If you just looked at the scoreboard today, you'd think it was business as usual at the Bernabéu. A 2-0 win over Levante. Three points in the bag. Kylian Mbappé finding the net again. But honestly, the atmosphere in Madrid right now is anything but calm. This wasn't just another Saturday at the office; it was a survival test for a club that has felt like it was spinning out of control for the last ten days.
The Real Madrid today match against Levante was supposed to be the "easy" part of a chaotic week. Instead, it became a fascinating look at how Álvaro Arbeloa plans to rebuild the wreckage left behind after the shocking dismissal of Xabi Alonso.
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The Bernabéu is Grumpy (and for Good Reason)
Walking into the stadium today, you could feel the tension. It was thick. Real Madrid fans don't usually wave white handkerchiefs before a ball is even kicked, but that’s exactly what happened. The "pañolada" was directed straight at the VIP box. People are furious about how the Xabi Alonso era ended so abruptly, and even more frustrated by that midweek disaster in the Copa del Rey against Albacete.
You've got a fanbase that expects perfection, and lately, they’ve been getting chaos. When the starting lineups were announced, the jeers for Vinícius Júnior were impossible to ignore. It’s a weird vibe. Usually, Vini is the darling of the Bernabéu, but reports of his friction with the previous coaching staff have clearly soured the mood.
Then there’s Arbeloa. He’s a club legend, sure, but he’s basically been thrown into the deep end without a life jacket. His first La Liga match in charge started with 45 minutes of... well, not much.
Real Madrid Today Match: Breaking Down the 2-0 Win
The first half was a slog. Madrid looked sluggish, almost like they were afraid to make a mistake. They only managed six shots in the first half—the lowest for a new manager since Julen Lopetegui back in 2018. Levante, who are currently sitting in 19th and fighting for their lives in the relegation zone, actually looked more dangerous on the counter.
But then, the second half happened.
Mbappé’s Milestone
Kylian Mbappé finally provided the spark in the 58th minute. He drew a foul from Adrián de la Fuente in the box and stepped up to the spot. Watching him stare down Mathew Ryan, you just knew it was going in. He sent the keeper the wrong way, slotted it home, and hit a massive milestone: 50 La Liga goals.
What’s crazy is how fast he did it. He reached 50 goals in just 53 games. To put that in perspective, only Cristiano Ronaldo was faster (51 games). It sorta puts those "he's struggling to adapt" narratives to bed, doesn't it?
Raúl Asencio: The New Bedrock?
The second goal came just seven minutes later, and it felt like a weight being lifted off the stadium. Raúl Asencio—who is quickly becoming Arbeloa's go-to guy in the back—thumped in a header from an Arda Güler corner.
Asencio is an interesting one. With Éder Militão out for the long haul and Antonio Rüdiger still recovering from that knee injury sustained in the Super Cup, the kid from the academy is suddenly a regular starter. He’s scored in back-to-back home games now. Not bad for a center-back who most fans hadn't heard of six months ago.
Why This Win Actually Matters
This result moves Real Madrid within one point of Barcelona at the top of the table. Barca plays Real Sociedad tomorrow, so the pressure is officially back on.
But beyond the points, Arbeloa showed us a glimpse of his tactical identity today. He went with a very young starting XI—average age of about 24. He’s leaning into the youth, starting guys like Asencio and Dean Huijsen while keeping the veterans like David Alaba on the bench.
It’s a gamble. The Bernabéu doesn't usually have patience for "rebuilding years," but with the injury list currently looking like a medical textbook, Arbeloa doesn't have much choice. Trent Alexander-Arnold is still out until February. Ferland Mendy is MIA with calf issues. Brahim Díaz is away at AFCON.
Basically, Arbeloa is trying to win a title with a squad that is held together by tape and academy graduates.
The Reality Check
Look, we shouldn't get carried away. Levante didn't offer much resistance once the first goal went in. The real test comes on Tuesday when AS Monaco visits for the Champions League. That’s where we’ll see if this "new" Madrid has any actual teeth or if today was just a case of a big team bullying a struggling one.
The booing of Vinícius is also a massive problem. You can't have your best player being whistled by his own fans every time he touches the ball. Arbeloa mentioned it in the post-match presser, saying he’s been whistled before too and it’s just part of the "demand for excellence" at Madrid. Kind of a diplomatic answer, but the tension is real.
What to Watch for Next
If you're following the Real Madrid today match fallout, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next 48 hours:
- The Injury Report: Watch for updates on Rüdiger. Madrid desperately needs his veteran presence for the Champions League clash on Tuesday.
- The Barcelona Result: If Sociedad can do Madrid a favor tomorrow, the title race is wide open again.
- The Transfer Market: With the January window open and the defense looking thin, rumors are swirling about a move for a new right-back since Trent’s injury has been so disruptive.
- The Dressing Room: Keep an eye on the social media activity of Vini Jr. and Jude Bellingham. The "body language experts" are going to have a field day with how they interacted on the pitch today.
The 2-0 win over Levante gave Arbeloa some breathing room, but the "crisis" at Valdebebas isn't over yet. It’s just on pause.
To stay ahead of the next Matchday, make sure to check the updated La Liga standings after tomorrow's Barcelona game, as the one-point gap might be short-lived. Additionally, monitor the team's training sessions on Monday for any signs of Rüdiger's return to the full group before the Monaco fixture.