Real Madrid were held to a stalemate at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia as the Los blancos side twice gave away the lead to gift Levante a 2-2 draw. The result made it the 11th time Real Madrid dropped points in the league as inconsistency continues to get the better of the Spanish club.
Sergio Ramos handed Real Madrid the lead as early as the 11th minutes as the Spanish defender became the first in la liga history to score in 14 different league seasons. Real Madrid looked set to be head to the break with their lead but 42 minutes goal by Baoteng restored parity for the host. The second half was a heated affair as the two sides tried to get the vital 3rd goal. Isco finally snatched the goal for Madrid in the 81th minute with an assist from Karim Benzema. Los Blancos side were on course for the second consecutive away win in the league but Giampaolo Pazzini was at the right place and time to steal a draw for the home side to pile pressure on Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane could not hide his frustration in front of the media as the Madrid boss reaffirmed that he will not give up on the league despite the 18 points gap between the club and its Arch-rivals Barcelona which could be 21 points if the Blaugrana side wins their local derby on the road at Espanyol. When asked about his decision to remove the Portuguese talisman Cristaino Ronaldo after Isco put them ahead in the game, He confirmed that the decision was to strengthen the midfield and seeing off the game. He also criticized his players for their inability to reciprocate the first performance at the second interval especially in the area of defending and closing down of the ball. Zidane might be trying to lift the spirit of his players but the captain Sergio Ramos might have already given up of the Primera division as the Spaniard have called his teammates to switch attention to the Champions league tie against PSG.
The draw keeps the Los Blancos side in fourth place and 18 points away from the leaders Barcelona with the point likely to increase if Barcelona wins at Espanyol. Next up for Real Madrid is a home match against Real Sociedad.