Real Madrid Fans Boo Gareth Bale

Real Madrid and Valencia played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu as Marcelino’s work in progress brought the heat to the champions.

Marco Asensio scored a wonderful solo goal and a late free kick to earn Madrid a point after Carlos Soler and Geoffrey Kondogbia had given the visitors a brief second-half lead.

8 — Zidane switched Asensio and Gareth Bale around to provide Dani Carvajal with more cover against the marauding Toni Lato and Jose Luis Gaya. Recognizing the need for a more solid defensive screen, he sacrificed Isco for Mateo Kovacic at half-time and deserved credit for rolling the dice by throwing on Borja Mayoral for Toni Kroos to chase a winner at 2-2. That is what the fans at Bernabeu want to see.

GK Keylor Navas, 7 — Perhaps should have stood his ground instead of moving towards the ball, which opened the angle for Soler’s opener. Navas didn’t have a save to make until the 72nd minute but what a save it was, clawing Dani Parejo’s free kick to safety. Quick in mind and feet off his line when required.

DF Dani Carvajal, 7 — Absolutely skinned by Gaya and Lato for Valencia’s first, the right-back endured a difficult night against quick and skillful opponents that doubled up on his flank. He could have used some more help but only Casemiro won more tackles.

DF Nacho, 6 — He was lucky officials did not see him drag Valencia defender Ruben Vezo to the turf in the penalty area and found his way into the book for a clumsy challenge on Simone Zaza. Solid in the air, Nacho was less nimble on the ground and the source of much of Valencia’s joy going forward.

DF Casemiro, 8 — As a stand-in central defender the Brazilian enjoyed a physical battle with Zaza and had the better of it. Put in a fantastic challenge to cut out a Soler cross with Rodrigo clean through the middle. Casemiro went in the book for a wild lunge on Soler but put in several vital, well-timed tackles — no player made more.

DF Marcelo, 7 — A little subdued in the first half, probably under Zidane’s orders, Marcelo did get forward occasionally and rasped a shot just over on the half hour. Livened up after the break as Real chased a winner and had a reasonable penalty shout denied in the 90th minute.

MF Toni Kroos, 6 — Kroos hit the first available Valencia head with several set-pieces and could have shut down Kondogbia but was overly wary of conceding a penalty. Rarely got forward from his deeper role and his radar was a little off when he did.

MF Luka Modric, 6 — Also suffered without Casemiro watching his back. Modric was energetic but did not win control of the midfield, rarely launched an attack from deep, and spent most of the evening chasing the ball around.

MF Isco, 6 — Showed willingness to drop back and lend a hand. Isco carved an opening with some delicious footwork towards the end of the first half but couldn’t get a shot away.

FW Marco Asensio, 9 — He doesn’t do tap-ins, does he? A wonderful solo goal, picking up a loose ball, driving at the defence and burying a left-foot shot past Neto and an equally sumptuous free kick to make it 2-2 capped another spectacular performance.

FW Gareth Bale, 5 — There were flashes from the Welshman — a cross that Benzema should have converted among them — but this was an uninspiring performance overall and it was little surprise when he was substituted, to a chorus of jeers. Form and fitness are both lacking at the moment.

FW Karim Benzema, 6 — On another night Benzema may have left with the match ball. Eight shots, but only two on target, both of which drew fine saves from Neto, summed up a frustrating evening. Benzema should have scored a sitter in the 88th minute but dragged his shot wide. However, he used intelligent movement to open up the defence for Asensio’s goal and was at the heart of all of Madrid’s attacks. It was just one of those nights.

MF Mateo Kovacic, 7 — On for Isco at half time, Kovacic won the free kick that led to the equaliser and covered a lot of ground after Zidane belatedly realized he should have started.

FW Lucas Vazquez, NR — On for Bale with 15 to play, the canterano was lively as always.

FW Borja Mayoral, NR — On for Kroos with a few minutes left, Mayoral had little time to make an impact.