Player Ratings: Numancia 0-2 Real Madrid

NUMANCIA

Juan Pablo 5.5 - Even though he conceded twice he didn't actually much to do, but maybe could have done better with the effort from Higuaín that he palmed to Raúl though.

Juanra 6 - Got forward on a few occasions and defended reasonably well too, not a bad performance from the left-back.

Boris 5.5 - Looked very strong in the air for most of the match but probably should have scored early on when he beat Diarra to a header from close range.

Ortega 5.5 - Did well for the first-half but then in the second he seemed to run out of steam a bit and drifted towards the ball too much.

Cisma 5.5 - Like most of the other defenders, he was good first-half, but then after the break, when Real Madrid went up a gear, he had a tougher time of it, and got beaten a few times. Did attack well though and put some good balls into the box.

Nagore 6 - Battled hard in the middle of the pitch and even though he didn't offer much going forward, his coach will be satisfied with his display.

Del Pino 6.5 - One of the better Numancia players on the night. Worked hard in the midfield, both at the back and offensively, and the only qualm would be that he didn't score his chance when it came, and rather hit the post with his header.

Barkero 6 - The creative talent for his side but he was never allowed to really get into the game much and only showed glimpses of his skill.

Gorka Brit 5.5 - Tried hard up front but wasn't clinical enough with the chance he had at the back-post and was taken off just after half-time.

Goiria 5 - Cut a lone figure in attack at times and due to the hard work at the back he did not get the ball much, and missed his golden chance it came by shooting at Casillas.

SUBS

Mario 5.5 - Only on for ten minutes but wasted a couple of balls.

Quero 6 - Played a delightful ball into the box that no-one could get on the end of, but aside from that he was quiet.

Aranda 6 - Didn't really change the game at all.

REAL MADRID

Casillas 6.5 - Hardly had anything to do all match but did make a good save to deny Goiria in the second-half.

Ramos 5 - Certainly not one of his better games at right-back as he got beaten on a few occasions and also committed some very silly and needless challenges. Also nearly gifted Numancia a goal with his poor header back to Casillas.

Pepe 7 - Yet again a very strong display at the back as he worked hard in the air and more importantly cut out the Numancia crosses by being in the right place.

Cannavaro 6.5 - His partnership with Pepe at the back is key for Real Madrid and tonight he was strong and closed down the Numancia forwards well.

Heinze 6 - Didn't too anything spectacular but he defended quite well and offered support when it was needed.

Lassana Diarra 6 - Has certainly impressed since joining Real Madrid but tonight he was not at his best, still didn't too much wrong in the middle of the park for most of the evening though.

Gago 4.5 - Committed a needless late tackle to get booked early on and can't really have any complaints about his second booking later on as it was a poor challenge. Not a game he will remember.

Sneijder 6 - Is not looking at his best in this team and perhaps that is because Ramos is insisting on playing him on the wing. Still didn't do a bad job but not as effective as he is as a central midfielder.

Robben 8 - Yet again the match winner for Real Madrid, as he started the move for the first goal by finding Higuaín and then scored a brilliant and decisive second. Ramos was right to take him off early because he is becoming so important for Real Madrid.

Raúl 6.5 - Difficult to rate the veteran striker because even though he equalled the record set by Alfredo di Stefano for most goals at the club with his tap-in, he did not do much else in the match, and was rarely involved for his side.

Higuaín 5.5 - Worked hard as always but he didnt create much and looked frustrated for much of the evening.

SUBS

Van Der Vaart 6 - Seemed intent on shooting on sight when he came on but didn't really test Juan Pablo at all.

Huntelaar 6 - Didn't get much time to change the game.

Javi García 6 - No time to add anything.

REFEREE

Delgado Ferreiro 6.5 - With a passionate crowd behind them the referee was always going to find it difficult tonight but Ferreiro handled the game well. Correct to send Gago off for his two bookings and overall he did a good job this evening.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com


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