Real Madrid went down to their first defeat of the season on Saturday, losing 5-2 to city rivals Atletico Madrid. Here’s how their players fared at the RiyadhAir Metropolitano.
Player ratings
Thibaut Courtois – 6
Conceded four times, although he could do little about any of them. Also made a couple of important saves in the second half.
Dani Carvajal – 5
Not at his best, as Atleti found a fair portion of joy down Real Madrid’s right flank.
Eder Militao – 6.5
It’s telling that Real Madrid’s struggles intensified when Militao went off. Made a brilliant last man challenge on Alexander Sorloth inside the opening minutes, which led to the injury that forced him off at half time.
Dean Huijsen – 5
Struggled in his first Madrid derby, especially when Militao went off. Looked overawed at the occasion, and especially the atmosphere generated by the home supporters.
Alvaro Carreras – 5.5
His worst match as a Real Madrid player. Really struggled defensively, and did little going forward.
Aurelien Tchouameni – 6
Atleti’s midfield duo had the beating of him for much of the proceedings.
Federico Valverde – 5.5
Another one that struggled with Atleti’s intensity, especially in the second half. Conceded possession in the lead-up to the hosts’ fifth of the afternoon.
Arda Guler – 7
Real Madrid’s brightest spark in midfield, scored one and assisted another. However, he did give away the penalty that allowed Atleti to go 3-2 up.
Jude Bellingham – 6.5
Could not make the desired impact on his first start of the season.
Vinicius Junior – 6.5
Did brilliantly to set up Guler for Real Madrid’s second goal, but aside of that, he has largely ineffective.
Kylian Mbappe – 7
Scored a typical Mbappe goal to drag Real Madrid level in the first half, with what turned out to be his only shot of the match.
Substitutes
Raul Asencio – 5
His struggles since Xabi Alonso’s arrival continued. Julian Alvarez had the beating of him on several occasions, including in the incident that led to him being yellow-carded.
Eduardo Camavinga – 6.5
Encouraging cameo performance from the midfielder on his third appearance since returning from injury.
Franco Mastantuono – 6
Perhaps hard done by not to start, showed flashes when subbed on.
Rodrygo Goes – 6.5
Looked dangerous in attack, unlike many of his teammates.
Gonzalo Garcia – 6
Little time to make an impact.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Fimago1067002084-68d81cb7755dd355621187.jpg?w=75&resize=75,75&ssl=1 "Agony for Alonso as Real Madrid ‘suffer’ two fresh injuries")
