Real Madrid player ratings after defeat away to Levante
Zidane's side slip up for the second LaLiga defeat of the season and hand the lead back to FC Barcelona ahead of El Clásico.
Real Madrid fell to their second defeat of the 2019-20 LaLiga campaign in Valencia as a late left footed strike from Jose Luis Morales was enough to secure a 1-0 win for the home side.
Following Barcelona's earlier 5-0 home win over struggling Eibar, the Catalan side sit aloft the table with both top two sides coming face to face on March 1st at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid (v Levante) 1x1 match ratings:
Courtois: A solid performance from the Belgian stopper but being heavily questioned on his response to the Morales winner with the player failing to react, deeming that the ball was going wide.
Carvajal: A discreet performance from the Spanish international with the bulk of Real Madrid's attacking danger being generated down the left hand flank.
Ramos: An early yellow card may have gone someway in conditioning the night for the Madrid captain who went on to deliver an accomplished display. His 50m pass to Isco, towards the end of the first half (who was subsequently offside) was sublime.
Varane: A solid display from the French international who was not called into action extensively during the 90 minutes.
Marcelo: AS English Real Madrid MVP: Despite being under pressure in recent weeks having dropped in the pecking order behind Mendy, the Brazilian offered a solid display and his left hand side was a constant source of danger for the Levante rear-guard. His 'kung-fu' assist for Hazard in the second half was one of the highlights for the visitors on the night.
Casemiro: The Brazilian almost found the target in the first half with a headed effort, following a poor clearance from Levante keeper Aitor. A consummate performance throughout from the central player.
Modric: The Croatian midfielder started proceedings well but drifted as the game wore on. Had a few first half efforts and despite his pressure was unable to stop Morales from bagging the 79th minute winner for Levante.
Kroos: Despite doing little wrong, tonight's match at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium will be a game that the German midfielder will not be anxious to watch on repeat.
Isco: Another solid display from the Costa del Sol born player who, especially in the first 45' showed signs of being close to back to his best. Encouraging performance for Zinedine Zidane from the central player.
Hazard: A sterling display from the Belgian who was lively and busy in his second start since returning to full fitness following his long lay off through injury. Was in clear distress following his substitution with speculation that his ankle problem is not a thing of the past.
Benzema: Tonight was a match of frustration for the French forward in front of the target. The striker found himself in decent positions and was denied by poor finishing and decent goalkeeping from Aitor in the Levante goal.
Substitutes:
Vinicius: Looked dangerous with his blistering pace when coming on for the injured Eden Hazard in the 67th minute.
Lucas Vázquez: A quiet performance from the Galician who took over from Isco in the 73rd minute.
Valverde: The Uruguayan had less than ten minutes of action in Valencia but immediately made his presence felt.