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Real Madrid player ratings vs. Real Sociedad: Arda Guler saves the day! Dazzling youngster bails out poor Blancos as league leaders inch closer to title

The "Turkish Messi" provided a crucial moment as Carlo Ancelotti's side picked up three valuable points.

From Vinicius Jr to Eduardo Camavinga Real Madrid have an embarrassment of youth talent at their disposal. And on Friday night, another, newer face entered the fold - and made his mark. Arda Guler, making his first La Liga start for the club, scored the only goal of the game to hand his side a 1-0 win and inch closer to regaining the title.

Los Blancos pieced together a largely unspectacular performance. Reserve goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was called into action on a handful of occasions in the first half, while the Madrid attack toiled. Guler provided the crucial moment, though, sneaking in at the far post to meet Dani Carvajal's cross and give his side a 1-0 lead.

La Real thought they had an equaliser when Take Kubo curled one into the far corner, but his goal was harshly ruled out for a foul in the build up. The home side had further chances in the second half, seeing another goal ruled out - this time for offside - and narrowly missing on two other occasions.

By the end of it all, Los Blancos were left holding onto a scrappy win, one of the litany of young talents at their disposal to thank for a moment of quality.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Anoeta...

Goalkeeper & Defence

Real Madrid Real Sociedad Eder Militao

Kepa Arrizabalaga (7/10):

Made a nice save or two, kept a clean sheet. Job done.

Dani Carvajal (8/10):

Worked tirelessly on the right, and assisted the winner. He's been excellent this season.

Eder Militao (6/10):

Not bad in his first start in six months - one nutmeg notwithstanding.

Nacho (5/10):

Filled in for Antonio Rudiger. Wasn't his most composed performance, and he was fortunate to end the game still on the pitch.

Fran Garcia (7/10):

An energetic showing on the left flank. Handled Kubo well, and also looked to get forward. He's improved of late.

Midfield

Brahim Diaz Real Madrid

Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):

Not his finest game in midfield. Pushed around a bit, and didn't have a big impact defensively. Played a wonderful pass to set up the winner, though.

Luka Modric (8/10):

As elegant as ever on the ball, and made things happen around the box.

Brahim Diaz (5/10):

Not on the ball as much as Ancelotti would have liked, and didn't do loads when he had it. Far from his best game.

Attack

Real Madrid Real Sociedad Arda Guler

Arda Guler (8/10):

Impactful throughout, and grabbed the winner. Another talent has arrived.

Joselu (5/10):

Not his best showing. Ran a lot, won a few headers, but could never impact the game.

Dani Ceballos (5/10):

Rather misused coming off the left wing, and he never really settled into the game. Could probably do with going elsewhere for more minutes

Subs & Manager

Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid

Federico Valverde (7/10):

Added midfield thrust to see the game out.

Vinicius Jr (6/10):

A late burst of energy. Unlucky not to grab an assist.

Antonio Rudiger (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Eduardo Camavinga (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

Rotated heavily with a Champions League semi-final to worry about. Madrid weren't particularly good, and didn't really deserve the three points on performance alone - not that Ancelotti will care...

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