The second game of La Liga was again an away match for Real Madrid. On paper, an easy match, but in reality a really difficult one! A quiet first half was followed by an intensive second half which produced a total of 5 goals, 1 post, 1 red card and a Levante outfield player (Ruben Vezo) that ended up in net for the final 6 minutes of extra time to replace the keeper. Real Madrid was actually two times in disadvantage and only managed to equalize everything when the game was approaching the end. There were many negative notes on this match as well as positive notes and at the end the draw seemed like the fairest result. Both teams gain one point and prepare for the next week.
But how did the players perform? Below is the list of the players and their ratings. We can say that it was not a really good day for Real Madrid and especially the defensive line which allowed some mistakes and made things easier for the opponent. Ancelotti will have a lot to work on in the upcoming days, but however the main problem remain the injuries/absences and the ability of the players to focus and to keep the rhythm from the first to the last moment of the match whenever they face opponents that are not of a higher level (on paper).
Below are the ratings for the starting XI:
Thibaut Courtois: 5.5
The Belgian goalkeeper will never be happy conceding three goals in one match. He had little fault in the three goals conceded, but did overcommit on a play in the 81st minute where Levante hit the post. He could’ve done better, but it’s not fair to blame the keeper which is the last link of the squad chain when in front of him there is a defensive line that is not performing well.
Lucas Vazquez: 3.0
Nightmare performance for the stand-in right back. Lucas will want and will have to put this game behind him and move on. Completely switched off on Levante’s first goal, allowing Roger Marti to run freely in the box. He was left marking two men on Levante’s second goal, and even why he cannot be fully blamed, he should have been barking orders to one of the likes of Bale or Fede to help track back.
Militao: 5.5
Defended well when isolated 1 v 1 vs Morales or Campana, showing off his physical strength.Took a risk and committed aggressively on the first goal Madrid conceded, ultimately did not win the ball and the risk ended in a goal for the opposition.
Nacho: 5.5
Won all 4 of his ground duels and finished the match with 100% pass accuracy from 73 passes. One criticism would be on Levante’s second goal, should have closed down the angle on De Frutos, so that he could not get off a clean cross to Campana. Sometimes the space between he and Militao was too large of a gap.
David Alaba: 6.0
Some very good moments from the Austrian like his pre-assist to Benzema to set-up the first goal, but also needlessly pressed on Levante’s second goal and headed the Levante free kick back across goal on the third goal Madrid conceded. However, he is always active and seems more vital than his other colleagues of the defensive line.
Casemiro: 8.5
After some poor passes in the first half, Casemiro evolved into one of the fundamental pieces of the Madrid team. He had the most touches alongside David Alaba, spread the field with 10 long balls (6 completed), won 7 of his 10 aerial and ground duels, and produced 2 key passes including the Xabi Alonso-esque assist to Vinicius Jr on Madrid’s second goal.
Isco: 9.0
Played 60 minutes and played 60 minutes at a supremely high level. He was the standout performer in the first half. In the first half alone, Isco had: 3 completed dribbles (1st), was fouled 4 times (1st), 49 touches (1st), 33 passes and 98% pass accuracy, with 3 tackles (1st). If Isco can maintain this type of form, he will be a very important player for Real Madrid this season.
Fede Valverde: 5.0
Provided good energy in midfield and is omnipresent whenever Madrid press. Fell asleep on Levante’s second goal and should have helped track back with Lucas Vazquez covering two players at the back post. He needs to keep the high rhythm for a longer time, otherwise all of the efforts that he makes initially will lose their value...
Gareth Bale: 6.5
Took his finish well, astutely held his run and provided Benzema with a lateral option. Though, other than his goal, Bale was relatively quiet. He did well to occupy the left half space and try to pin Levante’s backline further back, but most of Madrid’s possession was on the left side of the pitch.
Eden Hazard: 4.0
Stats will show Eden finished the game with 2 key passes and 2 completed dribbles, but his influence on the match was minimal. Stats do not always describe the reality well and this is one of those cases. There was plenty of possession on the left side of the pitch, but Hazard failed to leave his mark on the match.
Karim Benzema: 6.5
The Frenchman had a quiet game for his incredibly high standards but he still left good marks. He made a brilliant run assisting Bale in a very intelligent way and also assisted Vinicius in the 3rd goal. These will make him earn half a point above 6.0. However, he only had 39 touches — against Alaves last week he saw 18 more touches or 33% more passes.
The ratings for the subs:
Vinicius Jr.: 10.0
The boy is taking important steps to become a man. This Levante match felt eerily similar to the Liverpool game, where one could say Vinicius is finally here with the difference that this time the situation was even more serious and he saved Real Madrid from the defeat! The season is still young and Vinicius will need to prove that this uptick in finishing can be sustained over 38 games, but the Brazilian simply put the team on his back to score two brilliant goals and forced Aitor Fernadez into drawing a red card. A perfect performance from the Brazilian who spared Madrid’s blushes.
Rodyrg Goes: 7.0
While not quite as impactful as his compatriot Vinicius, Rodrygo was a net positive coming on to the right wing. It was his pass that released Vinicius into space to draw Aitor Fernandez’ red card. It was also Rodrygo who created enough space via a successful 1 v 1 take on down the right, to play an inch perfect cross to Luka Jovic who nearly scored with his snap header.
Marco Asensio: 4.0
Played as a central midfielder just as Carlo Ancelotti said he would in the press conference yesterday and he failed to impress. Marco ran tirelessly, but often ran out of position and hurting Madrid’s shape. In what became a bad habit last season, Asensio failed to track his mark on Levante’s third goal from a free kick.
Luka Jovic: 6.5
Arguably earned Madrid a penalty in the dying minutes of the match, but the referee waved away Madrid’s protests. The Serbian tried but he cannot buy a goal for Real Madrid — he had a strong snap header from a Rodrygo cross, but it was directed right at Aitor Fernandez.
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