Real Madrid secured at least three points with a 2-0 victory over Levante at the Santiago Bernab.
Vinicius went straight to the locker room after Real Madrid’s win at the Bernabéu
It represents a change in mindset under interim head coach Lubalo Arbeloa, who has asked his players to simplify their approach and rediscover their joy on the pitch. Defender Lal Asensio made that message clear after the game, explaining that Arbeloa’s focus has been on dominance, confidence and playing without hesitation.
“We want to dominate every game, dominate and focus on ourselves and not the opponent. That is very important and we will get there little by little,” Asensio said after Madrid pulled away with a strong second-half performance.
Important victory after difficult times
Asensio played a decisive role in the result, scoring the second goal in the 65th minute with a header off a corner from Arda Goulart. In an interview with Real Madrid TV, he emphasized how important this match was for the team, which has gone through a difficult period. The defender admitted that the team felt obliged to respond to the fans after the disappointing game in Albacete, and saw the game against Levante as an opportunity to reset.
The first half reflected the challenges faced by Madrid. Levante were organized defensively and had limited space in the central areas, forcing the hosts to rely on patience and ball circulation. One of Madrid’s best chances before the break came when Asensio sent a precise long ball behind the defense to Kylian Mbapp. The volley unfortunately missed the target. Levante created some set pieces, but Thibaut Courtois rarely got into trouble.
Arbeloa’s influence became even more evident after half-time. With the introduction of Franco Mastantuono and Arda Greer, Madrid quickly increased the tempo. The home team started pressing higher, moving the ball faster and applying sustained pressure. Mbappu scored the opening goal from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after being brought down by Dera, extending his scoring streak in three consecutive league games and taking his season total to 19.
Madrid wanted him more than Levante
The second goal followed soon after, when Asensio stood up to meet Gler’s corner kick and head the ball past the goalkeeper. Madrid continued to push further, with Mastantuono hitting the crossbar from long range and Levante keeper Ryan forcing a number of late saves to deny Jude Bellingham, Vincius Junior and Mbapp.
For Asensio, scoring in back-to-back games at the Bernab was a personal highlight, but it emphasized the collective reaction over individual recognition. He cited candid conversations in the locker room and the importance of listening to the coaching staff as key to the turnaround.
This victory was Real Madrid’s 15th league win and provided momentum for their next match against Monaco in the Champions League. More importantly, it reflects that Arbeloa’s early message has taken hold. By asking the players to focus on having fun and sticking to their style, Madrid delivered a performance that felt controlled, confident and in line with what the caretaker manager wants to build going forward.
