Real Madrid have bounced back from their derby defeat and have overcome Levante 3-1 at the Estadio Ciutat de Valencia on Wednesday evening.
After their loss to city rivals Atletico Madrid, Los Blancos sought to turn their fortunes around and lessen the deficit between themselves and league leaders Barcelona. However, the visitors were made to work hard for the result as Levante were relentless in their efforts. Los Galacticos were without several key players and lacked creativity in attack.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock via a penalty following a foul on Lucas Vasquez in the area. Almost immediately after, Real doubled their lead as Borja Mayoral’s shot deflected off goalkeeper Diego Marino for an own goal.
Levante did of course have an answer as Deyverson’s left-footed strike travelled into the bottom-right corner of the goal. Both sides had other chances but it was Isco who sealed the victory for the visitors with an injury time winner.
Real are now nine points behind the Catalans and are four points clear of fourth placed Villarreal.
Badly missing Gareth Bale
For Real Madrid fans, it feels as though the Welshman has been MIA for an eternity. While it is not easy for the likes of Vasquez to fill the vacancy of Bale, it must be said that in his absence, there is a definite lack of creativity in the attacking third.
Team mate Ronaldo “hinted” rather harshly during last week about this issue in this rough period of Madrid’s illustrious history.
POPULAR: La Liga – Player Ratings – Celta Vigo 0 Villarreal 0
Indeed the problem was evident against Levante who are the bottom dwellers of the league.
Despite the likes of Vasquez and Nacho finding themselves in excellent positions to create, they were unable to conjure anything fantastic from these areas. In saying this, however, Real were enjoying the freedom they had on the right flank, especially in the first term where they were tearing that side of the pitch to shreds.
Mayoral and his first start for Madrid
He may be the club’s fill-in striker at the moment but it is the opportunity the young 18-year-old was waiting for. Borja Mayoral is the product of the Young Madrid Academy and has been in scintillating form for the Real Madrid Castilla this season.
The youngster has scored 13 goals in 28 games for the Real B squad this season and last year won the Under-19 European Championship in which he was the top goalscorer.
He came on against Real’s arch rivals on the weekend to cheers from the stands and his 45-minute performance caused problems for Atletico. Coach Zinedine Zidane was impressed by his efforts and hence had his first ever start for the senior squad against Levante.
Indeed it looked like he had almost scored his first goal for the side on his initial call-up if it was not for the deflection of Marino. Mayoral found himself in excellent positions on several occasions but could not get the decisive final touch.
All in all another positive performance by the youngster and Real fans can rest easy knowing there is talent coming through the ranks.
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