Kylian Mbappé is back for Real Madrid and started Saturday off by scoring a penalty in a comfortable 2:0 win for Los Blancos against Levante C.F. Newly appointed head coach Alvaro Arbeloa got to celebrate his first win with the team as well as his birthday in front of the home crowd that started the afternoon off, not too pleased with the players.
After losing to Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday Arbeloa and the Real Madrid squad were facing a lot of criticism, so a home game against 19th in LaLiga, Levante, was a sure way to win back the disgruntled fans and quiet any nay-sayers. The frustration of the fans was palpable from the get-go, most going as far as to whistle at the players during their warm-up. Things didn’t change for a while after the game had been kicked off. The homeside were desperate for an early goal to appease their fans but couldn’t quite make it work in the box. Their playing style felt very disconnected.
Levante, having nothing to lose in this matchup, kept trying for shots on goal, the closest being Martínez, letting his chance soar over the goal and into the crowd. Madrid were really struggling to refute Levante’s attacks, resulting in a yellow card for Gonzalo after wiping out Romero in a desperate attempt to stop the midfielder. Even with two minutes of added time, Real Madrid can’t make their mark on this match.
After more protests from the fans at halftime, Arbeloa brought in Mastanuono and Güler for Camavinga and Gonzalo. With these new changes Los Blancos became more active, with a first shot on goal. Levante’s keeper, Ryan, barely clearing the attempt from Güler with his foot.
Finally a clear chance presented itself to Madrid as star-striker Mbappé was fouled in the box by De La Fuente and awarded a penalty. The Frenchman stepped up to the point and faked out Ryan to score. With this weight lifted off their shoulders the squad came alive under the watchful eyes of more than 70,000 fans.
Thibout Courtois had a relatively easy second half of the game, managing to scoop up the ball to avoid Eyong from commencing any further toward the goal with no real threat from Los Granotas.
After that Real Madrid secured a corner which was taken by Arda Güler who met Mbappé. The striker lobbed the ball into the Levante defence. The rebound is picked up by Carreras who wins another corner.
Again taken by Güler, he finds Asencio this time around and the Spaniard heads the ball into the net to make it 2:0 for Los Blancos.
The fans have now calmed down and even started a chant to celebrate the young center-back.
Levante tried to strike back with a massive chance as Romero pelted the ball over Courtois and subsequently the goal.
Madrid tried their luck by the tried and true method of having Arda Güler take corners for them, but Asencio ended up not getting enough control over the ball- the dynamic duo not on par in this instance. Gonzalo managed to pass the rebound to a waiting Mastantuono, who hit the crossbar. The Argentinian is now all fired up and launches a long shot at the goal in hopes of making it three for the homeside, but his ball got deflected and went off into the crowd instead.
Arbeloa brings David Alaba for Asencio, who received applause from the stands- high praise from a more than stingy audience that afternoon. With five minutes of added time Levante’s energy had run out and the match came to an end without any further actions.
Real Madrid have now closed up the gap to LaLiga leaders Barcelona and sit only one point behind the Catalans, who have yet to play Matchday 20. After the disappointment in the Copa del Rey and losing in the final of the Supercopa Los Blancos will have been thrilled to appease their fans and relinquish any negative comments. Next the side from the Spanish capital will travel to Villareal, whereas Levante will be hosting Elche.
