After a disappointing exit from Copa del Rey against second division team Albacete, Real Madrid are back and with a 2 – 0 win against Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. This fixture, valid for matchday 20 of LaLiga, was the first test for Alvaro Arbeloa in front of the home crowd.
The win was fundamental for Los Blancos, who now are just one point behind league leaders Barcellona. But not just that, after losing the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia and being excluded from the Copa del Rey, this is what Arbeloa’s men needed to boost their confidence.
In LaLiga though Real Madrid is in excellent form, they have won five of their last six matches, four of them at home, showing how much they feel comfortable at the Bernabeu and how important the home crowd is.
On the other side of the pitch, Levante fights to save itself from relegation. The Granotes are penultimate on the ligue table, with just 17 points. Their latest games showed a good momentum, with the last match being a draw against Espanyol.
The last time that Real Madrid and Levante faced each other it was September 2025, in Valencia. Xabi Alonso was the coach at the time and his men managed to score 4 goals against an absent Levante. Vinicius Jr, Mastantuono and Mbappè were the ones to make the win possible.
The home team is unbeaten in the last three games against Levante. The last time that the Granotes claimed a win against Los Blancos it was January 2021 at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
The first half of matchday 20 of this season was pretty much eventless. The initial 45 minutes were discouraging for both teams, they were struggling and rarely looked threatening.
The second half was a whole other story, specifically for the home side. Arbeloa was able to change the course of the game with two key substitutions: Guler and Mastantuono for Camavinga and Gonzalo.
Guler put himself in the game instantly, putting pressure on the visitors.
The turning point came when Mbappè wins a penalty and Real Madrid took the lead. This is what Real Madrid needed to get in the game.
One goal was not enough for Arbeloa’s team. Just seven minutes after it’s Asencio who makes it double. From a Guler’s corner he powered the ball into the net.
Levante was never in the game. Once Madrid started to create high intensity actions they couldn’t keep up. Ryan, the goalkeeper was crucial for the Granotes, with his nine essential saves he kept Real Madrid from scoring way more goals.
Real Madrid is back and stronger to fight for the ligue title. Meanwhile Levante needs to understand what is wrong, to avoid relegation LaLiga 2.
Los Blancos after this win in LaLiga needs to do the same in the Champions League next Tuesday. Arbeloa meets Pocognoli and his Monaco. Real Madrid needs to strengthen its position in the top 8 to be able to automatically qualify to the next round of the competition. Monaco instead is eager to win to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Levante doesn’t have any European appointments. Its next fixture in LaLiga is scheduled for the 23rd of January against 9th position Elche.
