Real Madrid vs. Levante: Score, Grades, Reaction from Liga Game

Real Madrid grabbed an important victory ahead of next week’s Clasico, as they beat Levante, 2-0, at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Gareth Bale ended a run of nine games without a goal as he broke the deadlock early in the first half, before grabbing a second soon after as Cristiano Ronaldo’s powerful strike flicked off the Welshman’s boot on the way into the back of the net.

In the second half, the hosts seemed to turn down the intensity considerably, barely creating a clear-cut chance of note as they began to turn their attentions to the big challenge coming over the horizon. Only Karim Benzema briefly lifted the home crowd with one remarkable attempt that hit the woodwork, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side visibly settled for a two-goal winning margin.

The result means Real remain just one point behind Barcelona at the top of the league standings, something that will offer a measure of relief to Ancelotti ahead of the two clubs’ head-to-head meeting at the Nou Camp next weekend.

The match promises to be a battle to savour: Barcelona may be in better form and have the benefit of home advantage to go with their slender points lead, but they also have a midweek Champions League tie against Manchester City to negotiate first. Whereas Real can already start focusing on the meeting with their biggest rivals.

“[We got] three points and a clean sheet, now we’re coming for Barca,” Real full-back Dani Carvajal said afterward (per Football Espana). “We haven’t had a good month but winning the league depends on us, plus we’re in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Not many [teams] can say that.

“We had a bad month but the team are still the same and our system is still the same. The most important thing is that we have everyone back. In a Clasico, there’s never a favourite, but we’re going to Camp Nou with the intention of winning.”

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Perhaps with the Clasico in mind, Ancelotti made a number of changes to his starting XI. Keylor Navas replaced Iker Casillas in goal—although Ancelotti has previously insisted the under-fire Casillas will start against Barcelona—while Toni Kroos, one booking away from a suspension, was dropped to the bench. In his place came Luka Modric, looking to prove his fitness after a recent period on the sidelines.

Real dominated the play from the first whistle and could have been ahead after just four minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo’s toe-poked effort ricocheted away off the post. Soon after, both Sergio Ramos and Pepe failed to find the target with headed chances before Modric forced a good save from Diego Marino after going for the bottom corner from 25 yards.

It seemed a matter of time before the game’s opening goal arrived, and in the end, it was something of a surprise that it took 18 minutes. The buildup was beautiful, but ultimately, it was something of a scramble to get the ball into the net, as Modric and Carvajal combined down the right before Karim Benzema clipped a lovely cross toward the far post.

Ronaldo’s bicycle kick was blocked off the line but then only half-cleared into the path of Bale, who emphatically put his first-time volley into the far corner.

It was a clinical finish. The Welshman celebrated by covering his ears and then kicking at the corner flag—perhaps a sign of his frustration at some of the recent criticism of his performances.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

The home side continued to dominate from that point, with Bale looking most likely to add to the scoring as he missed the target with one improvised attempt and forced Marino into a good save with a powerful header. As it turned out, he would indeed be the one to double Real’s advantage, although in a manner unlikely to endear him to certain people inside the Bernabeu.

A quickly taken free-kick down the right released Carvajal to the byline, who cut the ball back to Ronaldo inside the box. The Portuguese’s powerful strike may have been finding the bottom corner of the net, but it was Bale’s deft touch that confirmed the goal.

Ronaldo, never one to willingly give up a goal to a team-mate, celebrated it as if it were his own—he may be disappointed when he reads the official scoreline.

"

VINE. Gareth Bale Goll. 2-0. https://t.co/DQvBDlsgpE

— Siaran Bola Live (@SiaranBolaLive_) March 15, 2015"

The second half was a more subdued affair, with Levante happy to keep the score as it was for 15 minutes before their manager, Lucas Alcaraz, finally unleashed two substitutions with the intention of improving their attacking threat. It had a slight impact—if we are being charitable. Although Real rarely looked in any danger of conceding a clear-cut opportunity as Modric, in particular, dictated the action all around him.

There were moments of brilliance amid the mediocrity. Benzema nearly scored a goal of rare class, one that almost defies description. The Frenchman met Ronaldo’s cross with the heel of his right foot, seeing it ricochet back off the top of the post and straight toward him. He skewed the rebound wide, although the audacity of his attempt still earned him applause from the crowd.

"

Vine: Benzema backheel into the post [@AlbertoCuellarr] https://t.co/VLmfxH7yfM

— Real Madrid Info (@RmadridInfo) March 15, 2015"

His frustration at failing to convert that opportunity was more than matched by Ronaldo, who cut an aggrieved figure throughout. He seemed offended that the ball would not go into the net for him, staying on for the full 90 minutes in pursuit of a goal that would close the gap on Lionel Messi in the goalscoring charts.

It was destined not to come—a late close-range chance being shinned wide to cap his frustration.

Ronaldo may have walked off disappointed, but otherwise this was a job well done for Ancelotti and his men. The first half demonstrated a greater attacking incisiveness from Los Blancos, while they successfully preserved their energy in the second stanza.

There is still much preparation needed before they meet Barcelona, but there were reasons for encouragement in this performance. 

Player Ratings

Player	Rating
Keylor Navas	6
Dani Carvajal	7
Sergio Ramos	7
Pepe	7
Marcelo	7
Luka Modric	8
Lucas Silva	7
Isco	7
Gareth Bale	7
Cristiano Ronaldo	6
Karim Benzema	7
Substitutions
Jese Rodriguez	7
Asier Illarramendi	6
Javier Hernandez	6

Player	Rating
Diego Marino	7
Ivan Lopez	6
Ivan Ramis	6
David Navarro	6
Tono	6
Simao	6
Roberto Camarasa	7
Jose Morales	5
David Barral	6
Jordi Xumetra	6
Kalu Uche	6
Substitutions
Nabil El Zhar	6
Ruben Garcia	6
Victor Casadesus	n/a

What's Next?

Real Madrid's next game is a big one—they meet Barcelona in the season's second Clasico at the Nou Camp next Sunday. Levante, meanwhile, host Celta Vigo just over 24 hours earlier.