Real Madrid looking to keep form in tough Levante clash

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Real Madrid looking to keep form in tough Levante clash

(Xinhua) 14:59, October 05, 2013

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Real Madrid may have enjoyed a relative stroll in the park when they crushed Copenhagen 4-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but Carlo Ancelotti's side know they are in for a much tougher time when they travel to Valencia to play Levante on Saturday.

Matches between Levante and Real Madrid have become known for their toughness in recent seasons as Levante have resorted to physical tactics to try and stop Madrid and although the summer saw the departure of veteran defender Sergio Ballesteros and coach Juan Ignacio Martinez, little has changed.

New coach Joaquin Caparros has always been known for his combative style of football, while David Navarro, who last year left Cristiano Ronaldo with a cut eyelid and a black eye is still at the club.

Levante's season kicked off with a 7-0 thrashing in the Camp Nou to FC Barcelona, but Caparros has worked his 'magic' since then and his side are now unbeaten in six games and have climbed to mid-table, meaning they will be no pushover.

The Champions league victory over Copenhagen may have lifted spirits at Real Madrid, but there are still problems, especially with striker, Karim Benzema, who looks out of form and was once again booed by the Madrid fans in midweek.

Although he said that Benzema was his "first choice striker," Ancelotti may heed the calls to give a chance to youngster, Alvaro Morata, who last year scored a late winning goal in the Ciudad d Valencia Stadium, while his dilemma is whether to play Sami Khedira in midfield or to use the more attacking option of Luka Modric.

"We used a 4-3-3 system against Copenhagen and I liked it as we were well balanced. It all depends on where Cristiano Ronaldo plays. If he plays out wide then we have to play three midfielders," said the Madrid coach in his pre-game press conference

Young central defender Rafael Varene returned from injury against Copenhagen and his return has opened a debate over who should play in the heart of the Madrid defense after both Sergio Ramos and Pepe have come in for criticism in recent matches.

"The main thing is that he played well and he was very calm after his injury. His presence will improve the competition for places in central defense," said Ancelotti.

Meanwhile Gareth Bale is out of action with a muscle injury, although Ancelotti expects him to be available again after the forthcoming international break.

"He will stay here to train for the next 15 days and he will be ready for the next game (against Malaga). He is unhappy because he was really hoping to play, but this has been a complicated period for him, although he is psychologically fine, given that he is a calm player and it is not a serious injury," said the coach.