Levante welcome Real Madrid to the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on September 23rd in a LaLiga showdown that pits a struggling side against the league’s early frontrunners. While Real Madrid arrive with a perfect record, Levante are under pressure to turn their fortunes around in front of their home supporters.
Levante Searching for Momentum
It has been a difficult start to the campaign for Levante. Manager Julián Calero’s men have collected just one point from their opening four fixtures, leaving them languishing near the bottom of the table. Defensive lapses have been a recurring problem, while the attack has looked overly reliant on veteran forward José Luis Morales.
Jeremy Toljan and Iván Romero have shown glimpses of quality, but consistency has been lacking. Midfielders Pablo Martínez and Oriol Rey will need to provide greater control if Levante are to compete against Madrid’s star-studded lineup. The home side may also look to set pieces as a potential weapon, with their aerial strength one of the few bright spots so far this season.
Real Madrid’s Red-Hot Start
In stark contrast, Real Madrid come into this fixture riding high. Under new boss Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos have won all four of their LaLiga matches and kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Marseille.
Kylian Mbappé has been electric, scoring twice in that European opener, while Vinícius Júnior and Brahim Díaz continue to provide pace and creativity. However, Alonso faces headaches at the back: Trent Alexander-Arnold is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Dani Carvajal is suspended following a midweek red card. This could force tactical adjustments, possibly involving Fede Valverde in a deeper role.
Historical Context and Key Factors
Despite the gulf in form, Levante have caused Madrid problems in recent years at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. A thrilling 3-3 draw in 2021 and a 2-1 victory in 2020 remain fresh reminders that Los Blancos cannot afford complacency.
Levante’s best chance will come from exploiting Madrid’s reshuffled defense and making the most of limited opportunities. Morales and Romero will need to be clinical, while the home crowd’s energy could provide a vital lift for a team desperate to rediscover belief.
Prediction
While Levante have shown resilience against Madrid in the past, their current form makes a repeat upset difficult to envision. Real Madrid’s attack, spearheaded by Mbappé and Vinícius, should have too much firepower, even with defensive concerns. Levante will likely battle hard and may find the net, but Madrid’s superior quality is expected to shine through.
Los Blancos look set to maintain their perfect record, though Levante’s determination could at least ensure a spirited contest in Valencia.
Predicted Score: Levante 1 – 3 Real Madrid