Real Madrid secured their first win under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa earlier today, defeating Levante 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Goals in the second half from Kylian Mbappe and Raul Asencio earned Los Blancos all three points, placing them just one point behind league leaders Barcelona.
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After the match, Dani Ceballos, who came on as a substitute in the second half, shared his thoughts with club media, discussing the significance of the win.
“We knew it would be a challenging match against a team that defends well in a low block. We took our time, gradually working through the game,” he stated.
“We started slowly but improved as the match progressed, finishing with positive feelings and three crucial points.”
He elaborated on the team’s performance and adjustments made after halftime:
“We addressed our mistakes from the first half, particularly around the intensity of our duels and playing forward, which was key to our scoring. The first goal came from a penalty as we pushed forward, while the second was from a set piece.
“The team deserved a bigger margin of victory, but securing the three points was the most important takeaway for today.”
Dani Ceballos appeared as a substitute against Levante. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
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Additionally, Ceballos discussed Arbeloa’s tactical approach and the expectations for the team, saying:
“He emphasizes the need to press immediately after losing possession, which has been missing in our recent matches. He wants us to be aggressive, push forward to recover the ball, and play dynamically.”
“Though we haven’t been with him for long, we are eager to absorb his ideas and continue to improve.”
Lastly, reflecting on his own role in the game, where he played as a defensive midfielder while Aurelien Tchouameni shifted to defense, Ceballos noted:
“The manager is aware that I’m a hardworking player who enjoys having the ball. Today, he asked me to fulfill the role of a pure midfielder after Aurelien shifted positions to center-back.
“My goal was to facilitate the team’s play, give my utmost in every aspect, and I feel I accomplished that today.”