Real Madrid‘s 2-0 win over Levante at the Santiago Bernabéu marked more than just three points in the standings.
It represented a shift in mindset under interim head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who asked his players to simplify their approach and rediscover their enjoyment on the pitch. Defender Raúl Asencio made that message clear after the match, explaining that Arbeloa‘s focus has been on dominance, confidence, and playing without hesitation.
“We want to boss every game, to dominate, to focus on ourselves and not on our opponents. It’s very important, little by little we’re going to get there,” Asencio said following the victory, which saw Madrid pull away with a strong second-half performance.
An important win after a difficult period
Asencio played a decisive role in that result, heading home the second goal from an Arda Güler corner in the 65th minute. Speaking to Realmadrid TV, he stressed how important the match was for the squad after a difficult period. The defender acknowledged that the team felt it owed the fans a response following a disappointing outing in Albacete and viewed the Levante match as a chance to reset.
The first half reflected the challenge Madrid faced. Levante were organized defensively and limited space in central areas, forcing the hosts to rely on patience and ball circulation. One of Madrid‘s best chances before the break came when Asencio delivered a precise long ball behind the defense to Kylian Mbappé, whose volley narrowly missed the target. Levante generated a handful of set pieces, but Thibaut Courtois was rarely troubled.
Arbeloa‘s influence became more evident after halftime. He introduced Franco Mastantuono and Arda Güler, and Madrid‘s tempo increased immediately. The home side pressed higher, moved the ball quicker, and began to create sustained pressure. Mbappé opened the scoring in the 58th minute from the penalty spot after being brought down by Dela, extending his run to three straight league games with a goal and taking his season total to 19.
Madrid wanted it more than Levante
The second goal followed soon after, with Asencio rising to meet Güler‘s corner and powering a header past the goalkeeper. Madrid continued to push for more, with Mastantuono hitting the crossbar from distance and Levante keeper Ryan forced into multiple late saves to deny Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Mbappé.
For Asencio, scoring in consecutive matches at the Bernabéu has been a personal highlight, but he emphasized the collective response more than individual recognition. He pointed to open conversations in the dressing room and the importance of listening to the coaching staff as key factors in the turnaround.
The win was Real Madrid‘s 15th in league play and provided momentum heading into their upcoming Champions League match against Monaco. More importantly, it reflected Arbeloa‘s early message taking hold. By asking his players to enjoy themselves and focus on imposing their style, Madrid delivered a performance that felt controlled, confident, and aligned with what the interim coach wants to build moving forward.
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