Champions League

[monks data]

Champions League | Group Stage

Sep 16, 2014 at 7.45pm UK

Real Madrid
5-1
Basel

Suchy (14' og.), Bale (30'), Ronaldo (31'), Rodriguez (37'), Benzema (79')

FT(HT: 4-1)

Gonzalez (38')

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 5-1 Basel

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 16 September 2014

strong>Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during Real Madrid's emphatic 5-1 victory over Basel in the Champions League this evening.

Real Madrid kicked off the defence of their Champions League crown in emphatic style with a 5-1 victory over Basel at the Bernabeu.

Marek Suchy's 14th-minute own goal gifted the home side a lead that they soon built on before the interval through Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.

Basel did manage to pull a goal back courtesy of Derlis Gonzalez's strike, but Karim Benzema regained Madrid's four-goal cushion 10 minutes from time to round off the scoring.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at who impressed during an entertaining 90 minutes.

REAL MADRID

Goal

Iker Casillas: The Spaniard has come under fire from his own supporters of late, but tonight he highlighted just why he is so highly regarded elsewhere. Had little to do in fairness, but produced one top-class save to deny Basel pulling back a second. (8/10)

Defence

Nacho: One of two changes to the Madrid starting lineup, filling in nicely at full-back and even bagging an assist. He celebrated the first goal like it was his own, but it was very much an own goal. (8/10)

Sergio Ramos: In terms of attacking play, Ramos remains one of the best centre-backs in the world. But yet again Real were sloppy at the back, even if the scoreline was far more comfortable than his own showing. (7/10)

Pepe: Like his central defensive teammate, Pepe looks to be struggling somewhat. Madrid have the joint-worst record in La Liga in terms of goals conceded, and on this basis it is easy to see why. (7/10)

Marcelo: Pretty much fielded as a winger along with Nacho, Marcelo is brilliant at getting forward but often caught out at the back. (7/10)

Midfield

Toni Kroos: Plays the defensive midfield role as well as anybody on the planet right now. It was always going to be a big ask to replace Xabi Alonso, but he is more than capable of doing so. (8/10)

Luka Modric: Fantastic performance from the Croatia international, who well and truly pulls the strings for his side. Assist for Bale's goal one of the finest you will see this season. (9/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo: Another goal for the Portuguese which takes his tally up to 53 in 52 appearances in the Champions League. Truly incredible. (8/10)

James Rodriguez: Managed to get his name on the scoresheet, and was a nuisance throughout. Still more to come from the World Cup star, however. (8/10)

Gareth Bale: Used his strength and pace to set up Ronaldo's goal, and also linked up with former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Modric to add a goal of his own. Solid display from the Welshman. (8/10)

Attack

Karim Benzema: Rounded off the scoring for Los Blancos, and the way he struck the ball emphasised just how much he wanted to get off the mark in Europe this season. Standing ovation will do him a world of good. (8/10)

Substitutes

Raphael Varane: Almost cost his side within a minute of coming onto the field, but stayed solid after that to show just why he is so highly rated. (7/10)

Javier Hernandez: Had little to feed off in his eight minutes on the field. May be restricted to substitute appearances this season. (6/10)

Asier Illarrmendi: Madrid took their foot off the gas somewhat in the final 30 minutes or so, meaning Illarrmendi had little impact on the game. (6/10)

BASEL

Goal

Tomas Vaclik: May have conceded five goals, but the Czech stopper managed to pull off a few decent saves. Should not feel too disheartened. (7/10)

Defence

Walter Samuel: Not the Bernabeu return that Samuel was hoping for having been torn apart, booked and then replaced in the space of a little over an hour. (5/10)

Fabian Schar: Came within the width of the post to pulling a second goal back for Basel, but that cannot cover up the poor defensive showing from his side. (6/10)

Marek Suchy: Unfortunate to score an own goal, which pretty much summed up his game. (6/10)

Behrang Safari: Had a quiet match which was not helped by Ronaldo and Bale charging down both flanks before cutting inside. (6/10)

Midfield

Luca Zuffi: Managed to get one shot of note in on goal, but was pretty restricted otherwise in a sombre evening for the Swiss champions. (7/10)

Fabian Frei: Not the midfielder's finest hour, but he will need to be on top of his game against Liverpool in two weeks' time in what will be a crunch group-stage meeting. (6/10)

Mohamed Elneny: Got more and more frustrated as the game wore on, and was justifiably booked for constant shirt tugging in the early stages of the second half. (6/10)

Taulant Xhaka: Restricted in what he could do, much like the rest of his teammates, which led to a difficult 90 minutes. (7/10)

Attack

Derlis Gonzalez: Good movement, and he took his goal brilliantly. Basel's best player on the night and will be key to their hopes of progressing. (8/10)

Marco Streller: Much like his strike partner, Streller showed some good movement and almost capitalised on some poor defending on a couple of occasions. (7/10)

Substitutes

Matias Delgado: There was not a lot he could do during his seven minutes on the field. (6/10)

Yoichiro Kakitano: Credit to Paulo Sousa for replacing a defender with a forward, but it did not fully work with Basel conceding another goal without response. (6/10)

Breel Embolo: Forced Pepe into making a rash challenge late on, but did not test Casillas. (6/10)