This game was an incredibly important match for Real Madrid and I was able to go. Real Madrid hosted 19th placed Levante for a chance to go a single point behind fierce rivals Barcelona.
This was Alvaro Arbeloa’s first home game as the new Real Madrid manager since the controversial sacking of Xabi Alonso and the fans made their feelings known. The atmosphere before the game and during was tense and hostile. The usual booing of officials turned to the players throughout the warmup as the players in white were booed as they warmed up. This would include the jeering of the team as the starting line up was called out (especially towards Vinicius Jr.). A symbolic moment for Real Madrid as fans made noise throughout the singing of the club anthem.
The first half of football was met by deafening noise from the crowd. The crowd would erupt with jeers when players like Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde touched the ball. This hostile atmosphere translated to the pitch as the noise seemed to affect the players due to the lacklustre performance. The sides went into the break even but the reaction of the fans you would think that Real Madrid were losing 3-0.
Real Madrid made changes at half time, in particular the substitution of Arda Guler who made the difference in the game. The home side started to play better and the harsh atmosphere seemed to die down. Mbappe would win a penalty and would tuck it away sending Matt Ryan the wrong way. However, the niceties seemed to end when Dean Huijsen was subbed off as he was ‘jeered off the pitch’ by the fans. Soon after the second goal came from a corner. Arda Guler puts in a teasing cross towards the penalty spot as Raul Asensio leapt the highest and with a powerful header blasted it into the near post. Unlike Huijsen, Asensio was given a standing ovation as he was subbed off.
As the final whistle went despite the result, fans still showed their anger with jeers from the stands.
It was an unforgettable experience seeing such hostilities from the home fans towards their own players. Nonetheless, I would say that Arda Guler changed the game when he came on. He was at the centre of all of Real Madrid’s positive moments and for me is the Player of the Match.
