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Real Madrid hosted struggling Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in La Liga’s 8th Gameweek of the new campaign. Rafa Benitez made a few changes in the lineup by bringing in Isco for the injured Karim Benzema. Cristiano Ronaldo filled in the void left by the Frenchman while the Spain international and Gareth Bale occupied the positions on either wings.
There were a lot of changes in the middle of the park for the home side as Benitez opted to play with Toni Kroos, Casemiro and new signing Mateo Kovacic. The midfield trio were dominant through the game controlling the tempo and retaining possession for the home side. Marcelo and Bale were dangerous every time they were in possession and much of Madrid’s productivity and threat came from the left flank.
It was a comfortable afternoon for the Spanish giants as a struggling Levante team did not pose any threat to the men in white. Madrid cruised to a comfortable victory through Marcelo and Ronaldo’s goals in the first half. Jese came on in the second half and he put on a brilliant display. He put the cherry on top by scoring the third goal for the Galacticos, who secured all three points and are yet to be beaten in the league this season.
Teams
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Danilo, Rafael Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic, Gareth Bale, Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo
Levante: Ruben; Simao, Feddal, Juanfran; Morales, Casadesus, Jose Mari, Camarasa, Tono Garcia; Deyverson, Roger.
First Half: Madrid capitalize on Levante’s defensive lapses
The visitors made a positive start by testing Madrid’s defence right from the first whistle when Deyverson’s early effort was saved by Navas, who pushed it to safety and awarded the visitors the first corner of the game.
The home side exploited the left flank through Marcelo and Bale who ran past the opposition’s full back with ease. Bale played a fine through ball to Ronaldo down the middle and there was an appeal for a penalty early in the 15th minute of the match when Levante defender Feddal brought him down in the box. However, the referee completely ignored the Portuguese's appeal.
Bale had a glorious opportunity to score the opener when he was left unmarked in the penalty box. However, his free header from Isco’s corner kick in the 22nd min went above the goalpost. Los Blancos kept pressing the opposition high in their own half and this led to a defensive error when Marcelo stole the ball from Levante’s right back and went on to give his team the lead in the 27th minute.
Ronaldo and Marcelo exchanged few passes on the flank before the Portuguese provided the assist to his teammate, who calmly slotted home the opening goal of the game. The visitors were presented with a good opportunity to level the game, but Devyverson‘s header in the 28th minute was brilliantly denied by Keylor Navas.
Right after the striker’s effort, there was another defensive blunder on the other end, when Kroos dispossessed Casadesus and played a through ball to Ronaldo, who ended his league goal drought with a sublime finish in the 29th minute. In doing so, Ronaldo also became Real Madrid’s top scored by going one ahead of previous leader Raul Gonzalez.
Second Half: Jese’s goal confirmed 3 points for the home side
The second half got off to a slow start as Benitez’s men sat deep and contained the opposition’s attack. On one occasion, it nearly paid off when Toni Kroos made a fine interception in the middle of the park to launch a quick counter attack.
Lucas Vazquez set up Kroos who was standing free on the edge of the box. The German international’s effort was comfortably saved by Ruben on the hour mark.
The substitute who came on for Bale was eager to impress his boss and he nearly did with a solo run from the middle. He was brought down on the edge of the box by midfielder Jose Mari and Ronaldo stepped up to take the free-kick but his shot went straight into the keeper’s hands.
Jese Rodriguez was another player introduced in the second half by the Los Blancos manager and he almost made an instant impact by running down the left flank to create a goal scoring opportunity for Madrid’s No.7. However, Ronaldo’s improvised back-heel went wide and he was unfortunate not to score his second goal.
Goalkeeper Navas had a fairly comfortable afternoon and he wasn’t tested by Levante’s attacking force. Devyverson was wasteful throughout the whole game and failed to convert the chances presented to him.
The visitors were given a knockout blow when substitute Jese scored the third goal of the game, confirming the much needed three points to the Galacticos. This time, Vazquez provided the assist to Jese who blasted home the goal of the season in the 81st minute.
