’s opener and continued to wrong-foot the right-back throughout the match. Carvajal will have to show a marked improvement if he is to start ahead of the incoming Danilo next season.
DF Sergio Ramos, 8 — Ramos carried out his midfield role successfully against Atletico in midweek but returned to defensive duties for the trip to Galicia. His part in the host’s first goal aside, the centre-back provided a convincing performance at the back and led by example against a tricky Celta attack. His assist for Chicharito’s second goal was sublime, producing a defence-splitting pass with the outside of his boot to help seal the points for his side.
DF Raphael Varane, 7 — Preferred to Pepe as Ramos’ partner, the Frenchman produced some big early blocks to temper Celta’s fast start and was crisp in his passing from the back. His block to deny Joaquin Larrivey just before the break was especially crucial in helping Madrid take their slender advantage into the interval. The youngster justified his inclusion ahead of Pepe.
DF Marcelo, 6 — Fresh-legged after serving a European suspension for the midweek victory over Atletico, Marcelo should have been in top form to face the pace and intensity of Celta but, like Carvajal on the other flank, he struggled throughout. The Brazilian let Santi Mina in for Celta’s second goal and was not allowed to get involved in the Madrid attacks.
MF Asier Illarramendi, 5 — With Ramos back in the heart of the Madrid defence, Ancelotti placed some rare faith in the former Real Sociedad man in Madrid’s midfield three, but Illarramendi did not produce the goods. The Basque midfielder offered little protection for Madrid’s back four and looked overwhelmed against the pace and power of the Galicians. Luka Modric was a big miss in the middle and Illarramendi is sub-standard in comparison.
MF Toni Kroos, 7 — The German’s last goal before this match came at Balaidos in Germany’s victory at Spain, and he netted again in Vigo to draw Madrid level with a calm finish for his second Liga goal of the season. The midfielder was under pressure throughout from an intense Celta side but held firm in the middle with some good passes to relieve the pressure and timely interceptions.
MF Isco, 7 — Madrid’s midfield magician complained of his unhappiness at being dropped following the return of James Rodriguez from injury, but the Spain international made his 23rd start of the campaign and his 100th appearance for Madrid. It was not vintage Isco but he showed some nice touches and played a key part in James’ goal. He could, and perhaps should, have got on the score sheet himself but took too much time on the ball when he was one-on-one with Celta keeper Sergio.
FW James Rodriguez, 8 — The Colombian was the glue that held Madrid’s attack together, scoring one, assisting another and providing a key pass for Kroos’ strike to level things up early on. Rodriguez’s goal may have been deflected, but it was just rewards for another star performance from the former Monaco man, while his link-up play for Chicharito’s first goal was sublime. His play was intense, matching that of Celta, and also tracked back when he needed to on a tough night for Madrid defensively.
FW Javier Hernandez, 8 — This week can go down as Chicharito’s after the Mexican added to his midweek match-winner against Atletico in the Champions League with a brace at Balaidos. His first was a great low finish after a well-constructed one-two with Rodriguez and his second was a brilliant take down from a superb Sergio Ramos pass to all but seal his side’s win. His other brace also came in Galicia as a substitute in Madrid’s 8-2 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna. He now has four goals and one assist in his last four matches and has shown that his coach should have had more faith in him earlier in the season.
FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 7 — Ronaldo did not get on the score sheet but he did take his number of assists this season to 15 in La Liga when he played in James for his goal. The Portuguese attacker looked comfortable playing alongside Hernandez in a front two and he also created the goal for Kroos when he burst down the right and cut the ball back from the byline.
Substitutes
DF Pepe, 6 — It was a compliment to Celta’s performance that Ancelotti brought the Portuguese defender on for Chicharito in the second half after Madrid built their two-goal cushion. He went in to help Ramos and Varane shore things up at the back and see Madrid to victory.
MF Jese, N/A — Replaced Isco with eight minutes of normal time to play but could not add his attacking influence to a game Madrid were seeing out defensively.
DF Alvaro Arbeloa, N/A — The Spaniard became Madrid’s sixth defender out on the pitch when he replaced James Rodriguez with five minutes to spare.
Nicholas Rigg writes about Real Madrid for ESPN FC and blogs about La Liga for The Independent. You can follow him on Twitter @nicholasrigg.
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