Real Madrid return to winning ways away at Levante

Real Madrid recovered from their weekend derby defeat with a battling win at bottom side Levante who made life tough for Zinedine Zidane’s men. Third-placed Madrid kept pace wiith second-placed Atletico, after only their second road win in their last six attempts in the Liga BBVA. Levante remain rooted to the foot of the standings.

Changes 

Madrid coach Zidane made a string of changes to the side that lost to Atletico, not all forced by injury. Pepe and Nacho came in at the back, Lucas Vazquez joined Casemiro in midfield, while youth-team striker Borja Mayoral lead the line in place of Karim Benzema.

Navas saves

Despite their lowly position, Levante took the game to Madrid and made life difficult for them. Giuseppe Rossi forced a double save from Keylor Navas early on and Los Blancos were forced to work hard as they struggled to create clear chances.

Quick goals

The game sprung to life in the 34th minute when Lucas Vazquez dribbled in off the right flank and was tripped in the area by Lucas Orban. Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty and buried a low shot in the corner for his 23rd goal of the season. Soon after Madrid doubled their lead. Borja Mayoral, making his first ever start with the senior team, found space on the edge of the area to get in a shot. His effort came back off the post and hit home keeper Diego Mariño on the back and rolled over the line.

FT: Levante 1-3 Real Madrid (Deyverson 39'; @Cristiano 34' (p), Mariño (OG) 38', @isco_alarcon 90+2').#RMLiga pic.twitter.com/Fm1KJg4rRE

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) March 2, 2016

Deyverson strike

The joy of a two-goal cushion was shortly lived though. Levante went straight down the other end and pulled a goal back when Deyverson lonked with Rossi and beat Keylor Navas. It was the Brazilian striker’s eighth goal of the season and lifted the home crowd just before the break.

Isco

Ronaldo hit the post and Madrid always looked more like scoring in the closing stages. At the end. the lively Vazquez fed Ronaldo, and the Portuguese forward picked out substitute Isco in the area. The midfieldeor stroked a shot into the net and closed out Levante's hopes of an equaliser.