Real Madrid 0-1 Levante

[Trim]

Primera Liga Report: Levante Humiliate Poor Madrid

A first half penalty from former Pichichi Salva Ballesta saw Levante Real Madrid 1-0 at the Bernabeu, and heap more misery on the embattled Los Merengues...

Kapo put in a superb run up the right, and slipped the ball through to Tomassi, but the Italian was brought down by a clumsy Diarra. The referee had little choice but to point to the spot.

Ballesta, just brought in on loan from Malaga for the rest of the season, showed that he still had the temperament for the big game, as he withstood tremendous pressure at the Bernabeu and tucked away a 10th minute penalty.

It was a goal that proved to be the winner, but not before Levante had to produced a brave defensive display to fend off Real Madrid's attack, which was toothless for most of the game.

Raul just overran Higuain's pass in the 25th minute, and Van Nistlerooy blasted one over the bar in the 37th, but that was as close as they would come in the first half.

It was a slow start to the second half again, with Madrid looking woefully inept in attack, despite shading possession. They only turned it on during the final quarter - with Van Nistelrooy and Raul both coming close - but it was too little too late.

Levante had found inspiration from the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, and hung on amidst a flurry of bookings to pick up three points.

The Bernabeu faithful responded to the result by booing the team off the pitch, with Capello - and even president Ramon Calderon - coming in for criticism. The white handkerchiefs were out in numbers, and there should be more on that through the week.

Real Madrid: Casillas - Salgado, Helguera, Ramos, Torres - Higuain, Diarra, Guti, Reyes (Robinho, Nieto) - Raul, Van Nistelrooy.

Levante: Molina - Maluolo, Dehu, Alexis, Rubiales - Riga, Tomassi, Camacho, (Robert) Ettien, Kapo (Berson) - Salva Ballesta (Reggi).

Goals: 0-1: Salva Ballesta (10', pen.)

[Trim]

Real Madrid confirming their crisis once again, loosing against a poor side like Levante, and what's more, loosing in their home.

[Trim]

After echoing his coach's words on the referee, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas admitted that the attack seemed to be lacking in "bright ideas."

"In the second half, we had a lot of possession, and a bunch of chances," said Casillas after the game. "We were unable to draw because of ourselves, but because of the referee too.

"We cannot give away these many points at home with the League as tight as it is.

"We didn't have bright ideas and speed up front, but we have to keep on fighting. At the back, there's a lot of order, and we don't concede goals.

Understanding the fact that fans were upset, he still made a plea for their support in the face of adversity: "The people are entitled to think whatever they want to after this, but they also need to trust their team, and believe that we can do what is expected of us. We need the support of the fans.

"We had some chances but we didn't convert them. We're upset, but we'll keep on fighting, although I have to say that there were some really controversial calls.

"The League is still very tight at the top, so we need to keep believing. There are many games ahead of us, but it really bothers me that we've lost so many points at home."

Real Madrid were handed a lifeline of sorts with Sevilla and Barcelona were both being held to scoreless draws, but they still dropped into fourth place behind a charging Valencia.

Goal.com - We Lacked Ideas Up Front - Casillas

[Trim]

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello refused to fault Real Madrid's display, and chose, instead, to bring the referee in for an 'honourable' mention. He then went on to take responsibility for the defeat, but quickly insisted that it could have been different had his players taken their chances.

Real Madrid lacked penetration for much of the game, and when they did break through Levante, were uncharacteristically clumsy in front of goal. However, Capello insisted that the 1-0 defeat to Levante was bad only as a result.

"As a result, it is very negative, but in terms of effort I cannot say much to my players," he told the press after the game.

"They don't understand why a referee would come to the Bernabeu and officiate the game as horribly as he did."

Asked whom he would blame, he responded: "I think that it is always the coach, because he's the one that ultimately makes the calls.


"But then again, we had five very clear scoring opportunities during the match, for Raúl, Higuaín and Van Nistelrooy."

After more than a few boos from the Bernabeu, the press were in no mood to make it any easier for the Italian, and posed the question of resignation.

"No, I want to see my contract through," he said. "But the crowd's criticism [the jeers, and the white handkerchiefs] is completely fair. I've always said that I am convinced that we will win something this year. I thank our diehard ultras because they have helped us out and offered their support.

"We try to do our job well. We had five very clear chances. But that's how football is. Teams come here, they sit real deep, all the way in the back, and then they get a penalty awarded. You can lose with an action of this sort, like we did today."

Asked if he thought he had failed, he reponded: "No. We're there in the League and very much alive in the Champions League."

Goal.com - Capello Blames The Ref, Then Forwards

[kennethlindheim]

The Real Madrid fans are already calling for Capellos head...

[JD]

how are levante doing so badly?
I know the small clubs raise their game v rM & barca
but they have so much quality: tommassi, kapo, salva and dehu are all established good players, ettien always impresses me as well

liked the look of lopez nieto , first time I've seen him

[Pennywise]

Originally Posted by JD

how are levante doing so badly?
I know the small clubs raise their game v rM & barca
but they have so much quality: tommassi, kapo, salva and dehu are all established good players, ettien always impresses me as well

liked the look of lopez nieto , first time I've seen him

So many great teams in La Liga..

Levante have a good squad and a good team, but there are plenty of good clubs in the league. Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Deportivo La Coruna, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Villarreal, etc..

Funny with La Liga is that the teams in the other end can win against the big guns at their cave.

[JD]

your tip for the league...? maybe an outsider?

[Pennywise]

Madrid will have big problems to finish top four and take a place in next seasons CL.

Sevilla, Barcelona, Valencia, Atletico Madrid are better teams atm. Real Zaragoza and Villarreal maybe too..