Real Madrid Vs. Levante, La Liga 2012 Match Recap: Cristiano Scores Three, Gives Real Madrid the Win
by Lucas Navarrete on Feb 13, 2012 12:17 AM CET
in Real Madrid CF: Liga BBVA
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Higuaín, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema had some very good goal-scoring chances, but Munua and Levante's defense managed to keep Madrid scoreless until Victor Iborra controlled the ball with his hands inside the box and referee Undiano Mallenco called a penalty-kick. Iborra saw a yellow card after he tackled Karim Benzema, so he was sent off, and Cristiano Ronaldo tied the game up from the penalty spot.
The halftime arrived with the score tied at one. Levante's coach Juan Ignacio Martínez substituted Nabil El Zhar and decided to play Miguel Pallardó in Levante's midfield to make up for Iborra's red card.
Only five minutes had passed when Higuaín won the ball and crossed it over to Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese player went after the ball and scored his second goal of the game. The game was already in Real Madrid's hands and seven minutes later the current "Golden Boot" scored what was arguably one of his best goals in Real Madrid's uniform.
The defensive transition, however, was not very efficient. This is something the team must improve upon when Granero and Xabi Alonso play in the midfield, since they are not known for their defensive effort and quickness. When Khedira or Lass play, Real Madrid's rivals are unable to go on the offensive this often. Khedira's recovery might be key for the rest of the season due to Real Madrid's current lack of midfielders.
Arouna Koné was able to score Levante's second goal off of one of these counter attacks. Ramos and Pepe need to work on aerial crosses because Real Madrid earns most of their goals this way.
Luckily enough for Real Madrid, Karim Benzema scored Real Madrid's fourth goal three minutes later after a great curve shot. Munua couldn't do a single thing to stop Benzema's shot, and Levante started to miss some easy chances.
Callejón, Khedira and Kaka joined the game for Higuaín, Granero and Özil, respectively. Nuri Sahin didn't have the chance to play this game, but Real Madrid might need him sooner rather than later--and if so, the Turkish player should be ready to deliver. Di María and Marcelo will likely come back from their injuries for the next game against Racing Santander, and they will also be very important during the Champions League's leg against CSKA Moscow, which begins next week.
Real Madrid is now ten points ahead of FC Barcelona in la Liga, and as Jose Mourinho pointed out, 13 more wins will seal the title for the merengues.
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I want EL PASILLO when they visit Camp Nou.
I think they need to win out and Farca to draw two or lose one for it to happen.
10 Points! So happy and proud of this team right now. ;D
a wonderful good morning
Its so great to wake up and see the good guys leading farca by 10 points
by Madridistainnanyang on Feb 13, 2012 12:38 AM CET reply actions
Relax
Wasn’t it great to see the joy of Ronaldo in Mourinho’s arms.. shows the media that this team is united. Look at all the hugs and touches when someone needs support?
Team played well mostly but the early goals are a worry and need to be addressed. Coentrao was solid with some good tackles, Ronaldo was awesome today, Ozil solid but that miss in front of goal… wow! Benzema was industrious with a good goal, RM also need to shoot a bit more when near goal because teams that park the bus are awfully hard to break down and thread passes through ( aka Barcelona) With Di Maria back we are looking good but where oh where is Sahin?
Ozil was quiet
Still prefer Ozil Kaka combo instead of Hig Benz. Much more space to operate.
Thought Higuain and Benzema together were poor
Just not enough space on the pitch for both of them plus Ronaldo. They do much better in a free flowing game tbh
So glad Lass didn’t start tonight as he would have been worthless. Granero did a good job of pinging the ball around and I enjoyed watching him and Xabi work together
While it is nice to see Pepe and Ramos play together, Madrid needs to work on building their third CB for when Pepe or Ramos get inevitably banned. Don’t care who, but Varane, Albiol, or Carvalho need to get some minutes
Finally, Hala Madrid and A10
Ozil, Benzema, Granero, CR7 (obviously) my stand-outs.
Thought Ozil and Granero had brilliant first halves laying siege to the defence. Not their fault if the forwards can’t finish the chances they created in an opposition box stuffed with 8 defenders. Ozil in particular was brilliant – and his passing continued to be good until he was switched off. Very good game from both of them.
CR7’s strike was out of this world. Out of nothing. It’s also his 13th hat-trick for Real, the 4000th Madrid goal in the Bernabeu, and it means he’s scored more goals for Madrid than he did for Manchester.
Benzema’s first goal should have stood and he should have got his brace.
As pleased as I am with Granero in attack, I am so relieved Khedira was given a chance to play a few minutes and get his legs back. Alonso has been very poor lately and he needs Khedira next to him to play at his best. Khedira does the transition from attack to defence better than any other player and makes space for Alonso and Ozil to operate in. He’s been missed lately. Hopefully now he’s back we’ll stop conceding in the opening minutes in every game.
All things considered, it was a good line-up choice from Mourinho.
And one musn’t foret: that lovely assist from Sergio Ramos for Levante’s first ;) I think the lads should work on their set-piece defending. I’m sure Mourinho knows that better than I do though.
I left out Higuain
I’m not sold on him and Benzema at the same time – but his work-rate was impeccable.
In general – all the forward players did really well. And do I hear correctly? 75% possession?
Prefer Ozil-Kaka instead of Benz-Hig
Ozil wasn’t nearly as good as he has been lately. Not enough space with Benzema, Higuain, and Ronaldo all on the pitch.
Madrid were in control of the match yesterday
At no time did Levante seem like they were threatening us, our first goal was inevitable and the penalty was fair and well deserved. Benzema had a perfectly leigitmate goal ruled offside and Casillias made a descive save and kept us in the game in the first half.
Second half we ran a careless riot and they got a free counter attack and converted. Overlal though Ronaldo was in super sonic mode, Benzema was swift and effective, Ozil was the maestro with some spectacular crosses and passes that were criminally wasted, Granero helped the midfield flow but he needs to be a little more deceive in his passing and his strikes need more power and accuracy.
I cant seem to understand how on earth Coentaro is worth 30 million euros, he was easily one of the worst yesterday along with Ramos.
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