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With Real Madrid off to a flying start with a thunderous win over Alavés in game week of the 2021-22 La Liga season, they endured their first stalemate of the season against Levante in game week 2 of the La Liga season.
A 3-3 scoreline always makes for cracker viewing for fans, thanks to a sublime recovery performance by Real Madrid's up-and-coming talisman Vinicius Junior. Furthermore, it was the old dogs who Carlo Ancelotti banked upon to put up a show for Real Madrid in their La Liga clash against Levante.
On that note, let's take a quick look at the
Top 5 players who stood out for Real Madrid in their draw against Levante in La Liga GW 2
#5 Casemiro
Time and again, Casemiro has delivered whenever Real Madrid have required a dominant presence to take control of the midfield. Be it sticking out an elbow, or putting his body on the line to win back possession. He has well and truly evolved into one of Real Madrid's fundamental pieces at the center of the park.
After a scruffy start against a pressing Levante side, Casemiro quickly turned it around for himself and his teammates. Having recorded the most number of touches to the ball alongside new signing David Alaba, Casemiro stood out for his long passes into the flanks.
Moreover, it was a splendid pass from him to Vinicius Junior which gave Madrid their second goal in a tricky match where they looked frail defensively. Casemiro contributed to both sides of the game, in attack and in defense. Ancelotti will have good reason to believe that the young boy, signed from Brazil in his first season at Real Madrid, has developed into a true midfield general for his team.
#4 Karim Benzema
Always a threat in the box, always a threat off the ball with his work rate. Karim Benzema, Real Madrid's number 9 had a relatively quiet game in their La Liga match against Levante.
Karim Benzema has stepped up as the talisman for Real Madrid after Cristiano Ronaldo's era came to an end. Waiting to pounce on every half-chance and putting in performances that help the team continue their winning ways in any capacity is a standard he has surely lived up to. More so, as the team relies heavily on him when it comes to the attacking side of things, with Mariano as the only other recognized striker in the squad.
Benzema delivered an astute pass after cutting back onto his right foot in the fifth minute of the game to help Gareth Bale give Real Madrid the lead.
#3 Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale's performance in La Liga game week 2 was not the best of his performances we've seen in a Real Madrid shirt. Yet these are practical performances that Ancelotti will take any day, in an effort towards reviving the Welsh superstar's career at the club.
Not too bad a finish from the golfer, some would say, as he makes a return to the La Liga giants after a fruitful season with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. Bale scored the goal that gave Real Madrid the lead after a quick linkup with Karim Benzema inside Levante's penalty area. He will hope this is a sign of things to come as he re-ignites his career back at Real Madrid and hopes to return to his prime goalscoring days.
#2 Isco
Possibly the best sixty minutes he's played in a Real Madrid shirt, Isco put in a standout performance in Real Madrid's second La Liga game of the season against Levante.
Isco delivered standout numbers for his dribbling (as he was placed 1st across match stats for dribbles won), ball touches and a remarkable 98% pass accuracy in the match. In fine form at the moment, he has started to define Real Madrid's attacking identity while moving the ball forwards.
#1 Vinícius Júnior
Fans have wondered for a long time when the teenage sensation from Brazil will start to deliver on his potential. In past seasons, we have only seen glimpses such as in Real Madrid's game against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. In that match, the Brazilian scored a brace which was enough to seal qualification for the next round.
With another brace to equalize in the match against Levante, Vinícius Júnior now has 3 goals in two La Liga matches in the new season. This could finally mark a season where he finds goals more consistently and helps his team mount a title challenge.
He could be primed to do so with a lethal Karim Benzema at his aide, alongside Gareth Bale, who seems to be in fine form. A potentially awe-inspiring last minute arrival of Real Madrid's top interest - Kylian Mbappe - would mean Vinícius Júnior could thrive in the company of such talented forwards.
