Real Madrid bounced back from their embarrassing Copa del Rey exit with a 2-0 win over Levante but supporters aren't happy. The win came as a relief for Alvaro Arbeloa who replaced Xabi Alonso as caretaker manager earlier this week.
Kylian Mbappe was on target from the penalty spot to score his 30th goal of the season. Raul Asencio added a second as Madrid moved to within just a point of leaders Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
The home fans at the Estadio Bernabeu spent the game whistling players they believe are guilty of getting Alonso dismissed. Vinicius Junior was the main target of their anger but from a performance standpoint supporters weren't impressed with Dean Huijsen.
Real Madrid 2-0 Levante: Dean Huijsen dissapoints
Huijsen has failed to live up to expectations since arriving at Madrid in the summer. Los Blancos paid Bournemouth €58 million to bring him to the Spanish capital.
The 20-year-old was highly sought after amid an extremely impressive spell in the Premier League. But he hasn't been able to replicate his defensive dominance in England while in Spain and put in a dissapointing display today.
Huijsen won just one of five aerial duels, lost possession five times and didn't make a single tackle. His defensive partner Asencio was excellent and their contrasting showings explain why Madrid are expected to be in the market for a new center-back this summer.
Real Madrid fans hit out at Huijsen
Huijsen wasn't whistled at during the game unlike Vinicius, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde. But one fan on X thinks he deserved the same treatment: "Nah Huijsen deserves to get booed as well wtf."
Another supporter suggested the Spaniard's height is the only reason he's playing for a club of Madrid's status: "If Huijsen wasn’t 6’5 he would be playing at Getafe."
One ridiculed the Premier League by pointing out how poorly the Spain international has adapted to La Liga: "The Premier League has got to be the farmers league, because how was Dean Huijsen considered as one of the best CBs, he looks atrocious ever since he’s joined Madrid."
Another thinks the defender is poor in possession: "Huijsen is genuinely so bad on the ball, why are you clearing that when you can just turn and pass, it’s ridiculous man, ball playing CB can’t play under a little pressure."
Huijsen will need to improve if he's going to continue in Arbeloa's side moving forward. He was brought off for Dani Ceballos in the 61st minute and it was the latest of many disappointing performances.