Levante are going through an horrible spell as they share the worst goal difference record (-11) with rock-bottom side Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga. Les Granotes are 17th in the standings with only five points from a possible 21.
At this point, the 105-year-old club is being forced into an early battle for survival. Jose Luis Mendilibar has a tactical mountain to climb ahead of Saturday’s afternoon encounter. Levante emphatically went down 5-0 to Barcelona on home soil last month. They are poised to suffer a similar fate against Real Madrid, unless they catch the latter in the midst of a tough agenda.
Indeed, Los Blancos have a titanic UEFA Champions League match to play away to Liverpool next Wednesday before hosting Barcelona at the Bernabeu in El Clasico. So what is Carlo Ancelotti’s plan to successfully pass these two tests next week, without failing the upcoming one against Levante?
The Real Madrid coach plans to rotate his squad. However, the possibility of falling seven points behind current league leaders Barca means that Ancelotti will not play a weak team. Goal poacher Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly fired up and willing to skip none of Los Blancos’ fixtures this month.
Is this bad news for Levante or will they manage to shut down the Portuguese superstar? CR7 has his eyes set on winning the 2014/15 Pichichi and smashing several records in the process. He counts 13 goals in La Liga already. He would want to add more to the seven strikes he has scored against Valencia-based Levante in his Real Madrid career.
Levante vs Real Madrid lineups
Levante's first XI: Mariño, Ivan, Hector, Ruben, Morales, Juanfran, Gavilán, Casadesús, Pedro López, Diop, Camarasa.
Real Madrid's first XI: Casillas, Carvajal, Nacho, Pepe, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Isco, James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Chicharito.
Levante and Real Madrid's position ahead of Matchday 8
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Match details, result and original broadcast info
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