You’d think a match between the most successful club in history and a team fighting to stay in the top flight would be a foregone conclusion. Usually, it is. But if you’ve followed Real Madrid vs Levante over the last decade, you know that "usually" carries a lot of weight.
Football isn't played on paper, and the Granotas (The Frogs) have a weird habit of making the giants from the capital look surprisingly human.
Just this past weekend—January 17, 2026—the Santiago Bernabéu was a pressure cooker. Real Madrid came into the game in a full-blown crisis. They had just sacked Xabi Alonso after a painful Super Cup loss to Barcelona and followed that up by getting bounced out of the Copa del Rey by Albacete.
The fans were fuming. The white handkerchiefs were out.
The Chaos of January 2026: Arbeloa's Baptism of Fire
Álvaro Arbeloa stepped into the dugout for his La Liga debut as manager, and for the first 45 minutes, it looked like Levante might actually pull off the unthinkable. Real Madrid was disjointed. Vinícius Júnior was getting whistled by his own supporters every time a touch went heavy.
Levante, sitting 19th in the table, didn't play like a relegation candidate. Under Luis Castro, they were compact and brave. Pablo Martínez was pinging shots from distance, and Iván Romero was a constant nuisance for a Madrid backline missing regulars like Rüdiger and Alaba.
The deadlock finally broke in the 58th minute. Kylian Mbappé, who has been the focal point of both praise and frustration since his arrival, was hauled down in the box. He stepped up and buried the penalty. A few minutes later, academy graduate Raúl Asencio headed home from an Arda Güler corner to seal a -0 win.
It wasn't pretty. Honestly, it was a bit of a grind. But for Madrid, it was oxygen.
Why This Rivalry is Sneakily Competitive
Most people look at the head-to-head and see 28 wins for Real Madrid compared to just 6 for Levante. That doesn't tell the whole story.
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If you look at the last ten meetings before 2026, the record is surprisingly balanced. Levante has snatched wins at the Bernabéu in 2018 and 2021. There’s something about the way Levante sets up—often a low block that transitions into a lightning-fast counter—that catches Madrid in their most "complacent" moments.
Memorable Upsets and Goal-Fests
- The 3-3 Thriller (August 2021): This was peak chaos. Madrid led, then trailed 2-1 and 3-2, before Vinícius saved a point late.
- The 6-0 Demolition (May 2022): On the flip side, when Madrid is "on," they are terrifying. This was the night Levante’s relegation was effectively sealed, with Vinícius bagging a hat-trick.
- The September 2025 Clash: Earlier this season, Madrid ran riot at the Ciutat de València with a 4-1 win. Mbappé scored a brace, and 18-year-old sensation Franco Mastantuono scored his first ever Madrid goal.
The "Giant Killer" Reputation
Levante players often talk about these games as their "World Cup final." For a club with a fraction of Madrid’s budget—literally, the entire Levante squad is sometimes valued at less than one of Madrid’s bench players—the motivation is baked in.
They don't just sit back and hope for a 0-0. Especially at home in Valencia, they tend to turn the game into a physical battle. We saw that in the 2026 match too, where Unai Vencedor and Manu Sánchez weren't afraid to leave a bit on Jude Bellingham or Federico Valverde.
Tactical Breakdown: How to Stop Los Blancos
When Levante has succeeded, it’s usually by exploiting the space behind Madrid’s full-backs. In the recent 2-0 loss, they targeted Valverde, who was playing out of position at right-back.
If you’re watching these teams play, keep an eye on:
- The Midfield Squeeze: Levante often packs the center to force Madrid wide, then double-teams the wingers.
- The Set-Piece Weaponry: Smaller teams know they won't outplay Madrid for 90 minutes, so they gamble on corners and free-kicks.
- The Psychological Factor: Madrid fans are demanding. If Levante holds out for 30 minutes, the Bernabéu starts to get restless, and that pressure transfers to the home players.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
Whether you’re a casual viewer or someone looking at the stats for a deeper reason, here is what you should take away from the current state of Real Madrid vs Levante.
Watch the Academy Integration
With the coaching change to Arbeloa, expect to see more "La Fábrica" products. In the latest match, Raúl Asencio and Gonzalo García were the ones getting the loudest cheers while the superstars were being booed. This shift in team dynamic is huge for the rest of the 2026 season.
Don't Ignore the Relegation Battle
Levante is currently fighting for their lives. Historically, teams in the drop zone are most dangerous in January and February as the "survival instinct" kicks in. They might be 19th, but they played Madrid to a standstill for an hour.
Track Mbappé’s Evolution
Kylian Mbappé has now scored 10+ goals against Levante across various seasons. He is finding his rhythm as a "clutch" penalty taker when the open-play goals aren't flowing. If you're analyzing his performance, look at his movement when Güler or Mastantuono are on the pitch—the chemistry is clearly better with the younger creators.
Monitor the Injury List
Madrid is thin at the back. Until Rüdiger and Eder Militão return to full fitness, every opponent—even a struggling Levante—has a genuine chance to score on the break.
The next time these two face off, don't just assume it's a blowout. The "Frogs" have a way of making things very complicated for the "Kings of Europe."
To stay ahead of the curve on this matchup, keep a close watch on the recovery timelines for Real Madrid's defensive core, as their absence remains the biggest equalizer for underdog sides like Levante. Furthermore, pay attention to Levante's upcoming fixtures against fellow bottom-three teams; their confidence in those games often dictates how bravely they'll play when they eventually meet the big clubs again.