Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't like to be upstaged. Raul's name was ringing around the Santiago Bernabeu after the legendary forward revealed he would be retiring from football at the end of the season, so of course Ronaldo picked this moment to finally break his all-time goals record.
Although Madrid and Ronaldo himself claim he managed it a fortnight ago, in the Champions League against Malmo, the record books will show it was here that he struck his 324th goal for the club, in his 310th game. It took Raul 741 games to hit 323, emphasising what an incredible feat Ronaldo has accomplished
He spooned a half-volley well over the bar in the first half, albeit from a difficult position, and offered little else before he was replaced.
Levante boss Lucas Alcaraz used a 4-4-2, taking cues from Malaga's recent efforts at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Andalusians had left with a hard-earned point, which could have been trebled if they were more clinical on the break.
Despite Real's decent start to the season, which saw them start the weekend in second place, behind Villarreal, there are some flaws which Rafa Benitez needs to work out.
What looks in good shape is the defence, with Madrid entering the clash having only shipped two goals all season, across nine games. This is their best defensive start to a La Liga season since 1997.
However, their biggest problem at the moment is injury. Madrid had seven players out for this clash, many of them key first-teamers.
Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Arbeloa missed the game, with the bench full of youngsters like Borja Mayoral and Philipp Lienhart. Infact, every single substitute was a product of the Madrid academy.
One of them, Marcos Llorente - grandson of former Madrid great Paco Gente - was introduced in the second half, making his debut at 20 years old. Although Benitez's hand was forced by the injuries, Madrid fans are finally getting to see what some of their youth products can do.
The good news for Los Blancos was the return of Bale, starting for the first time in a month, after he returned from a calf injury sustained in mid-September, and of Danilo after a foot problem.
Ramos' continued injury woes meant Marcelo wore the armband and he put in a captain's performance in the first half, driving forward from left back and opening the scoring.
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