Real Madrid: Full Report Card for Every Position for November
Real Madrid continued their overwhelming dominance in the month of November, recording six consecutive victories to establish themselves at the top of La Liga and secure progression into the knockout phase of the Champions League.
A 4-0 thrashing of Granada kicked off the month for Carlo Ancelotti's men, who finished November with a 2-1 triumph over Malaga to capture a club-record 16th consecutive win in all competitions. Between were victories over Liverpool, Rayo Vallecano, Eibar and Basel.
Across the following slides, we examine the performances of each Real Madrid player at every position for the month.
Note: Players who didn't complete a total of 90 minutes in November won't be graded.
Goalkeepers
1 of 9
Iker Casillas
Grade: B
It continues to be a perplexing season for Iker Casillas in the Real Madrid goal.
At times, he's looked like the "San Iker" of old, flying for athletic saves with those characteristically sharp reflexes. But then he'll put in a clumsy performance as he did against Malaga, where he was uncertain with his hands on several occasions and generally slow to react.
That fluctuation in form—he was superb against Granada and Eibar—remains a small concern for Carlo Ancelotti, who despite his trust in the veteran Spaniard can't be certain of what he's going to get each week from Casillas.
Keylor Navas
Grade: B
It hasn't been the season many expected for Keylor Navas when he arrived at Real Madrid this summer.
After excelling for Levante and Costa Rica, it was anticipated that the 27-year-old would quickly establish himself as Ancelotti's first-choice goalkeeper. Instead, Navas has been forced to sit and watch for most of the season as Casillas has reclaimed the position he had previously been stripped of by Diego Lopez.
And like the Spaniard, Navas' performances have been mixed, undoubtedly affected by a paucity of playing time. Against Basel, the Costa Rican was superb when keeping out both Derlis Gonzalez and Breel Embolo, but his outing against Rayo Vallecano produced two notable errors that could have cost his team if Los Blancos weren't so prolific in attack.
Fernando Pacheco
Grade: N/A
Real Madrid's third goalkeeper has yet to play this season and therefore can't be graded for November.
Right-Backs
2 of 9
Daniel Carvajal
Grade: B+
Daniel Carvajal's month was interrupted by injury, as the talented right-back made just three appearances in November.
The Spaniard picked up the injury in the first half against Granada after an exceptional half-hour in which he played a leading role in Cristiano Ronaldo's opener. Upon return, Carvajal immediately enhanced Real Madrid's attacking punch against Eibar and assisted Ronaldo's goal just prior to half-time at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium.
A dasher from defence, the 22-year-old is quickly becoming one of the finest full-backs in Spain.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Grade: C+
While he's a solid backup to Carvajal defensively, Alvaro Arbeloa wasn't able to match the attacking threat provided by his compatriot when covering for Carvajal's absence during November.
A far more conservative full-back who lacks dynamism, the former Spain international was tidy at the back when starting in the victories over Liverpool and Basel. But his presence continues to underline Carvajal's two-way value, given that the 31-year-old can't stretch opposing teams with searching runs down the right sideline in the way his junior can.
Left-Backs
3 of 9
Marcelo
Grade: A
Marcelo entered the current season amid significant doubts concerning his value to Real Madrid. Not only was the Brazilian coming off a disappointing World Cup, but Real's business in the transfer window had seemingly heightened the need for a defensive full-back given the skewed nature of Carlo Ancelotti's squad.
While he's a potent attacking weapon, the wider view was that Marcelo would prove to be a defensive liability for Los Blancos in 2014-15.
But that hasn't been the case. Not at all.
Perhaps aided by Real's switch to a stronger 4-4-2 when defending (they attack in a 4-3-3), the left-back has been defensively sound while continuing to provide the attacking punch we've come to associate with his game.
His brilliant cross to find Karim Benzema against Liverpool stands as a perfect example, with his durability also proving impressive amid Fabio Coentrao's injury problems.
Fabio Coentrao
Grade: C+
Coentrao made his first appearance for Real Madrid in more than two months when he was used as a late substitute by Ancelotti against Eibar. Four days later he made just his third start of the season against Basel in the Champions League.
In Switzerland, the Portuguese was much like Alvaro Arbeloa: defensively sound but without attacking spark.
At present, Marcelo looks far superior.
Centre-Backs
4 of 9
Sergio Ramos
Grade: A
Sergio Ramos played all but 17 minutes of Real Madrid's six games in November as Carlo Ancelotti rotated around his No. 1 defender.
Leading a defence that conceded just two goals for the month, the Spaniard has been a commanding figure at the back for the European champions and appears to have largely eradicated the rash moments that plagued the opening weeks of his season (the clash with Basel was the only game in which Ramos made a notable error).
And aside from his defensive qualities, the 28-year-old has also been a genuine threat in attack, scoring against Rayo Vallecano and going close a number of times against Eibar.
Pepe
Grade: A
Is Pepe on track for his finest season at Real Madrid? Possibly.
Previously defined by his moments of madness, the Portuguese has been outstanding in 2014-15 alongside Ramos and has played a leading role in tightening Los Blancos' defence since that embarrassing collapse against Real Sociedad.
Now playing a conservative sweeping role on the last line for Real, the veteran showed a cool head throughout November and was excellent in plugging holes, cutting off attacks and clearing everything that came his way against Granada, Rayo Vallecano, Eibar and Malaga.
Raphael Varane
Grade: B+
It's a great indication of Real Madrid's depth that Raphael Varane, who's comfortably one of the finest defensive talents in Europe, continues to be a secondary option behind Sergio Ramos and Pepe at the Bernabeu.
So serene under pressure, the Frenchman impressed in both his starts in November against Liverpool and Basel, the second of which was an extremely composed showing on a rare off night for Ramos.
Nacho
Grade: B
Although his preferred position is in the centre of the defence, Nacho's only start in November came at right-back against Rayo Vallecano during Daniel Carvajal's absence.
Naturally, the Spaniard operated as a more traditional full-back in the position, maintaining his connection with the back four to put in a sound display.
Central/Holding Midfielders
5 of 9
Toni Kroos
Grade: A+
It's been remarkable how quickly Toni Kroos has been able to adapt his game to play the role vacated by Xabi Alonso this season.
A naturally aggressive playmaker, the German has transformed himself into a new-wave holding midfielder, combining an astute positional awareness with a silky passing range to make this Real Madrid team extremely attractive on the eye.
In November, the World Cup winner didn't put a foot wrong and managed to score his first goal for Los Blancos during the 5-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano.
Now Carlo Ancelotti needs to carefully manage his playing time.
Asier Illarramendi
Grade: N/A
Asier Illarramendi made just three substitute appearances in November totalling just 43 minutes and therefore can't be graded.
Sami Khedira
Grade: N/A
Plagued by injury and kept out of the XI by Kroos, Sami Khedira played only 14 minutes in November during the 4-0 victory over Granada.
Alvaro Medran
Grade: N/A
A late substitute appearance against Rayo Vallecano wasn't enough to earn a grade for November. But Ancelotti has confirmed Alvaro Medran will start against Cornella in Tuesday's Copa del Rey clash.
Attacking Midfielders
6 of 9
James Rodriguez
Grade: B+
November was a slightly slower month for James Rodriguez, who enjoyed a stellar October for Real.
After a two-goal performance against Granada (the first was spectacular; the second could have been judged as an own goal), the Colombian was quiet in the clashes with Liverpool, Rayo Vallecano, Basel and Malaga.
Impressively, the World Cup sensation continued to perform his defensive work diligently in November but did look a little laboured at times in attack.
Some rest, one feels, is needed.
Luka Modric
Grade: A
Prior to suffering a serious thigh injury during the international break, Luka Modric had been exceptional for Real Madrid in the opening weeks of November.
Operating ahead of Toni Kroos, the Croatian was the architect of countless attacks against Granada, Liverpool and Rayo Vallecano but now finds himself on the sidelines for several months.
Isco
Grade: B+
Had it not been for Modric's injury that forced Isco into a deeper position against Eibar, Basel and Malaga, the Spaniard would have been awarded an "A" for his outstanding attacking performances earlier in the month during Gareth Bale's absence.
But there's an adaption process that needs to occur for the 22-year-old in Modric's role, with his positioning and lack of defensive nous exposed on a couple of occasions against Eibar and Malaga, the second match of which saw him sent off after two challenges from behind.
Wingers
7 of 9
Cristiano Ronaldo
Grade: A+
Carlo Ancelotti has said on several occasions that he's running out of words to describe Cristiano Ronaldo. Frankly, the rest of us are too.
In November, the world's dominant player notched five goals and seven assists in his six appearances to lead Real Madrid to the top of La Liga and Group B in the Champions League.
What else is there to say?
Gareth Bale
Grade: B
As explained last week, much of the criticism aimed at Gareth Bale recently was a little misguided.
Indeed, the perception that's he's become a peripheral figure whose work rate and 90-minute involvement has dropped (based largely on statistical measures such as touches) fails to acknowledge how Bale's role has been impacted by the plethora of ball-retaining midfielders who now surround him.
Simply, the Welshman's task has changed; a midfield boasting the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Isco has meant that Bale no longer designs attacking moves but instead finishes them.
As such, two goals from four starts in November wasn't a bad return, even if it wasn't quite the sort of blistering form we've come to expect.
Jese
Grade: N/A
Although he's due to return in Tuesday's Copa del Rey clash with Cornella, Jese is yet to appear for Real Madrid this season and can't be given a grade for November.
Strikers
8 of 9
Karim Benzema
Grade: A+
Never before has Karim Benzema put together a stretch like this one. Until now, the Frenchman has been a polarising figure at Real Madrid, interspersing brilliance with moments that have forced you to simply shake your head.
But not anymore.
Now, the striker looks like the complete centre-forward package: He's dominating in the air, taking his chances in front of goal, playing in his wingers and consistently drawing the attention of both central defenders.
In November, Benzema recorded five goals and three assists in his six appearances, forcing many to ponder whether he's currently the most complete striker in Europe.
He's been a powerhouse.
Javier Hernandez
Grade: N/A
Due to the ongoing excellence of Benzema, Javier Hernandez saw just 10 minutes of playing time in November and can't be graded.
Manager
9 of 9
Carlo Ancelotti
Grade: A
With every win that is captured in this staggering run, there's a growing sense that no manager in Europe could match what Carlo Ancelotti is currently achieving at Real Madrid.
The Italian seems so suited to this group. His diplomacy, man management, public relations skills and ability to foster harmony are qualities are such a perfect fit for this incarnation of Real Madrid. Add to that his matchday composure and tactical nous, and you have a manager who could be on course to be the club's finest of the modern era.
Six wins from six in November tells you everything you need to know. Perhaps the only thing that needs to be addressed by Ancelotti is squad rotation in clashes with vastly inferior opponents.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
