Pressure on Julen
Real Madrid failed to ease the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui and instead set the record for the second-longest goal-drought in the club's history during a surprise 2-1 defeat by Levante on Saturday.
Defeat means Madrid have now gone five games without a victory and by the time Marcelo gave them hope of a comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu, they had gone 481 minutes without a goal.
The club's worst run had been 485 minutes, in 1985. But this is a streak that reflects just as badly on Lopetegui as the results, which could leave Real four points adrift of Barcelona later on Saturday, with a 'Clasico' to next weekend at the Camp Nou.
If Barca's players were watching, they would have been licking their lips at the sight of Raphael Varane handing Levante a two-goal lead after just 13 minutes. Jose Luis Morales and Roger Marti, from the penalty spot, were the beneficiaries.
At half-time, there were a scattering of white handkerchiefs -- the traditional expression of discontent -- but more whistles. After the restart, the home fans sang "echale huevos", meaning, "play with some balls".
Finally, Madrid scored in the 55th minute with that pair involved again as Bale flicked to Benzema at the back post. He picked out Marcelo to drive into the roof of the net.
Madrid believed again but it was not to be.
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