Juventus gave Real Madrid an almighty scare in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, beating Los Blancos 3-1 in an enthralling encounter only to bow out of the competition by virtue of a 3-4 aggregate.

Real Madrid, courtesy of a late Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, held on by the skin of their teeth to secure their spot in the semi-finals, joining the likes of Liverpool, Roma and Bayern Munich in the last-four.

Advertisement

After Roma’s miraculous triumph against Barcelona on Tuesday, Juventus took the initiative to silence the Bernabeu with a quick fire brace from Mario Mandzukic before Blaise Matuidi made it 3-0 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate in the second-half.

Real, who have dominated this competition for the past few seasons, had luck on their side and a controversial spot-kick, which led to Gianluigi Buffon getting sent off, saw them scrape through.

Here are The Statesman’s player ratings from a tie that will undoubtedly go down as a classic:

Real Madrid

Keylor Navas

Usually the Costa Rican doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but this was probably his worst performance in a Real Madrid jersey.

Could have he have collected both crosses which led to Mario Mandzukic scoring? Arguably, yes.

And the less said about his clanger to gift Blaise Matudi a goal, the better.

Rating: 3/10

Marcelo

Saw his attacking instincts curbed by his compatriot—Douglas Costa. Never looked comfortable against the jet-heeled winger.

At fault for the opener as he allowed Sami Khedira time and space to swing in an inch-perfect cross.

Got himself booked as well.

Rating: 4/10

Jesus Vallejo

Playing in his first UEFA Champions League match, the 21-year-old did pretty well.

Wouldn’t be a stretch to say he was the best Madrid defender on the night.

Rating: 6/10

Raphael Varane

Without Sergio Ramos, the talented Frenchman looked lost for both of Mandzukic’s goals.

Perhaps should have cut out the cross for the third as well.

Rating: 5/10

Dani Carvajal

Mandzukic gave him a torrid time on the flank and easily bested him in the air.

Got cautioned for bringing down the Croatian one too many times.

Rating: 5/10

Luka Modric

For once, the game bypassed the Croatian, who struggled to keep up with the pace.

Got subbed off for countryman Kovacic as Zidane sought to inject some energy into the midfield.

Rating: 5/10

Casemiro

Another Real player to have a stinker, was rightly taken off by Zidane at half-time.

Rating: 4/10

Toni Kroos

Grew into the game and while he didn’t quite have the impact he would have wanted, did okay over the course of the 90 minutes.

Rating: 6/10

Isco

Caused Juve all sorts of problems with his bursts of pace and was unlucky not to have scored/assisted.

Rating: 7/10

Gareth Bale

Annonymous showing by the Welshman, save for one excellent long-ball to find Ronaldo.

Don’t miss: 5 talking points from Real Madrid vs Juventus

Hooked by Zidane at half-time and it seems the exit door is in sight for the club’s record signing.

Rating: 4/10

Cristiano Ronaldo

Not at his imperious best, struggled to beat Medhi Benatia in one-on-one situations but came up big when it mattered most.

Must be said, it was an excellent spot-kick.

Played his part in the build-up to the penalty as well.

Rating: 7/10

Substitutes

Lucas Vazquez

Went down a tad too easily for the penalty, but by no means was it a dive.

His introduction at half-time ultimately proved to be the game-changer.

Rating: 6/10

Marco Asensio

The  young winger tried, but didn’t quite have the impact his manager would have wanted him to.

Rating: 5/10

Mateo Kovacic

Came on for the final 15 minutes for Modric.

Didn’t see too much off the ball though.

Rating: 6/10

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon

Made a number of key stops to deny Real, but lost his head at the end.

A player of his experience should know better than to lose his rag at an officiating decision.

Could he have stopped the penalty?

We’ll never know, will we?

Rating: 5/10

Mattia De Sciglio

Taken off fairly early by Massimiliano Allegri.

Rating: N/A

Giorgio Chiellini

Made a number of key stops, as is expected of him, to almost preserve his side’s clean-sheet.

Rating: 6/10


Medhi Benatia

Did fairly alright, till the very end when he allowed Real to finish the tie in regulation time.

Stupid challenge to make anywhere on the field, let alone in the box.

One of many Juve players to go into the referee’s book.

Rating: 5/10

Alex Sandro

Outwitted by Ronaldo, got himself cautioned for his trouble.

Struggled all game long, truth be told.

Rating: 4/10

Miralem Pjanic

Without him, Juve seemed lost in the first leg and there was a marked improvement in the side’s display with him back in the XI.

Rating: 6/10

Blaise Matuidi

Typically hardworking display from the energetic Frenchman, who got rewarded for his efforts with a goal, albeit a fortuitous one.

Rating: 7/10

Sami Khedira

Ran his socks off and kept trying to make things happen for his side.

Assisted Mandzukic’s first with an excellent delivery.

Rating: 6/10

Douglas Costa

Never let Marcelo breathe and while he didn’t get an assist or a goal, did plenty to cause Madrid’s backline all sorts of problems.

Rating: 7/10

Gonzalo Higuain

Another big game, another anonymous showing from the Argentine.

Rating: 5/10

Mario Mandzukic

While he did fade considerably in the second-half, his first-half display galvanised the visitors.

Why he didn’t start the first leg will forever be mystery.

Rating: 8/10

Substitutes

Stephan Lichsteiner

Got cautioned fairly early after replacing De Sciglio, but recovered to have a solid game from then on.

Assisted Mandzukic’s second with a pin-point delivery.

Rating: 7/10

Wojciech Szczesny

Came on to save the penalty and while he did go the right way, was powerless to deny Ronaldo from scoring.

Rating: N/A