Real Madrid were hammered 3-0 by French champions PSG in their Group A encounter of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League at Parc des Princes.
PSG started the game on the front foot and just fourteen minutes in, former Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria put the hosts ahead, getting on the end of a Juan Bernat cross and poking the ball past Thibaut Courtois. Moments later Eden Hazard came close to equalising for Los Blancos, but his effort fizzed just wide off the mark.
Di Maria made it 2-0 for PSG just after the half-hour mark driving home a powerful, dipping effort after being found by Idrissa Gueye. Gareth Bale seemed to have pulled one back for Real Madrid with an equally wonderful finish moments later, but the goal was chalked off by VAR as the Welshman had controlled the ball with his arm before firing his shot.
PSG continued to dominate after the break, but failed to add to their lead, with Di Maria and Pablo Sarabia missing promising chances. Real Madrid seemed to have breached the PSG defence against the run of play in the 77th minute, but Karim Benzema’s goal was ruled out for offside. The Frenchman had another great chance to make it 2-1 soon after, but headed wide.
? FT: @PSG_English 3-0 @RealMadrid
⚽ Di María 14′, 33′, Meunier 90’+1′#RMUCL | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/w0SkNhdp3d— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) September 18, 2019
Thomas Meunier added the third goal for PSG in stoppage time to heap further misery on Zinedine Zidane’s side. It was another disappointing performance from Real Madrid and here’s how we rated the performance of Zidane’s men on Wednesday night.
Thibaut Courtois: 5/10
The Belgian endured another poor outing in the Real Madrid goal. Courtois let in Di Maria’s goal at his near post and was slow to react to the second one as well, before leaving the goal open for the third, having charged out and failed to stop Bernat.
Did stop a couple of dangerous crosses, but Courtois hardly looked convincing throughout the game. All this while former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas stood and watched comfortably at the other end.
Dani Carvajal: 4/10
The Real Madrid right-back endured a torrid night as he struggled to cope against the threat of Di Maria and the overlapping Bernat, who enjoyed a lot of joy on his flank. Was guilty of allowing the PSG left-back to cross for the opener and struggled to keep a lid on the opponents as they kept pumping in dangerous crosses from his side. Booked for bringing down Mauro Icardi.
Raphael Varane: 4.5/10
The Frenchman was missing the guidance of captain Sergio Ramos alongside him and it was clearly evident all throughout the game. Was easily beaten in the lead-up to the opening goal, while he was guilty of playing Meunier on side for PSG’s third. Did not look comfortable and failed to take up the leadership mantle in his captain’s absence.
Eder Militao: 4/10
Starting his first game for Real Madrid, the summer arrival had a forgettable full debut. Allowed Di Maria to ghost past way too easily for the first goal and should have gotten tighter to the former Real Madrid star in the lead-up to the second goal. Was caught out of position regularly and there was a clear lack of understanding between him and Varane, which left the visitors exposed severely.
Ferland Mendy: 5/10
The summer signing worked hard all game long, as he ran up and down the left flank. But, Mendy couldn’t make any vital contribution on either sides of the pitch. Did make one or two important challenges, but was largely vulnerable at the back, while his attacking game left a lot to be desired as well.
James Rodriguez: 5.5/10
Started the game well and looked bright, setting Bale on his way with a beautiful through ball, before shooting over the bar from a decent position after a lovely exchange with Benzema, although there were some misplaced passes. However, he lacked the consistency and faded as the game wore on, before being subbed off in the 70th minute.
Casemiro: 4/10
The Brazilian, more often than not, looked like a deer caught in headlights against the combination of Idrissa Gueye and Marco Verratti, who constantly broke forward from the middle. Outnumbered and outclassed, Casemiro lacked the energy to cope against waves of PSG attacks.
Toni Kroos: 4/10
It was a tough outing for the German international who was completely taken out of the game by Marquinhos, who was deployed as a defensive midfielder on the night by Thomas Tuchel. His passing was not always accurate, while he offered very little protection to his defence when not in possession. Lost the ball to Meunier, leading to the hosts’ third goal.
Gareth Bale: 6/10
The only Real Madrid player who looked like a real threat for the PSG defence on the night, Bale seemed to have brought Los Blancos back into the game with a sensational volley only to see it get ruled by VAR for handball. Had a couple more shots at goal, but faded in the second half. Subbed off for Vinicius Junior late on.
Karim Benzema: 5.5/10
The Real Madrid captain on the night was starved of service for almost the entirety of the game. Had a couple of good moments in the first period when his sharp link-up play helped create chances for James and Hazard. Improved when the formation changed for the final 20 minutes and had a goal ruled out for offside before he headed wide from the best chance he’d got all night.
Eden Hazard: 4.5/10
Apart from a well-struck effort that drifted just wide of the post in the first period, Real Madrid’s marquee signing of the summer struggled to make any sort of impact on the game. Did not look completely match-fit and was slow on occasions. Well below his best. Taken off for Lucas Vazquez.
Substitutes
Lucas Vazquez: 4/10
Came on for Hazard in the 70th minute. Was in an offside position which led to Benzema’s goal getting ruled out. Did little of note.
Luka Jovic: 4/10
Came on for James Rodriguez with twenty minutes on the clock. Hardly got a touch of the ball. No impact whatsoever.
Vinicius Junior: N/A
Replaced Bale for the final ten minutes. Got involved in a bit of a scuffle with Di Maria after fouling Bernat and was rightly booked.
