Levante 1-3 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points

After a demoralizing defeat to Atletico, Real Madrid returned to winning ways against Levante. Facing a raft of injury problems, Zinedine Zidane turned to the youth as Borja Mayoral, Lucas Vazquez and Casemiro started this game. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Mayoral’s shot hit the post and bounced in off the keeper to double Real Madrid’s advantage.Levante immediately hit back through Deyverson to half the deficit. Real Madrid looked the more likely to score then but they secured the three points after substitute Isco scored late in the match after good work from Ronaldo.Real Madrid stay 9 points behind Barcelona, who have a game in hand, and the La Liga title looks out of their reach at the moment.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo leads by example

Ronaldo opened the scoring for Real from the penalty spot

Playing in attack alongside two youngsters, the onus was on Cristiano Ronaldo to make the decisive contributions for Real Madrid. After his controversial outburst in the wake of the derby defeat against Atletico, all eyes were on him. Ronaldo came up trumps with a great performance as he put the Levante defence to the sword.

Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot and set up the third goal, and during the whole game, the Levante defence struggled to deal with his movement and ability. Ronaldo was unlucky not to add to his tally as he hit the post in the second half as well.

With the pressure firmly on him and his team, he had to deliver and he did. Real Madrid need him to continue his form now if they are to salvage this season.

#2 Young attackers shine for the Los Blancos

Given the amount of injuries faced by Real Madrid, the youngsters might be needed again

With Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale out injured, Zidane opted to give young Mayoral and Lucas Vazquez a game rather than the more experienced duo of Jese Rodriguez and Isco. Both youngsters impressed as well, showing a lot of commitment and endeavour to the cause and running their hearts out on the pitch.

Involved in both ends of the pitch, both players despite the attacking roles, contributed with the defensive side of play as well. Most of the best opportunities came from the right-hand side with Lucas Vazquez looking threatening all the time. He earned the penalty that allowed Real Madrid to take the lead.

Meanwhile, despite sometimes being out of sync with his teammates which is to be expected on your first start, Borja Mayoral handled the pressure the well and had a major part in the second goal where his shot hit the post before hitting the keeper and rebounding in.

Given the amount of injuries faced by Real Madrid at the moment, it was a brilliant sight in seeing the youngsters step up and make themselves count. They might be needed again.

#3 Does Casemiro adds balance to the team?

Casemiro's presence allowed Kroos to move further forward

It was surprising to see Zidane start Casemiro, on the fringes of the first team, ahead of young Mateo Kovacic for this game. Casemiro is arguably the only true defensive midfielder in the team and his start led to Toni Kroos having a comparatively free role than he is accustomed to.

Kroos utilised the chance and was present all over the pitch to keep the ball moving and looking far more akin to the Toni Kroos we have seen at Bayern and Germany. He was far more involved in the buildup play as well.

Casemiro, however, did not have his best game as well. His decision making was poor and rash while his long shots left much to be desired. His tackling also was not up to the mark. Kovacic looked far more threatening in his time on the pitch.

However, there is no denying the fact that Kroos and Modric have appeared much better with Casemiro on the pitch as the holding midfielder, rather than Kroos having to fill that role. A top-quality DM might be a priority now in the summer, but the question of now has to be answered as well and if Casemiro merits an inclusion on the side.

#4 James Rodriguez disappoints again

James was forced to move to the flanks throughout the match

After his injury issues this season, James Rodriguez has not returned as the same ever-confident player we saw tearing through Brazil in 2014. His form has been subpar and his confidence has clearly taken a huge beating. In a playmaking role where he roams all over the pitch for space, James was barely in the centre of the action as he constantly was found on the flanks.

He huffed and puffed defensively, tackling the opposition on the ball and putting in crosses but his end product was just not there. Given that all the other attacking players around him, and those off the bench, registered significant contributions to the cause, James needs to pick himself back up or else he might find himself on the bench soon.

Rumours of a move away and Real Madrid looking to sign a replacement are only going to intensify after such performances.

#5 Real Madrid defence bailed out by Navas

Navas played a huge part in Madrid's triumph

Given the raft of injuries (Marcelo, Ramos and Carvajal are missing) to the side, as well as a slightly new midfield ahead of them, Real Madrid’s defence failed to turn their fortunes around and put in a better performance. Looking a little jittery all game, both full-backs failed to put a case for inclusion over the injured first teamers in this game, while both Pepe and Varane did not appear as solid as when Sergio Ramos is present in the heart of the defence.

Fortunately for them, Keylor Navas continued his inspired form with several top saves once again as he kept the goals conceded tally to 1. At the club only due to some administrative errors in the transfer of David de Gea, Navas has been outstanding in this season and does not deserve to be moved right now.