LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 1-2 Levante
Date: 20 October 2018
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
The pressure continues to grow on coach Julen Lopetegui as Real Madrid suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Levante in LaLiga at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Lopetegui surprised many when he decided to start Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema on the bench, a move which would backfire for the Spaniard.
The hosts got off to the worst start as Jose Morales latched onto a long pass from Sergi Postigo, before rounding Thibaut Courtois to slot into an empty net.
Levante were then awarded a penalty in the 13th minute when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) adjudged Raphael Varane to have handled in the box. Roger Marti stepped up and made no mistake from 12-yards out, as the whistles began to ring around the stadium.
Real had the ball in the back of the net five minutes later but Marco Asensio's strike was ruled out by VAR for an offside.
The home side continue to push for a way back into the encounter and they went agonisingly close in the 34th minute when Mariano Diaz hit the crossbar with header.
Levante shot-stopper Oier Olazábal ensured his side went into the break two goals up, as he produced a superb save to deny Lucas Vazquez from point-blank range.
The hosts opted for a change at the start of the second half, as Bale replaced defender Alvaro Odriozola.
Despite the introduction of Bale, Los Blancos continued to look disjointed in the attack, forcing Lopetegui to thrown Karim Benzem and Dani Ceballos after 60 minutes.
Los Blancos did pull a goal back in the 72nd minute as Benzema unselfishly cut back for Marcelo, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
The hosts had the ball in the back of the net two minutes before the full-time whistle, but Benzema's close range finish was flagged offside.
In the end, Los Blancos were unable to restore parity as Levante held on for a famous win at the Bernabeu, while more questions will be asked by Lopetegui's future.
