Saturday April 6, 2013 Day 30 Bernabéu

Countdown: -47 Days

  1. Spanish Liga - Real Madrid put five past Levante

    Spanish Liga - Real Madrid put five past Levante

    Real Madrid secured a slightly flattering 5-1 win over Levante after adding late goals. More

  • Live Commentary

    • - What did you make of the game at the Bernabeu? Did Real Madrid deserve to win 5-1? Or did Levante allow Madrid too many shots on target? Let me know on Twitter (@grahamruthven).
    • - A peculiar game sees Real Madrid emerge as 5-1 winners despite a rather wasteful performance. Ozil and Ronaldo made the difference in the second half, but the end scoreline was slightly harsh on Levante.
    • 92' FULL TIME: Real Madrid 5-1 Levante.
    • 90' An additional two minutes of stoppage time to be played.
    • 90' GOAL! Real Madrid 5-1 Levante (90 min - Mesut Ozil). A beautifully worked goal results in Ozil turning home from close range.
    • 89' This result will put Real Madrid four points clear of Atletico Madrid in the race for second place. Not that second place will mean much to Mourinho.
    • 87' The scoreline is a little flattering on Real, who have been the better side but have been extremely wasteful in front of goal. Levante will be frustrated to have let their guard down so late in the game.
    • 86' GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Levante (86 mins - Mesut Ozil). The German has the simple task of turning the ball into the empty net after unselfish play by Ronaldo, who squares the bal to Ozil with Munua out his goal.
    • 84' That goal means that Ronaldo keeps up his goals to games ratio for the seaon. He has as many goals as he has games, if you haven't heard. An incredible record.
    • 83' GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Levante (83 mins - Cristiano Ronaldo). Good play from Higuain presents Ronaldo with a great chance 10 yards out and the Madrid number seven smashes a half-volley into the net.
    • 82' Ozil's freekick meets Juanfran, the first defender, continuing a trend of poor set-pieces this afternoon.
    • 81' Marcelo slots a smark ball through to Ozil who is onside, but Munua closes the angle and the German playmaker can't generate the space to get his shot past the keeper.
    • 79' Valdo catches Lopez out his goals from a long ball forward, rounding the Madrid keeper to square to Barkero but the substitute blazes high over the upright. Will that wake Madrid up?
    • 78' Ronaldo shoots low at goal from 20 yards, but Munua gets down low to push the effort away from the target.
    • 77' Levante sub: Michel OFF, Jose Javier Barkero ON.
    • 76' Real Madrid sub: Karim Benzema OFF, Mesut Ozil ON.
    • 75' Higuain's shot is palmed away by Munua before the ball is thrown back into the danger area only for Arbeloa to fluff his lines and shoots straight against Vyntra.
    • 74' Mesut Ozil looks ready to come on Madrid. I would think that would mean the end of Modric's afternoon.
    • 73' Ronaldo tumbles to the ground after a quick counter attack but the referee doesn't see anything in Pape Diop's challenge that suggests it should've been a spot kick.
    • 71' Now it's Di Maria's turn to have a shot on goal, but his left-footed effort goes out of play near the corner flag. Time to plan some shooting practice, Mourinho?
    • 70' Things open up for Benzema as he drives forward but he smashes his shot well over the bar. That was rather embarrassing, actually.
    • 69' In bringing Acquafresca off Levante don't actually have a recognised striker on the pitch. This is Spain though, I suppose. The home of the striker-less strategy.
    • 68' Levante sub: Robert Acquafresca OFF, Nabil El Zhar ON.
    • 68' Levante sub: Pedro Rios OFF, Valdo ON.
    • 67' Levante leave Pepe unmarked from the corner who heads down into the ground forcing Munua into a good save.
    • 66' Benzema winds up a volley at the back post after Modric's cross is deflected high into the Madrid air but Pedro Rios clears for a corner.
    • 65' Arbeloa tries to find Higuain with a low cross into the box but it's intercepted by Juanfran.
    • 64' Ronaldo's control deserts him as he fails to gather in a pass from Modric. It's always dangerous to criticise the Real number seven, but he looks like someone who's just come off the bench.
    • 63' Michel's delivery from a set-piece is once again disappointing, and is easily cleared by Pepe.
    • 62' Ronaldo plays a low cross into Benzema but the Frenchman's clever backheel flick goes wide. That would've been cheeky.
    • 61' Higuain takes Di Maria's cross into his chest, turning his marker to try and manufacture some space 16 yards out but he blazes his shot over.
    • 60' YELLOW CARD: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).
    • 59' Ronaldo and Benzema almost play with Levante playing a series of one-twos on their way into the Levante box, but Ballesteros intercepts just as Benzema looked to shoot.
    • 58' Despite turning in a good performance Mourinhop opts to wihdraw Kaka. Does the Madrid manager not believe in the Brazilian's fitness levels?
    • 57' Real Madrid sub: Kaka OFF, Angel Di Maria ON.
    • 56' Acquafresca comes so close to levelling the game, firing a volleyed shot just past the post after good interplay between Michel and Pedro Rios.
    • 54' Levante look to be pressing higher on Madrid but the problem with that is that they appear to be getting picked off easier. Difficult to get the right balance.
    • 53' Madrid look more purposeful in the secon half. The introduction of Ronaldo has added some urgency to their attacking play.
    • 52' Kaka side-steps the challenge of Ballesteros but can't curl his effort below the crossbar. The Brazilian still looks bright today.
    • 51' Ronaldo throws a few step-overs into his stride, bambozzling Juanfran before smashing a shot at Munua. However the Levante keeper punches away.
    • 50' Higuain actually looked to be in a better position than Benzema on that last chance, running without a marker behind the French striker.
    • 49' Arbeloa knocks a floated cross into the box from a position high up on the right wing but Benzema can't generate enough power in header and Munua gets down to save.
    • 48' Modric elects to shoot from 30 yards but his low shot skids off the turf and wide of th target.
    • 47' Arbeloa strikes at goal but turns into more of a cross, with Higuain retrieving it before it goes out of play, but can't squeeze his shot on target and hits the side netting.
    • 46' It takes a minute for Ronaldo to get involved, as Modric crosses for the Real number seven but the ball is too high, even for him.
    • 45' And the second half is under way.
    • 45' Real Madrid sub: Jose Maria Callejon OFF, Cristiano Ronaldo ON.
    • - What did you make of the first half in Madrid? Let me know on Twitter (@grahamruthven).
    • - Not a great performance by Real Madrid so far but certainly doing enough to be ahead. Levant have offered very little going forward, apart from the attack they scored from of course. The home side look able to move into a higher gear whenever they want.
    • 45' HALF TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Levante.
    • 44' Levante put some pressure on the Madrid backline, forcing Lopez to lump the ball long. That's the first time the visitors have done that all game.
    • 43' Marcelo plays a neat little one-two with Kaka but his cross into the box is too strong and goes out for a throw-in.
    • 42' Ruben Garcia has a set piece in a good position from 40 yards but he can't get his delivery past the first man. Disappointing.
    • 41' What is worrying for Levante is how Madrid were able to move into another gear so quickly and easily after conceding. Mourinho's men have more quality all over the pitch, unsurprisingly.
    • 40' Madrid now looking to calm the game down, now that they have the lead. Modric and Kaka taking control of the ball.
    • 39' The sight of Ronaldo warming up must've sparked this Real side into life. The penalty award was slightly harsh on Lell, who fel victim to a deflection, but it was probably the correct decision, no matter how unfortunate for the visitors.
    • 38' GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Levante (38 mins - Kaka). The home side is awarded a penalty after a handball by Lell and Kaka sweeps home the spot kick.
    • 36' That was a truly exceptional finish by Higuain. Great technique to swivel his body towards goal and strike on the volley.
    • 35' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Levante (35 mins - Higuain). Wonderful finish by Higuain, who takes Arbeloa's cross on the volley and fires high into the net. Great goal.
    • 35' Real work the ball across their frontline, eventually finding Callejon on the right but he smashes his effort into the side netting.
    • 34' Modric plays through Benzema, who takes the ball round Munua but can't squeeze a shot past Juanfran. However, he's incorrectly flagged as offside.
    • 33' Statistics show Madrid have had 72% of possession, yet the only stat that matters is that Levante lead 1-0.
    • 31' It was the first time Levante had got bodies up to support Acquafresca in the whole match, with Pedro Rios passing inside off the right flank to Michel who fired in off Pepe. Levante have hardly crossed the halfway line!
    • 30' GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Levante (30 mins - Michel). Incredibly, Levante have taken the lead with their first real chance of the match. Michel's finish looked to get a deflection off Pepe on its way in.
    • 29' Considering how much influence Modric has had in this game so far it's hard to believe he was named La Liga's worst signing of the season in a newspaper poll earlier this season.
    • 28' Benzema smashes a shot from 16 yards against Vyntra when he appeared to have options left and right of him. Kaka is telling him exactly that.
    • 27' Vyntra wins the header from the deep corner but Acquafresca is offside in trying to get a touch at the back post. Unlike the Higuain call, this one looks to be a correct one.
    • 26' Ruben Garcia puts some pressure on Pepe in his own box and the centre back is forced to conceded a corner.
    • 25' The ball is lumped up to Acquafresca but he can't hold on to it and Madrid regain possession. That's the pattern this game has followed so far.
    • 24' On second looks it appears that Juanfran was actually in line with Higuain for that offside call from the corner a few minutes ago. Harsh call on Madrid.
    • 23' Madrid are still seeing the vast majority of possession, with Levante not even looking particularly dangerous on the counter! This can't be the strategy.
    • 22' Kaka's corner is headed towards goal by Ramos but Higuain is flagged offside after taking a touch at the back post.
    • 21' Marcelo plays Kaka in down the left and the Brazilian earns his side a corner off Lell.
    • 20' Madrid have had a number of efforts on goal in the opening 20 minutes but they've been largely wasteful.
    • 18' Ramos breaks forward for Madrid, playing a pas out to Callejon with the outside of his right foot, but Callejon shoots over and wide.
    • 17' Kaka has started brightly for Madrid here, but he should've done better with that effort. Levante can't give him that sort of space again.
    • 16' Arbeloa plays through Kaka 20 yards, and after the Levante defence opens up for the Brazlian, he shots on goal but Munua saves well! Best chance of the game so far.
    • 15' Michel gets down the right wing and plays a good ball into Ruben Garcia but Arbeloa heads away for a corner. The resulting set piece is claimed in the air by Lopez.
    • 14' Now it's Benzema's turn for a shot on goal but from 20 yards he drags his shot past the post.
    • 13' Kaka jinks through a couple of Levante challenges before passing to Higuain, but the striker fires wildly over the bar.
    • 12' Madrid's backline is camped almost permanently on the halfway line. This is a high risk game Levante are playing, assuming this is a strategy of course!
    • 11' Xabi Alonso has a freekick in a good position 35 yards out but he can't get his delivery past the first man. Expect better from him.
    • 10' The theory goes that Real struggle to break down sides that sit in deep against them. That theory will be tested today, as Levante look to be allowing Madrid plenty of the ball.
    • 8' Kaka tries an audacious chip through to Higuain but Vyntra gets his head in the way, only for Callejon to rattle a volleyed cross into Higuain but he's adjudged to be offside.
    • 7' Kaka whips a deep cross into the danger area, finding Benzema on the other wing but the Frenchman can't control it and it trickles out for a goal kick.
    • 6' Will be interesting to see how Madrid's attacking players, particularly Higuain and Benzema, link up without Ronaldo on the pitch.
    • 5' Besides Acquafresca's shot Madrid have, as expected, taken control of this game early on. Modric has seen plenty of the ball.
    • 4' Looks like Levante are keeping Acquafresca up front on his own as something of an isolated attacking presence. Will he have enough to feed on this afternoon?
    • 3' Acquafresca has Levante's first effort on goal, forcing Lopez to tip round the post. That was creeping in!
    • 2' Marcelo has the first effort of the game, cutting inside on his right foot but slices his effort and it ends up nearer the corner flag than the goal.
    • 1' Higuain and Benzema get the game under way.
    • 17:00 UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is on the Bernabeu pitch and in a rather peculiar ceremony, he kicks off the game. Only for the ball to be retrieved and the real kick-off to take place.
    • 16:58 I think we can expect plenty cutaways of Iker Casillas and Ronaldo on the bench. We've had two already!
    • 16:57 The Real Madrid and Levante players are slowly filtering from the dressing rooms and into the tunnel.
    • 16:55 It's unusual to see Mourinho playing both Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema. It's only the second time this season they've played together.
    • 16:50 Ten minutes until kick-off in Madrid. With Levante slap bang mid-table (10th) and Real Madrid 13 points behind Barcelona at the top hopefully we'll see som creative freedom this afternoon.
    • 16:45 Real Madrid go into this match on a 38 unbeaten streak at the Bernabeu. Of those 38 games they've won 31. Quite a record!
    • 16:40 Big news in the team line-ups is that Cristiano Ronaldo is on the bench for Real Madrid. Looks like Jose Mourinho has opted for as conventional a 4-4-2 you'll see in Spain.
    • 16:35 TEAM NEWS: Real Madrid - Lopez; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Modric, Kaka, Callejon; Higuain, Benzema. /// Levante - Munua; Lell, Vyntra, Ballesteros, Juanfran; Diop, Iborra, Pedro Rios, Ruben Garcia, Michel; Acquafresca.
    • 16:30 Good afternoon everyone! Welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish league clash between Real Madrid and Levante. I'm Graham Ruthven and you can contact me on Twitter (@grahamruthven) to let me know what you're thinking ahead of kick-off at 17:00.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Real Madrid

    Manager: José Mourinho

  • Levante UD

    Manager: Juan Ignacio Martínez

Real Madrid’s last 5 results

View all Real Madrid results »

Levante UD’s last 5 results

View all Levante UD results »

Related links

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. Kaka had a fantastic game.

    From Didasio, on Sat 6 Apr 19:13

  2. Levante were embarrassing tonight. They just set up not­ to lose,didn't even try to pressure Real. Ozil is­ pure class and Ronaldo is still a diving fool.

    From Stuart, on Sat 6 Apr 18:59

  3. bien jouer real madrid

    From Akram, on Sat 6 Apr 18:20

  4. one man team vs levante

    From Temitope, on Sat 6 Apr 18:14

  5. i need Ronaldo

    From sanga, on Sat 6 Apr 18:02

  6. What Real Madrid need now is a win, a perfomance can­ come later. although it is difficult to assume that­ they will be able to overcome Barcelona, at least­ reducing the points gap is very vital for 'The Only­ One'. Levante are doomed for a bitter second half,­ once the gaffer brings in subs.

    From Deus, on Sat 6 Apr 18:01

  7. You take ronaldo out of that team and it will win­ nothing at all ever.

    From ROBERT, on Sat 6 Apr 17:54

  8. "It was the first time Levante had gotten bodies­ up..." SO in ENGLISH, you mean "It was the­ first time Levante got bodies up..." ???? ­ 'had gotten' - that's NOT english

    From martin, on Sat 6 Apr 17:40
  9. Comment hidden due to spam. Show

    ...game at watçhlivefootystream...

    From Watchlivefootystream, on Sat 6 Apr 17:07

  10. COME ON REAL MADRID!!

    From Luka, on Sat 6 Apr 16:38

  11. REAL M. - LEVANTE 3:2

    From Luka, on Sat 6 Apr 16:37
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