VAR rescues Real Madrid from Levante banana skin

Real Madrid got back to winning ways on the road as they narrowly saw off Levante in La Liga, though it was in controversial circumstances that they took the three points in Valencia.

The deadlock was broken by Karim Benzemas penalty against the run of play after Enis Bardhi was judged to have handled the ball inside the box after the referee consulted VAR. Roger Marti equalised for the hosts, sliding in to get on the end of Jose Luis Morales cross, but substitute Gareth Bale would decide the 2-1 win, again from the spot, after a controversial penalty was awarded to Casemiro.

Our tactical analysis will use statistics to identify what key points Real Madrids Santiago Solari can take from the game.

Lineups

VAR was decisive

With 0.23 xG more than Real Madrid, excluding penalties, it’s fair to say that Levante can feel hard done by. Roger may have eventually got on the scoresheet but it wasnt his first chance. Many will feel that he should have done better with his strike just before half-time, firing wide after a great run saw him peel off of Nacho and find himself one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois.

VAR was required to confirm both of Real Madrids penalties, with huge controversy over the second as Casemiro made the most of very little contact, and it helped to mask a disappointing display. Only once in the past five games have Real Madrid achieved over 1.5 xG, that time coming in the home defeat to Girona, and its clear that Solaris team are not creating the kind of chances that they should be.