Real Madrid 0-0 Cadiz: Player ratings as wasteful Real slump to draw

A wasteful Real Madrid slumped to a goalless draw against La Liga strugglers Cadiz on Sunday evening.

Real had six coronavirus-enforced absences to contend with ahead of the game with Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale, Andriy Lunin, Rodrygo, Luka Modric and Marcelo all forced to sit out.

They seemed to miss Modric's vision in midfield as they struggled to break down a stubborn Cadiz side, who threw themselves in front of everything to earn themselves a very impressive point.

Real enjoyed total domination in the first half, registering a whopping 82% possession, but clear-cut chances were at a premium.

Toni Kroos, Ferland Mendy and Federico Valverde all fired off promising long-range efforts, but none were able to find the breakthrough.

The closest Los Blancos went to scoring came when Karim Benzema's cutback caused led to a goalmouth scramble, but Cadiz just managed to divert it clear.

In the second half Real threatened with more regularity, with Eden Hazard flicking a header straight at Jeremias Ledesma from close range and Vinicius Junior having a fierce effort saved before the hour mark.

Real's wastefulness was nearly punished 15 minutes from time when Cadiz produced an incisive counter attack, but when the ball broke to Alvaro Negredo he could only drag it the wrong side of the post.

Buoyed by their home crowd, Carlo Ancelotti's side continued to press until the end with Benzema watching his free kick get parried away and Hazard having a penalty claim waved away.

Real could not find that all-important goal though, despite accumulating an xG value of 2.83 in total. The result moves them six points clear at the top of the table, but second-place Sevilla have a game in hand.

Here are your Real player ratings...

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - 6/10 - A spectator for the majority of the game.

Lucas Vazquez (RB) - 6/10 - Loose in possession in the first half, spoiling several promising attacks. Recovered well after the break.

Eder Militao (CB) - 7/10 - Spotless in possession and very rarely forced into any defending.

David Alaba (CB) - 7/10 - An extremely comfortable evening. Pushed forward more and more as things grew increasingly desperate.

Ferland Mendy (LB) - 6/10 - Pushed forward constantly and created overloads. A bit too trigger happy with his shots.

2. Midfielders

Federico Valverde (CM) - 5/10 - Brought in for Modric and struggled to replicate his influence. A bit too eager to shoot from range.

Casemiro (CM) - 6/10 - Picked up an early yellow which rules him out of the Athletic Club game on Wednesday. Kept Real ticking over.

Toni Kroos (CM) - 7/10 - Tried to break down the stubborn Cadiz with his precise switches of play. His long passing was exceptional all night. Finished with eight key passes. It's ridiculous he did not pick up an assist.

3. Forwards

Eden Hazard (RW) - 7/10 - A promising performance in a rare start. Produced some nice touches and involved in some intricate link-up play on the edge of the box.

Karim Benzema (ST) - 6/10 - Led the line with intensity and linked up well with Hazard on a few occasions. Did not get the rub of the green.

Vinicius Junior (LW) - 6/10 - Quiet early on but really threatened after the break. Cadiz's great defending prevented him scoring, though.

4. Substitutes

Luka Jovic (ST) - 6/10 - Involved in a few good moments after coming on.

Nacho (CB) - N/A

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