Levante U.D 0-2 Real Madrid CF | Talking points as the reigning champions march on despite injuries | La Liga 2020-21

Levante gave Real Madrid a proper match at this early kick-off (1600 Local time) and will feel hard done by to not take anything away tonight in terms of points.
Levante gave Real Madrid a proper match at this early kick-off (1600 Local time) and will feel hard done by to not take anything away tonight in terms of points.

#4 Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric's replacements

This match made it pretty clear that there is one man at the back without whom the whole thing could come crashing down. Sergio Ramos has been a bit of a late bloomer, truly coming into his own after Spain's World Cup triumph in 2010. Since then, there's been no looking back as it's been accolade after accolade for the Spain and Real Madrid captain.

Every crucial game that Ramos has missed throughout the years, like the recent comedy of errors against Manchester City in the Champions League, sees Real Madrid tend to struggle quite a bit.

He showed again tonight why he's undoubtedly one of the key cogs in the Real Madrid machine.

Real Madrid CF v CA Osasuna - La Liga
Real Madrid CF v CA Osasuna - La Liga

Another man who makes the team tick a lot better, though the reliance on him has started to wane since the arrival of Valverde, is Luka Modric. He has certainly fallen of his peak.

Real Madrid need to find replacements for these two, and they need to find them fast. The squad is good for now, but with both of these players above 34, it's better to start looking while it's not a necessity yet.

Real need to brace for the impact as these two legends of the game grow less influential for the club in the upcoming seasons.


#5 VAR denies Real Madrid more goals

Another big talking point tonight was the use of VAR, as the technology's usage became even more unclear.

Sergio Ramos appeared to have nodded Real Madrid's second goal of the night in the 70th minute. Luka Modric curled in a spectacular free kick begging for any contact and Captain Marvelous answered that call. However, he appeared to have knocked down Ruben Vezo whilst doing so.

The goal should most certainly have been chalked out, and it was. The decision given by the officials was offside, but Sergio Ramos ran in from deep to connect with the cross. The decision was another truly baffling one that left more than a lot of heads being scratched.

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