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La Liga
Feb 3, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
RM

2-2

Boateng (42'), Pazzini (89')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Ramos (11'), Isco (81')

Live Commentary: Levante 2-2 Real Madrid - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Levante 2-2 Real Madrid - as it happened: ID:317891: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Levante and Real Madrid from Valencia, which ended 2-2.

Real Madrid twice threw away the lead to draw 2-2 with Levante in Saturday night's La Liga clash in Valencia.

Los Blancos entered the match looking to build on their impressive victory at Valencia last weekend, but veteran Italian forward Giampaolo Pazzini came off the bench to net a late equaliser on his Levante debut.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary of the action.

Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Valencia as Levante welcome the Spanish champions Real Madrid. The visitors will be looking to build on their impressive win at Valencia last weekend, and will fancy their chances of overcoming a side that has only won three league matches all season. It should be an open game of football. Stay tuned for the action!
Levante actually held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw when the two teams met at the Bernabeu earlier this season, but Real Madrid recorded a 3-1 victory when they last travelled to this stadium in March 2016. Los Blancos have also recently won 5-0 in this stadium (October 2014) and Zinedine Zidane's side will be confident of picking up all three points at the Ciutat de Valencia tonight.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Valencia. Both managers have had a free week to prepare for this match. Any changes from their respective matches last weekend? Let's run through the two XIs that will take to the field...
TEAMS!

LEVANTE: Oier; Coke, Rober, Postigo, Luna; Lerma, Doukoure, Morales, Lukic, Ivi; Boateng

REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale

Levante welcome Sergio Postigo back into the fold tonight after the defender missed the 2-2 draw with Deportivo La Coruna last weekend through injury. Ivi Lopez will support Emmanuel Boateng in the final third, but Enis Bardhi is only on the bench. Jason is also named among the Levante substitutes.
As for Real Madrid, head coach Zinedine Zidane has made one change from the team that started against Valencia last weekend; Sergio Ramos is back as Nacho drops to the bench. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale are the front three once again, with Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric in midfield. Marco Asensio and Isco are both on the bench for the champions.

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Valencia. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's first discuss Real Madrid. As mentioned, Zidane's side will enter the match off the back of a very impressive 4-1 victory away to third-placed Valencia in the league last weekend.
There was plenty of pressure on Zidane entering the fixture at the Mestalla, but a couple of Ronaldo penalties sent the away side on their way, before adding two more goals in the latter stages of the match. Real Madrid managed to close the gap on third-placed Valencia to two points.
The Spanish champions are still eight points off second-placed Atletico Madrid, however, and 19 behind the league leaders Barcelona. Real Madrid are not going to retain the title this season, but they will be desperate to catch capital rivals Atletico. It is not impossible, although Atletico have only lost once all season, and deserve their spot behind runaway leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid do still have a game in hand, however, following their involvement in the Club World Cup in the latter stages of 2017. They will fancy their chances of beating Levante tonight, and will then welcome Real Sociedad to the Bernabeu next weekend. After that is the small matter of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
For all Real Madrid's problems this season, Zidane's side have been strong on their travels – losing just one of their nine league fixtures. That said, they have only won one of their last five on the road. There is no question that all is not well at the club this season, and they were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes on January 24 courtesy of a 2-1 home defeat.
Levante, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-2 draw at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend. That result left the Valencia club in 17th position in the table – just two points outside of the relegation zone. They have actually only lost eight of their 21 league matches this season, but have won just three times – drawing the most in the entire division (10).
No team has won fewer La Liga matches than Levante this season, and they are without a victory in the top flight since a 2-0 success at Las Palmas on November 19. They have not won any of their last seven home league fixtures, and conceded five to Atletico when they visited on November 25.
Juan Muniz's side won the Segunda Division last season to secure a return to the top flight, but there is no question that they are in a relegation scrap at this stage of the campaign. Kickoff in Valencia is now just over five minutes away, and the atmosphere is building here!
The scenes from a little while ago here...

KICKOFF! Levante kick things off here...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. Real Madrid will be looking to start on the front foot, and they have already had a lot of the ball in the early seconds. The last thing that Levante need is to concede in the early exchanges of this fixture.
The pitch is wet tonight, and that will suit Real Madrid there is no question about that. Levante have a lot of pace in the final third though, and Boateng has already been lively early on here.
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Marcelo finds space at the far post, but the left-back misses the target. Los Blancos are the team on the front foot with six minutes on the clock here.
Possession football for Real Madrid with eight minutes on the clock. Not an awful lot from Levante in the early moments, but the visitors have only had that half-chance through Marcelo.
Boateng unleashes one from just outside the Real Madrid box, but the forward sees his effort blocked. Morales is then ruled offside after picking up the loose ball. Still goalless in Valencia.
CHANCE! Massive chance for Real Madrid as Marcelo finds himself free inside the Levante box, but the Brazilian somehow misses the target from six yards!
GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Real Madrid (Ramos)
Real Madrid take the lead in the 11th minute as Ramos rises to head a Kroos corner into the back of the net. Oier perhaps should have saved it, but Ramos's effort somehow hit the net.
BOOKING! Doukoure (Levante) is booked for a pull on Benzema.
Levante need to be really careful that they do not concede another during this stage of the match. Benzema finds Ronaldo on the edge of the box, but the Portuguese fires over the crossbar.
Coke makes good ground down the right for Levante, but Casemiro is across to make a smart challenge. Boateng, Morales and Ivi are all full of movement in the final third, and Levante have to keep plugging away in wide positions. Good atmosphere inside the stadium with 17 minutes played.
Half-chance for Ronaldo as the number seven finds space in a wide position, but he hooks over the crossbar. Levante need to be really careful as they continue to drop deeper and deeper here.
BOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Boateng.
Still goalless with 23 minutes on the clock, and not too much is happening at the moment.
The referee just needs to get hold of this match as a number of players continue to engage in little altercations. Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the Levante box as Marcelo is felled...
... Ronaldo's free kick is straight into the wall.
BOOKING! Ivi (Levante) is booked for a foul on Carvajal.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Ramos's goal is the difference between the two teams here. Real Madrid have certainly been the better team, but Levante have had some promising counter-attacks. You do get the feeling that the next goal in this match could be massive.
Some of Real Madrid's football has been extremely slick. Another exchange brings a half-chance for Benzema, but Oier is out to make a decent save. Los Blancos are pushing for a second.
Levante are chasing shadows at the moment, and there is no question that the away side will feel it in their legs in the second period. Real Madrid's passing all over the park has been very slick here.
SAVE! Oier palms a Kroos strike straight to Ronaldo, but the Levante goalkeeper manages to keep the ball out at the second time of asking. Poor handling from the stopper there.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and still Real Madrid lead 1-0.
Navas is a spectator for Real Madrid at the moment as the away side continue to dominate the ball. Boateng has been full of running for Levante, but the service into the number 21 has been poor. The home side need more than Morales and Ivi Lopez in the wide areas of the field.
Smart save from Oier to keep out a strike from Ronaldo, but the offside flag was raised.
Ivi Lopez fires over the Real Madrid crossbar from distance.
GOAL! Levante 1-1 Real Madrid (Boateng)
Levante level the scores in the 42nd minute as Boateng strokes the ball into an empty net after Navas had to come out to deny Morales. Super finish from Boateng; it was not straightforward!
Levante are ending the first period on the front foot as they force a corner following good work from Morales. Ivi delivers into the penalty box, but the away side manage to clear their lines.
HALF-TIME: Levante 1-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Real Madrid led in the 11th minute through Ramos, before Levante equalised in the 42nd minute courtesy of a smart finish from Boateng. All to play for in the second 45 minutes of this clash.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid dominated the first-half possession with 75%, while they hit the target with three of their nine attempts. Levante, meanwhile, managed just four shots, but two of those were on target. Three yellow cards to report - Doukoure (13'), Ivi Lopez (26') and Ramos (21').
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have a whole host of options on their bench here, with Isco, Asensio, Theo Hernandez, Lucas and Kovacic all available. Levante, meanwhile, have the likes of Bardhi, Cabaco, Jason, Roger and Pazzini in reserve. Plenty of talent on both benches here.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
Half-chance for the home side as Boateng finds space on the edge of the Real Madrid box, but the attacker sees his effort blocked. Real Madrid then see an attack down the other end break down.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match, especially considering Levante's willingness to commit players forward. Real Madrid win a free kick in an advanced position, but Ronaldo's effort hits the ball before being deflected behind for a corner kick.
Ronaldo delivers a lovely free kick into the Levante box, but five players are offside!
Real Madrid are pressing very high up the field at the moment in a bid to regain the ball, but Levante are working the space well. A high ball causes problems inside the away side's box, but Navas is on hand to claim. Still 1-1 with 55 minutes on the clock.
Ronaldo fires over from inside the box after a brilliant cross from Modric.
CHANCE! Super chance for Levante on the counter-attack, but Navas manages to block Lerma's effort from close range! The ball had bobbled around inside the box!
Bale's cross is deflected into the arms of the Levante goalkeeper as the match continues to flow from end-to-end. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and we are still locked at 1-1.
LEVANTE SUB! Jason replaces Boateng for the home side.
Still a lot of football to be played before the night is out here. Levante are so dangerous on the counter-attack, with Morales using his pace to break clear. The number 11 delivers a low cross into the Real Madrid box, but Varane is on hand to make the clearance.
Smart save from Oier to keep out a low strike from Ronaldo.
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Bale for the away side.
Levante are preparing to make their second change of the match here.
LEVANTE SUB! Lerma is replaced by Roger for the home side.
Little under 20 minutes of football remaining, and we are still locked at 1-1. Real Madrid are having a lot of the ball, but Levante are extremely dangerous on the counter-attack here.
SAVE! Oier is on hand to keep out a strike from Isco.
CHANCES! Benzema drives into the Levante box, but the Frenchman sees his effort deflected wide! Oier then saves a Ramos header from the resulting corner!
Levante cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Real Madrid continue to press.
LEVANTE SUB! Pazzini replaces Ivi for the home side.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining, and Real Madrid are still pushing for a second goal. Levante need their supporters to raise the atmosphere during such a key stage of the match.
GOAL! Levante 1-2 Real Madrid (Isco)
Real Madrid finally regain the lead with 82 minutes on the clock as Isco smashes home from inside the box following good work from Benzema. It is really tough on the home side.
REAL MADRID SUB! Asensio replaces Ronaldo for the away side.
BOOKING! Asensio (Real Madrid) is booked for a tug on Morales.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Levante to level as Roger meets a cross at the far post, but the striker somehow heads wide! He just had to score! It is an incredible miss!
Levante are on the front foot at the moment, but Real Madrid are defending well. Morales delivers towards the near post, but Varane is on hand to make the clearance.
BOOKING! Coke (Levante) is booked for a foul on Casemiro.
GOAL! Levante 2-2 Real Madrid (Pazzini)
Oh my goodness! Levante level the scores in the 89th minute as Pazzini strokes under Navas following a super passing move! Pazzini was allowed to run off Carvajal, and he scored!
BOOKING! Varane (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Pazzini.
Levante are all over Real Madrid like a rash at the moment as they look for a third goal.
Real Madrid are absolutely all over the place as Levante continue to drive forward. We are into the final minute of stoppage time, and Modric has just headed over from inside the box.
FULL-TIME: Levante 2-2 Real Madrid
Incredible. What a finish to the match. Levante twice come from behind to draw with the champions! Another poor result for Real Madrid in the league, and the pressure is back on Zidane. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you soon!
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