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Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Mar 15, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Levante logo

2-0

Bale (18', 40')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 2-0 Levante

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during Real Madrid's 2-0 La Liga win against Levante at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid returned to winning ways in La Liga with a 2-0 victory over Levante at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Both goals came from Gareth Bale, with the Welshman ending his eight-game scoring drought in the league with a first-half double. The result has moved Los Blancos to within one point of the league leaders Barcelona, while Levante remain 18th.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed.


Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) celebrates a goal with teammate Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (2nd L) during the Spanish league football match on March 15, 2015© Getty Images

REAL MADRID

Goal

Keylor Navas: Did not have a single save to make, but was a little slow off his line and unsure from crosses. Suffering from a lack of first-team football this season. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Carvajal: Did not offer too much in the final third of the field, but was nice and solid at the back. Decent display, but not much more than that from the Spaniard. (6/10)

Pepe: Looked much more comfortable back alongside Sergio Ramos. Was not overly tested for long spells, but was excellent in possession and strong when needed. (7/10)

Sergio Ramos: His return from injury has come at the perfect time for Real Madrid. Brings an aerial presence at both ends of the field. Only blot on his performance was a late booking. (7/10)

Marcelo: Usually such a threat in the final third, but that was not really the case here. Got forward on a couple of occasions, but it was not one of the Brazilian's better games. (6/10)

Midfield

Luka Modric: Like Ramos, has returned at a vital time for Real Madrid. Brought more of a balance to the midfield and helped control the pace of the match from a deep position. (7/10)

Isco: Just going through a drop in form at the moment. Was nice and tidy in possession of the ball, but did not create an awful lot before being replaced after 69 minutes. (6/10)

Lucas Silva: Another solid showing from the Brazilian, who has proved a shrewd signing. Took up a number of good positions and helped keep things ticking over. (7/10)

Attack

Gareth Bale: Much more like it from the Welshman, who ended his long scoring drought with a first-half double. Looked much more of a threat in the final third of the field. (8/10)

Karim Benzema: Almost scored a stunner in the second period, but saw his back-heeled volley hit the woodwork. Still not firing on all cylinders for Real Madrid. (6/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo: Had another frustrating night in Madrid. The Portuguese's body language was also not the best as he passed up a number of good opportunities. (6/10)

Substitutes

Jese Rodriguez: Had an excellent chance to score late on, but could not find a way past Marino. Really needs to be starting matches at this stage of his recovery. (6/10)

Asier Illarramendi: Looks almost certain to leave this summer, but is still being given minutes here and there. Had a fairly uneventful final 10 minutes. (5/10)

Javier Hernandez: Came close to scoring with a super header late on, but saw his effort flash just wide of the post. Always works hard despite his lack of football. (6/10)


Nabil El Zhar of Levante reacts during the La Liga match between Levante UD and RCD Espanyol at Estadio Ciutat de Valencia on October 26, 2013© Getty Images

LEVANTE

Goal

Diego Marino: Could not do much with either of Bale's goals and made a number of smart saves in the second period. Can be pleased with his performance on a personal level. (7/10)

Defence

Ivan Lopez: Did not have too many chances to break forward, but helped frustrate Ronaldo in wide areas. Was part of a Levante defence that should be credited for a decent display. (6/10)

David Navarro: Got caught out of position on a couple of occasions, but made a number of excellent clearances, especially in the second period. (6/10)

Ivan Ramis Did brilliantly to clear a Ronaldo volley off the line in the first half, but seconds later, Bale fired home. Was defensively sound for long periods of the match. (7/10)

Tono: Was given licence to push forward in the second period, while he did a good job of keeping Carvajal out of the game. Another that had a solid evening. (6/10)

Midfield

Jose Luis Morales: Never really got into the match in a wide area. Had a couple of runs in the first period, but struggled to make an impact before being replaced just before the hour. (5/10)

Victor Camarasa: Found it difficult to make his mark in the first period, but grew into the match. (6/10)

Jordi Xumetra: Also departed before the hour in what was a double change from head coach Lucas Alcaraz. Looked off the pace in a midfield area and ultimately paid the price. (5/10)

Simao Mate: Certainly not short of work rate and effort, but just lacked that bit of quality when a forward pass was needed. Will be a vital player in Levante's run-in. (6/10)

David Barral: Has had some big games for Levante this season, but this was not one of them. Has the pace to stretch teams, but was strangely not prepared to run behind. (5/10)

Attack

Kalu Uche: Put in plenty of effort, but simply lacked any real service. Looked exhausted when he was replaced by Victor Casadesus for the final 15 minutes. (5/10)

Substitutes

Ruben Garcia: Showed some nice touches in the final third, but needed more support. (5/10)

Nabil El Zhar: Had a stunning chance to register late on, but fired high and wide of the crossbar from close range. Certainly made Levante more dangerous in the final third. (6/10)

Victor Casadesus: Came on for the final 15 minutes, but did not complete the match, with a hamstring injury forcing Levante to finish with 10 men. (5/10)


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Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) celebrates a goal with teammate Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (2nd L) during the Spanish league football match on March 15, 2015
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Match Analysis: Real Madrid 2-0 Levante
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