Real Madrid 1-2 Levante: Player ratings as ten-man Blancos lose further ground in title race

Real Madrid missed their opportunity to move within four points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid as they were beaten 2-1 by Levante on Saturday afternoon.

Real were reduced to ten men with just eight minutes on the clock after Eder Militao received his marching orders for bringing down Sergio Leon who looked to be through on goal.

Despite being a man down it was the home side who took the lead, with Marco Asensio latching onto Toni Kroos' majestic through-ball before coolly slotting past Aitor Fernandez.

Having gone 1-0 up Zinedine Zidane's side started to take control of the game, but their dominance was curtailed as Levante hit back with just over half an hour gone. Alvaro Odriozola was caught ball watching at the back post and Jose Luis Morales took full advantage as he brilliantly guided his half-volley into the far corner.

Vinicius Junior was introduced in the second half as Real looked to regain the lead, and within seconds of his arrival he conceded a penalty, though Thibaut Courtois came to the home side's rescue with a fine save from Roger Marti's spot kick.

With little over ten minutes remaining Roger redeemed himself by handing Levante the lead. A nicely worked set-piece culminated in the Spaniard finding himself unmarked in the Real 18-yard box, and his superb touch and finish left Courtois with absolutely no chance.

That's the match highlights out of the way, now to those Real Madrid player ratings.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - 8/10 - Little he could do about either Levante goal. Produced a number of fine saves to keep his side in the game and was tasked with playing a sweeper role once Madrid were reduced to ten men, something he did very well. Pulled off a fine save from the spot in the second half.

Alvaro Odriozola (RB) - 4/10 - Caught under the ball as Levante equalised shortly after the half hour mark. Evidently keen to make amends following his error and just ended up leaving his teammates exposed defensively.

Eder Militao (CB) - 2/10 - Dismissed with just eight minutes on the clock. His challenge was more clumsy than it was malicious, though his poor positioning was the reason he was forced to bring down Leon.

Raphael Varane (CB) - 5/10 - Struggled to adapt following the dismissal of his centre-back partner and spent much of the game chasing shadows as Levante ran riot.

Ferland Mendy (LB) - 5/10 - Attempted to aid the attack but rarely managed to provide any quality when given the chance.

2. Midfielders

Toni Kroos (CM) - 6/10 - Produced a moment of magic to guide the ball straight through the Levante backline with the outside of his boot. Otherwise, an uncharacteristically subdued performance.

Casemiro (CM) - 7/10 - Tasked with filling in at centre-back following Militao's dismissal. Stepped into midfield throughout and spread the play well - a good performance given the circumstances.

Luka Modric (CM) - 7/10 - Just did what Luka Modric does. Sat in the centre of the pitch stroking the ball around with ease while stretching play and gliding past the opposition - made the difficult look like the easiest thing in the world.

3. Forwards

Marco Asensio (RW) - 7/10 - Latched onto Kroos' pass to notch the opening goal of the game superbly, and could have easily doubled the lead just minutes later following a glorious piece of play. Struggled a little more in the second half but still a good performance.

Karim Benzema (ST) - 4/10 - One of the quietest 90 minutes of football you will see from the Frenchman. Evidently began to grow frustrated with his teammates as he gestured in anger towards them. Squandered the one chance that came his way with a shocking finish.

Eden Hazard (LW) - 5/10 - Has shown glimpses in recent weeks of returning to the Eden Hazard of old, but today wasn't his day. Couldn't get on the ball in the final third and found himself dropping deeper and deeper in a bid to get involved in the play. Hooked with barely an hour played.

4. Substitutes

Vinicius Junior (RW) - 4/10

Mariano (ST) - 6/10

Sergio Arribas (LW) - 6/10