Real get to the point

Posted Monday, March 16, 2015 by Marca.com

Two goals by Gareth Bale, who hadn't scored for nine games on the run, handed 'Los Blancos' a much-needed victory against Levante. Ancelotti's men now go into 'El Clasico' just a point behind Barcelona.

All that was needed was half an hour of magic to change the boos to cheers, thanks to great teamwork and two goals scored against a clearly inferior Levante.

Real Madrid were the living picture of a team that had picked themselves up off the floor following recent calamities, dusted themselves down and put on a decent show of themselves ahead of the decisive game at the Camp Nou. Attitude, sacrifice, sublime ballwork, pressing for the ball – Real had the lot. The same qualities that were so sadly lacking in a team in the depths of an identity crisis, but that seem to have come back in the nick of time ahead of 'El Clásico'.

Levante really had nothing to do all evening. The Real Madrid team that allowed Villarreal and Schalke 04 to take control of the game, showing up the many weaknesses that Ancelotti's team possessed, was nowhere to be seen. With Sergio Ramos keeping it tight at the back and Modric bossing the midfield, Real were lords and masters of the match.

Further great news for Ancelotti was that Bale, after nine games out in the wilderness, found his scoring boots. A scissor kick from Ronaldo that Navarro cleared on the line went straight to the Welshman, who volleyed it home into the top of the net. 1-0 on the 18th minute.

Five minutes before the break, Carvajal served up a clever pass back to Ronaldo who was unmarked. The Portuguese's shot went in after a deflection of Bale, but he celebrated it as if it were his own. Bale, meanwhile, chose not to celebrate his second out of respect for his teammate. All in all, a solid day's work by 'Los Blancos'.