Kylian Mbappé scored a second-half penalty as crisis-hit Real Madrid saw off Levante with a 2-0 LaLiga victory inside a furious Bernabeu.
Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso as manager following his shock departure in the aftermath of Real’s Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, urged the club’s fans to be «by our side» prior to Saturday’s fixture.
However Real, only days after they were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by second-tier Albacete, received a hostile reception from their own supporters.
The home players were subjected to deafening whistles, and some fans even protested by waving white handkerchiefs at their team as they departed the pitch at half-time. Club president Florentino Perez was also targeted.
Mbappe spared the home side’s blushes by winning a penalty, and then converting the ensuing spot-kick, shortly before the hour mark before Raúl Asencio doubled their lead just eight minutes later.
However, the frenzied atmosphere will serve Arbeloa a stark reminder to the task he faces in restoring the trust among the club’s supporters.
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The win takes Los Blancos one point behind Barcelona who travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
A turbulent week saw Alonso depart by mutual consent on Monday – less than eight months after he replaced Carlo Ancelotti – in the aftermath of Real’s Spanish Super Cup defeat by Barcelona.
Arbeloa was immediately appointed as head coach, and in his first game at the helm, oversaw a stoppage time 3-2 defeat to Albacete.
On Saturday, they faced a second-from-bottom side Levante. Amid the backdrop of a riled-up fanbase, they were held until the interval.
Mbappe came to Real’s rescue in the 57th minute when he was upended by Adrián de la Fuente in the penalty area, and then sent Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan the wrong way to land his 30th club goal of the season.
In the 65th minute, Asencio provided Real’s second when he delivered a bullet header from Arda Guler’s outswinging corner.
Jude Bellingham came close to making it three for the hosts only to see Ryan divert his goalbound header before Franco Mastantuono struck the goal frame as Real kept the pressure on rivals Barcelona.
