{"id":15000,"date":"2026-01-17T17:04:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T17:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/real-madrid-2-0-levante\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T17:04:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T17:04:33","slug":"real-madrid-2-0-levante","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/real-madrid-2-0-levante\/","title":{"rendered":"Three questions and three answers from Real Madrid 2-0 Levante &#8211; Managing Madrid"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h2>Lead<\/h2>\n<p>On Saturday at the Estadio Santiago Bernab\u00e9u Real Madrid edged past 19th-placed Levante 2-0, with Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 converting a 58th-minute penalty and Ra\u00fal Asencio heading home from a corner seven minutes later. The victory ended a difficult run and provided three points for \u00c1lvaro Arbeloa\u2019s first game in charge at the Bernab\u00e9u, but it did not placate a restless crowd. Fans repeatedly voiced discontent during the match \u2014 whistles, handkerchiefs and banners were seen \u2014 and criticism continued after the final whistle. The result stabilises the immediate situation but leaves several tactical and off-field questions unanswered.<\/p>\n<h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0 at the Santiago Bernab\u00e9u on Saturday, with goals from Mbapp\u00e9 (58&#8242; pen) and Ra\u00fal Asencio (65&#8242; header).<\/li>\n<li>Mbapp\u00e9 started after pre-match uncertainty and completed the match\u2019s only penalty; he led the team in completed dribbles and created two chances despite not appearing at full pace.<\/li>\n<li>Fan unrest continued: protests at Valdebebas and in the stadium included banners calling for president Florentino P\u00e9rez\u2019s resignation and audible whistles during the match.<\/li>\n<li>\u00c1lvaro Arbeloa made proactive halftime changes, withdrawing Gonzalo Garc\u00eda and Eduardo Camavinga and later introducing Arda G\u00fcler to chase the game.<\/li>\n<li>Real Madrid\u2019s first-half expected goals (xG) were 0.29 versus Levante\u2019s 0.63, with much of the improvement coming after the break.<\/li>\n<li>Levante remain 19th and have lost 11 of their 19 league games so far this season, making this a favourable but limited test for Los Blancos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>Real Madrid arrived at this fixture amid visible internal turmoil: exits from two competitions within four days, a coaching change and growing fan frustration had created pressure on the club hierarchy and squad. Reports and images circulated on Thursday showing banners at Valdebebas calling for Florentino P\u00e9rez\u2019s resignation; the mood carried into the stadium, where chants and symbolic white handkerchiefs were displayed at half-time. Injuries also limited Arbeloa\u2019s options \u2014 Antonio R\u00fcdiger and Rodrygo remained absent \u2014 reducing the coach\u2019s margin for tactical experimentation.<\/p>\n<p>Levante entered the game propping up the table, with 11 defeats in 19 matches this season, but they represented a counter-attacking danger that tested Real Madrid\u2019s organisation. The broader context was a squad in transition, a succession of inconsistent performances and a fanbase increasingly willing to express discontent publicly. With important Champions League fixtures coming in the next 10 days, the match carried implications beyond three league points.<\/p>\n<h2>Main event<\/h2>\n<p>The only clear openings arrived after the break. In the 58th minute \u00c1lvaro Arbeloa\u2019s side won a spot-kick that Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 calmly converted to break the deadlock, marking the opening goal at the Bernab\u00e9u. Seven minutes later Ra\u00fal Asencio, marking his second consecutive game with a goal at the Bernab\u00e9u, met a corner with a powerful header to double the lead and effectively seal the victory. Both goals came from set-piece scenarios rather than prolonged dominance in open play.<\/p>\n<p>Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s participation carried pre-match uncertainty: L&#8217;\u00c9quipe had reported he would not be involved, but Arbeloa confirmed he would be in the squad and the forward ultimately started. There was concern in the warm-up when Dean Huijsen challenged Mbapp\u00e9 in a rondo and the Frenchman received treatment for several minutes, yet he returned to feature and converted the decisive penalty. Observers noted Mbapp\u00e9 lacked some of his usual explosive bursts but still contributed with dribbles and chance creation.<\/p>\n<p>Fan reaction framed much of the match narrative. Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior, Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde and Dean Huijsen received loud whistles from sections of the crowd; footage also showed Vin\u00edcius visibly emotional in the tunnel before kickoff. A speculative, wide effort in injury time drew contrasting responses \u2014 whistles from some, applause from others \u2014 and the protests in the stands continued after full-time, signalling that three points did not extinguish wider dissatisfaction.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &amp; implications<\/h2>\n<p>The victory provides short-term relief but does not resolve structural concerns. Real Madrid\u2019s inability to generate meaningful xG in open play during the first half (0.29) underlines creative and positional problems, particularly with Gonzalo Garc\u00eda shuffled to the right wing and much play still channelled down the left. Arbeloa\u2019s halftime adjustments and later attacking substitutions showed tactical willingness to change course, but sustained offensive fluency remains a work in progress.<\/p>\n<p>Pressure on the club presidency has become tangible; banners at training ground facilities and chants inside the Bernab\u00e9u demonstrate a degree of organised dissent. While the win reduces immediate heat, a difficult run of fixtures \u2014 including ties against Monaco, Benfica and a league trip to Villarreal in the coming days \u2014 means further slip-ups could intensify calls for executive accountability. The next results will be decisive for both sporting and political narratives around the club.<\/p>\n<p>Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s fitness and rhythm are a secondary but vital storyline. He showed moments of quality despite earlier treatment in the warm-up and a lack of top speed, converting the penalty and producing the most completed dribbles on the pitch. If his mobility and sharpness return, Real Madrid\u2019s threat from transitions and individual moments will rise, but the team must also improve its collective patterns to avoid over-reliance on individual brilliance.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &amp; data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Metric<\/th>\n<th>Real Madrid<\/th>\n<th>Levante<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>First-half xG<\/td>\n<td>0.29<\/td>\n<td>0.63<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Goals (full time)<\/td>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Season defeats<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<td>11 of 19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table highlights how Levante were more threatening in the opening 45 minutes by xG measures, while Real Madrid improved after the break and converted two set-piece situations. Levante\u2019s season record (11 losses in 19) contextualises their standing: they remain vulnerable overall, but their counter-attacking moments exposed Real Madrid\u2019s defensive gaps. For Arbeloa, the data suggests that better tempo and chance construction in early phases will be essential against stronger opponents.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &amp; quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;He will be in the squad,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>\u00c1lvaro Arbeloa (pre-match confirmation)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Arbeloa\u2019s simple confirmation that Mbapp\u00e9 would be included closed the brief pre-match uncertainty reported elsewhere and set the stage for the striker\u2019s start. The remark was widely circulated as media outlets sought clarity on Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s availability.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Florentino, game over&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Banner displayed at Valdebebas \/ Fans<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>That phrase \u2014 seen on banners at the training complex and echoed in chants inside the stadium \u2014 crystallised the political element of fan discontent. It became a visible symbol of protest across Thursday and matchday.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Mbapp\u00e9 wouldn&#8217;t be involved,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>L&#8217;\u00c9quipe (pre-match report)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>L&#8217;\u00c9quipe\u2019s early report that Mbapp\u00e9 would not take part created a brief narrative tension that Arbeloa and the club then had to manage, illustrating how quickly information and uncertainty can affect matchday storylines.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer \u2014 xG, rondos and fan protests<\/summary>\n<p>Expected goals (xG) quantify the likelihood that a given shot will result in a goal based on location and situation; a higher xG generally indicates more or better chances created. A rondo is a training drill focused on quick passing and pressure; accidental tackles there can raise pre-match fitness concerns. White handkerchiefs and coordinated whistles are common protest tools among Spanish supporters to signal dissatisfaction with management or results without resorting to chants alone.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Reports that certain season-ticket holders were threatened with expulsion from sections if they protested remain unverified by the club; independent confirmation is lacking.<\/li>\n<li>Details about internal disciplinary steps against the club\u2019s Grade Fans group and any sanctioned discounts have not been published officially and require confirmation.<\/li>\n<li>Any direct private discussions between senior club executives about immediate managerial changes following the match have not been disclosed publicly and are unconfirmed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>Real Madrid\u2019s 2-0 victory over Levante delivered three important points and a measure of breathing room, but the match did not answer deeper questions about cohesion, chance creation and the club\u2019s internal climate. Set-piece efficiency and a penalty provided a simple route to victory; consistent dominance from open play remains absent in many phases. For Arbeloa the result is a positive start, showing tactical pragmatism, but sustained improvement will be necessary against upcoming opponents.<\/p>\n<p>Off the field, visible protests and organised banners mean the club\u2019s leadership cannot treat the situation as settled. The next 10 days of fixtures will be revealing: positive results could calm tensions, while poor outcomes would likely amplify scrutiny on both sporting and executive levels. Supporters and the club alike will watch those matches closely for indications of whether this win was a turning point or a temporary reprieve.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.managingmadrid.com\/real-madrid-cf-la-liga\/102958\/three-questions-and-three-answers-from-real-madrid-2-0-levante\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Managing Madrid \u2014 Match report and analysis (media)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lequipe.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">L&#8217;\u00c9quipe \u2014 Pre-match reporting (media)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead On Saturday at the Estadio Santiago Bernab\u00e9u Real Madrid edged past 19th-placed Levante 2-0, with Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 converting a 58th-minute penalty and Ra\u00fal Asencio heading home from a corner seven minutes later. The victory ended a difficult run and provided three points for \u00c1lvaro Arbeloa\u2019s first game in charge at the Bernab\u00e9u, but it &#8230; <a title=\"Three questions and three answers from Real Madrid 2-0 Levante &#8211; Managing Madrid\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/real-madrid-2-0-levante\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Three questions and three answers from Real Madrid 2-0 Levante &#8211; Managing Madrid\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Three questions after Real Madrid 2-0 Levante | Managing Madrid","rank_math_description":"Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0 at the Bernab\u00e9u as Mbapp\u00e9 and Ra\u00fal Asencio decided the match, but fan protests and tactical questions mean the victory offers only partial relief.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"real madrid,levante,mbapp\u00e9,arbeloa,bernabeu,protests","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15000"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15000\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}