Madrid (AFP)

Zinédine Zidane still in quarantine due to coronavirus, Real Madrid was surprised at home by Levante (2-1): a result that paves the way for the title at Atlético Madrid, which could be ten points ahead in the event success in Cadiz on Sunday.

Despite the express expulsion of Eder Militao on a direct red card (8th), Real Madrid opened the scoring thanks to Marco Asensio in the wake (13th) ... but Levante reacted well thanks to goals from his captain José Luis Morales, with a very nice half volley from the right (32nd), and another from Roger Marti (78th), on a clever combination from a corner.

Already isolated at his home due to a positive coronavirus test last week, Zidane has to face another blow: his men offered a very good first period, but could not compete until the end after the premature expulsion of Militao for a foul at the entrance to the area on Sergio Leon, who spun towards his one-on-one against Thibaut Courtois.

Will his absence help alleviate the weight on his shoulders?

Nothing is less sure.

The many calls made by the Madrid staff (David Bettoni and Grégory Dupont) on the bench of Valdebebas, certainly with "Zizou", suggest that the Marseille technician was still able to impose his choices on the lawn, from a distance.

- Courtesy is not enough -

But neither the nice first goal of Marco Asensio (13th), beautifully served in depth by Toni Kroos to deceive Aitor Fernandez with his right foot, nor the beautiful part of Eden Hazard, more and more confident (replaced by Vinicius from the 60th ), will not have managed to save Real from a fourth defeat of the season in La Liga.

In the 32nd, Levante's captain, José Luis Morales, sent a half-volley from the flat on the right foot straight into Courtois's top corner for the equalizer.

Then Roger Marti sealed the victory of the Valencians with a nice combination from a corner (78th), concluded from the right.

And the score could have been even higher for the Merengues, if the Belgian goalkeeper had not made a decisive save on this penalty hit by the same Roger Marti (64th), and conceded by the fiery Vinicius for a foul at the limit from the surface.

A setback synonymous with a serious halt in the title race for the Merengues, reigning Spanish champions, who could be ten points behind their neighbor at the end of this weekend, while having played a match more ... and a slack that could have been avoidable, three weeks before the knockout stages of the Champions League against Atalanta Bergamo (first leg February 24, return March 16).

Earlier in the day, Sevilla FC beat Eibar 2-0 away to secure a third consecutive La Liga victory and temporarily climb to 3rd place, ahead of Barça, who host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at 9 p.m. (20:00 GMT).

© 2021 AFP