APOEL vs. Real Madrid: Rating Madrid's Players in Champions League Quarterfinal

Despite the vast gulf in income, quality and history of both teams, APOEL vs. Real Madrid never really had a six or seven-nil thrashing written over it.

APOEL's performance thus far in the Champions League has added to a number of unlikely success stories in European football this season, but picking up victories against heavyweights such as Lyon and Porto earlier on would have done little to prepare them for what Real Madrid are capable of on their best day.

Perhaps it was the thought that Madrid would run out winners in this tie that led to such a lacklustre approach in Tuesday's 3-0 loss. APOEL never really looked to move through the gears in the game, rather waiting for a patient build-up and only on rare occasions imposing their lightning-quick attacking game that we're used to.

There was, of course, little to no threat of conceding in the tie, even after disappointing moments against CSKA in the previous tie with Moscow's late equaliser and a number of cheaply conceded goals in the league in recent times.

Where the side have struggled to score in recent games against Villarreal and Malaga, there was certainly reason to suspect Jose Mourinho would start with two strikers. But the selection maybe didn't suggest a typical Madrid game as, even with both Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema starting, there seemed to be an imbalance. Xabi Alonso was missed, as was Marcelo's attacking ability.

In this instance do you give credit to APOEL for shutting out Madrid for so long, or do you simply look to the lack of spark from the Madrid players?

Even a boring draw wouldn't have been devastating over the course of the two legs, as Madrid are almost certain to add a number of goals in the Bernabeu next Wednesday. But maybe the goals that eventually came were enough to keep the team's spirits high ahead of a difficult trip to Pamplona on the weekend.

But how did the players rate on the night?

Iker Casillas - 6

Iker Casillas was a spectator for the majority of the match. The opening moments of the match did see the Real Madrid keeper retrieve a floated ball into the area, only to draw a foul from one of the APOEL forwards. His only other involvement of note came much, much later in the second half where he plucked a hopeful cross out of the air.

Fabio Coentrao - 6

In a game where Real Madrid were going to see significantly more of the ball and where an extra man on the attack in the form of Marcelo would have been a far better choice, Fabio Coentrao failed to have a similar impact as the Brazilian on the left wing.

His enthusiasm to go forward was noticeable, as early on he hit a shot just past the post, but had Coentrao been replaced much earlier, Madrid might not have had to wait till the 75th minute for their first goal. With very little do to in defence, he had a decent game overall.

Pepe - 6

Again, Pepe was another member of the back line who had very little to do. On the occasions that APOEL did advance toward Iker Casillas' goal—and they were very few—Pepe was able to remain in control of the situation. He kept the ball well when in possession and helped the high line in keeping the play in the opposition half.

Sergio Ramos - 6

Other than one or two occasions where Sergio Ramos lost his concentration, there was little he did wrong at the back.

Losing possession on the halfway line and giving away a needless foul on the edge of the box might have been punished by a stronger opposition, but at the other end Ramos came close to adding to the scoreline, with a back-heel flick failing to properly connect.

Alvaro Arbela - 5

Much like Fabi Coentrao, Alvaro Arbeloa did very little wrong when in defence. He cleaned up well and kept things tidy. His contributions going forward again might have been better, as his final ball failed to complement his enthusiasm to get forward.

Sami Khedira - 6

This was by no means one of Sami Khedira's better games, but at the same time, it was not a terrible showing either. He broke up play, sat deeper to allow his midfield partner to get forward, and was largely untroubled.

Nuri Sahin - 7

Nuri Sahin's inclusion might have been a surprise, as many would have predicted Esteban Granero getting the nod ahead of the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder. But where Sahin did not perform like he did during his years in Germany, he did show a number of glimpses of his quality.

The lack of playing time in Madrid was sure to have an effect on his overall game, but he carved open a number of scoring opportunities for Ronaldo and Karim Benzema—notably Benzema's miss in front of goal.

Sahin gave a good performance for most of the first half but faded a little in the second. More game time is sure to see an enhancement of the quality he displayed during parts of the game.

Mesut Ozil - 7

An excellent assist for Karim Benzema's second goal of the game was a good way to cap off a solid performance from the German international. He looked lively in the final third, forcing an early save from the APOEL goalkeeper from a volley and setting up Ronaldo which the Portuguese sent wide.

It was not necessarily a spectacular performance, but one which did show his creative ability, especially in the absence of Xabi Alonso.

Karim Benzema - 7

Karim Benzema might have felt like this was one of those games which he'd fail to find the net off a number of good opportunities. The close-range miss in the first half did not have any great lingering effect on the player, however, as he continued to chase down the ball, get himself in good positions, and make good use of the positive impact of the substitutions.

Two goals in the last 15 minutes more than makes up for the surprise miss.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 6

Cristiano Ronaldo didn't have one of his best games, as he cut a largely frustrated figure for most of the game. Nothing was coming to fruition for him as a number of scoring opportunities went wide. He also received little protection from the referee in a number of instances when he should have drawn a foul and a yellow card. Generally a disappointing game by his high standards.

Gonzalo Higuain - 5

Gonzalo Higuian's involvement was not a huge surprise due to the lack of options in midfield. Often rotating with Benzema, he had much less of an impact than the Frenchman. Taken off midway through the second half because of a knock picked up from a raised boot, Higuain's replacement was a far greater asset on the night.

Marcelo - 7

For the short time Marcelo was on the pitch, he was excellent in attack. He could have drawn a foul in the penalty area but instead chose to assist Kaka and showed much more in the final third than Fabio Coentrao.

He was certainly a player that should have started in the left-back position, as there was very little threat from the opposition for the entire game. Marcelo's inclusion from the start might also have brought out the best in Ronaldo.

Kaka - 8

Another outstanding performance from the Brazilian. A goal and an assist in the final 15 minutes certainly raised the question of whether he should have started in place of one of the strikers. Displaying a calmness and that extra bit of quality that was maybe lacking around the penalty area, Kaka and Marcelo's introduction brought an almost certainty that there would be goals from Madrid.

Esteban Granero - 5

Esteban Granero was introduced with less than 10 minutes to go and replaced Nuri Sahin. He had very little time to make a noticeable contribution but slotted in comfortably and retained possession well.