Real Madrid stunned by late Levante show as Eden Hazard limps off with injury ahead of Man City tie

Eden Hazard went off injured as Real Madrid suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Levante in LaLiga on Saturday night.

Coach Zinedine Zidane handed the Belgian his second straight start after an ankle injury and the former Chelsea attacker was bright in the first half.

The 29-year-old was at the heart of most of Los Blancos’ best play, but Zidane’s side struggled to create chances.

Karim Benzema missed perhaps the best one after just 10 minutes, when he shot straight at Aitor Fernandez from inside the box with only the Levante goalkeeper to beat.

Luka Modric saw a fierce effort pushed wide by Aitor late in the half and Marcelo, in the team because Ferland Mendy was just one booking from a ban which would have seen him miss next weekend’s Clasico, fired a shot high and wide.

Hazard raced away on a quick break in the second half, but his shot lacked power and Aitor saved with his legs.

The Belgian then began to limp and was eventually replaced by Vinicius Junior with a quarter of the match left, an ominous sign ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Manchester City and Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona.

And things soon got worse for Real as Jose Luis Morales raced onto a ball down the left and surprised Thibaut Courtois with a powerful drive on the bounce which beat the Belgian at his near post.

Morales was substituted to an ovation moments later and Levante held on for a big win which sees Madrid stay two points behind Barcelona at the top of LaLiga after 25 rounds of matches.

Levante XI: Aitor Fernandez; Miramon, Postigo, Tono, Bruno; Campana, Vukcevic; Morales, Roger, Bardhi; Mayoral.

Subs: Koke Vegas, Duarte, Sergio Leon, Clerc, Melero, Coke, Martinez.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Isco, Benzema, Hazard.

Subs: Areola, Militao, Valverde, James, Lucas Vazquez, Mendy, Vinicius Jr.