Player Ratings: Levante 4 - 0 Real Madrid Femenino; Primera Iberdrola

Real Madrid Femenino kicked off their domestic season against direct rivals for the UWCL spots - Levante. It couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start (well it could’ve but let bygones be bygones). The game ended 4-0 in Levante’s favor and Madrid were just second best in every aspect of the game.

Real Madrid made 3 changes to the lineup after the game against City, as Babett, Kenti and Kaci were replaced by Rocío, Corredera and Zornoza. Madrid maintained a 442 shape off the ball but there was no vertical compactness and Levante found it way too easy to exploit. Madrid didn’t pose any real danger going forwards either. Pretty forgetful performance.

Madrid would be hoping to put this performance behind them quickly as the return leg against Manchester City in the UWCL qualifiers looms over them.

Player Ratings

Misa - 4/10

She wasn’t at major faults for the goals conceded but didn’t have a good game by any means. She almost caused a cheap giveaway in the 73rd min after playing a tame pass to Kenti, who was under immediate pressure, while being off her line.

Lucía Rodríguez - 3.5/10

It was a poor showing from the youngster filling in for Kenti at RB. The ex-Tacon player found it hard to carry the ball forwards and surrendered possession often. There were mishit passes, poor touches all around. The understanding between Athenea and Lucía Rodríguez wasn’t there on the pitch either, with the duo struggling to find one another and make good supporting runs. Levante heavily targeted attacks via their left and were successful very often.

Ivana Andrés - 6.5/10

How often do we see a team concede 4 goals & the CB be arguably the best performer on the pitch. Ivana led the backline once again and had some really good moments. She stepped out of her line and closed down opponents really well, her passing to find runners in behind were threatening and her ball carrying to move us forwards was also among the few things that went right for Madrid in this game. Her last ditch efforts kept the lid on Levante from scoring their second in the first half. Had some off touches after Madrid were down 3-0.

Rocío Galvez - 4/10

Rocío covered the ground well and her recovery runs were good in the first half but things went downhill in the second half. She was caught sleeping for the second goal and was asked to cover too much ground at times. Was beaten for the 4th goal before the shot was taken.

Olga Carmona - 5/10

Olga as always tried to influence the game with her speed and ball carrying ability but all in vain. She did make some recovery runs to stop an attack in the 2nd half and tried her luck from range towards the end of the game but the shot was turned over. She made some good supporting runs.

Teresa Abelleira - 4.5/10

Madrid fielding 2 midfielders who both love to join attack meant there was extra strain on both of them to fill up defensively — a task neither of the midfielders could do well. This also meant that at times neither knew which spaces to occupy which meant the attack and midfield were disjointed and Madrid looked very vulnerable on transitions.

Claudia Zornoza - 4.5/10

Zornoza had quite a bad game. The former Levante player looked very lost at moments and gave away possession cheaply. Her defensive awareness wasn’t goodr. She did try odd balls over the top but none found it’s intended target. She had a shot on target from a set-piece which was Madrid’s one of the few chances.

Marta Corredera - 4/10

Fielded at LW again — a position that doesn’t help any of her attributes and limits her from having any impact — Corredera had a forgetful game. She was very wasteful in possession and lost the ball frequently.

Athenea del Castillo - 5/10

Athenea did what she does best, run at defences. She took on defenders on multiple occasions but was denied space quite well more often than not.

Nahikari - 5/10

Neither of the two forwards had much impact on the proceedings, Nahikari was largely anonymous. She had some good flashes where she’d drop deep or drift wide to try and link up play but ultimately there were heavy touches and turnovers sprinkled all over. She has been asked to play the facilitator in the two games this season and it hasn’t really looked promising.

Esther - 5.5/10

Esther did try stuff, taking on players and had one of the few chances for Madrid to score goals which she managed to manifest herself after receiving the ball on the left. She was okay in playing with her back to goal but sometimes did a little too much and lost possession.

Substitutes

Kenti Robles - 4/10

Brought on to replace Lucía Rodríguez, who had a really rough game, things didn’t really improve all that much. One thing that did look better relatively were the supporting runs. She gave away possession as well at times putting the team at risk, defensively things didn’t look better even after the Mexican’s introduction.

Kaci - 4/10

Kaci’s arrival meant both Teresa and Zornoza could venture forward with reduced defensive duties, as she filled in at the base of the midfield.

Caroline Møller Hansen - 5/10

Coming on to replace Nahikari in the 66th min, Moller had a decent showing, making good runs in behind and dragging players but ultimately she wasn’t always picked out. Had a flick or two to combine with her teammates.

Lorena - 4.5/10

Came on in the 75th min to replace Athenea and had a bright moment right after coming on. She was moving around and trying to help manipulate spaces and get out of tight spaces.

Babett Peter - 4/10

Came on for Teresa in the 75th min and immediately got pulled out of position resulting in Levante’s third goal. Real Madrid moved to a back 3 after her introduction and seemed like that opened even more spaces, partly down to game state as well.

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