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Real Madrid slipped into a potential crisis, as Los Blancos dropped points for the second consecutive game, this time against newly promoted side, Levante who grabbed a point in a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.
The visitors shocked Madrid in the 12th minute as they scored from a long throw, with Ivi Lopez silencing the Bernabeu with a clever finish. Lucas Vazquez tapped home a scrappy equalizer for Madrid in the 36th minute, but Madrid laboured throughout, struggling with their creativity as the visibly tired in the second half, despite Isco's best efforts. Marcelo was sent off for a petulant kick out in the 88th minute, further worsening things for Zinedine Zidane.
Here are the major talking points of the game:
#1 Rotation, much?
Zinedine Zidane was lauded for his ability to rotate last season, but a large part of that tactic succeeding was the fact that relatively experienced players like James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata were the players coming in. Zinedine Zidane brought in a fair amount of his youngsters, this time around, and the inconsistencies of youth shone through.
Zidane tweaked the personnel going forward, with Marcelo playing in the forward line. While the Brazilian dovetailed well with Theo, he seemed a bit lost when he was left alone on that side of the pitch. Zidane's tinkering might have gone a bit too far tonight, but perhaps the Frenchman might be a bit more circumspect next time.
#2 Gareth Bale's redemption seems unlikely
Football is a game of inches. Destinies of players and indeed clubs often come down to the vagaries of the wind blowing the ball off-course.
When Gareth Bale towered above his marker in the 87th minute, it looked for all the world that his Real Madrid career was set to spark to life yet again. It was the perfect chance, no Ronaldo, no Benzema with Asensio having a quiet game, and Bale could have rescued all three points at the hugely demanding Bernabeu.
As it turned out, Bale's header was inches wide, and his Madrid career continues to be in the doldrums. With Asensio's star on the rise and Ronaldo only a game away from returning, time's running out for Bale, and perhaps we may see him make a move in January.
However, his manager believes in him, if not his own crowd:
"No player’s happy when they’re whistled, but I see him well mentally. I don’t see him as badly as people are saying. He’s a very important player and he’ll do well."
#3 Levante will not be relegated this season
5 points from Villarreal, Deportivo la Coruna and Real Madrid.
This is not the form of a side that will be relegated. Levante were the favourites of many a pundit to go down when they were promoted despite coming up as champions, but what's been characteristic of Jose Muniz' side has been their ability to react to adverse situations, such as coming back from 2-0 down to draw Depor 2-2.
There wasn't any adverse situation against Madrid per se, as Ivi showed great enterprise to nip ahead of Carvajal and score the opener. What came later was classic Levante, with Muniz ensuring his team kept their shape and barely allowed Madrid and space in the box, with plenty of excellent defensive work.
Record signing Enis Bardhi was left on the bench, which shows that Levante will take plenty of points from top La Liga sides this season.
#4 Karim Benzema's injury leaves Madrid in peril
It was something that went under the radar when the transfer window shut - the fact that Real Madrid only have Karim Benzema and Borja Mayoral as central strikers. Sure, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale can play in that position, but it's a case of switching the style of play as well, which has effects to the rest of Madrid's setup.
As it stands, Madrid face a daunting trip to the Anoeta without Ronaldo and Benzema, after having travelled from Nicosia in Cyprus for the midweek game. Not the easiest of tasks.
Longer term, Real Madrid simply have to dip into the market in January for striking reinforcements, or they risk falling away in multiple targets this season. A move for Timo Werner has been keeping the rumour mill alive, and it would be a perfect purchase for Los Blancos.
Before the alarm bells for Madrid are sounded, fans would do well to remember that there were 3 consecutive draws for Madrid in September last season, so this is hardly a crisis.
#5 La Liga referees have a good day, almost.
The refereeing class could clearly be improved. Sometimes it's not at the top [level], as happened in that Real Madrid and Barcelona match. I have never spoken badly of referees and I did not tell [interim Spanish FA president Juan Luis] Larrea that the referees were treating Real Madrid unfairly. What I said was that it didn't make sense that the talk was about the referee after a match as big as Barcelona against Real Madrid.
Florentino Perez' words ahead of the game undoubtedly put the spotlight on referee Hernandez Hernandez, but the official came out with flying colours.
Despite the television director's attempts in Madrid to place every 50-50 decision under scrutiny, Hernandez got most of the decisions spot on, and despite what a biased Madridista might tell you, got Marcelo's red card absolutely right.
However, the fact remains that Real Madrid have had 2 red cards already this season. The amount of games Barcelona have taken to have 2 red cards as well? 83.
