Real Madrid will travel to Valencia to face Levante for the second time this season, having beaten them 3-2 back in September. Here are five players who must shine in order for the team to build positive momentum before Wednesday’s big game against Manchester City.
While most Madridistas are eyeing Wednesday’s Champions League knockout stage opener against Manchester City, Real Madrid won’t want to underestimate their upcoming La Liga opponents.
When Real last faced Levante on Sept. 14 before their tough loss to PSG in their Champions League group stage opener, they jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half. However, Los Blancos nearly blew the game, as loanee Borja Mayoral and Gonzalo Melero struck in the second half to cut their lead to 3-2.
In the end, Real held on for a vital three points at home, but it won’t be easier this weekend at the Ciutat de Valencia. Levante are in the bottom half of the league, but they are a dangerous team.
Here are five players who must shine for Real Madrid in order for Zinedine Zidane‘s side to pick up the full three points after drawing relegation candidates Celta Vigo last weekend.
CDM Casemiro
The best defensive midfielder in the world, Casemiro was one of the bright spots in Real’s 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo last Sunday. Casemiro will need to control the game and dictate the tempo of the match from midfield alongside Toni Kroos. It’ll be up to Casemiro to shore up all possible vulnerabilities against Levante, who will be hungry to get the ball to strikers Borja Mayoral and Roger Marti, who leads the team with 10 goals.
Casemiro has been Los Blancos’ best player this season without a shadow of a doubt, and the team will be relying on him to lead the way on the road.