The pressure is growing on Julen Lopetegui as Real Madrid plunged to their third defeat in a row, albeit only narrowly so as Levante recorded a 2-1 win at the Bernabeu.
The match started in the worst possible fashion for Julen Lopetegui’s men as Jose Luis Morales pounced on an error by Raphael Varane in the seventh minute. Levante were soon two to the good, with Varane being the guilty party once again, as the Frenchman was penalised for handling the ball inside the Real Madrid box.
Roger Marti took the resulting penalty, making no error in converting from the spot and beating Thibaut Courtois. Thereafter, Real Madrid dominated the proceedings, only to see luck deserting them miserably as a number of chances went abegging. To add to their frustrations, the woodwork came between them and goal a number of times.
But, the hosts had a glimmer of hope heading into the final quarter of the game as Marcelo ended Real Madrid’s long wait for a goal by unleashing a spectacular long-range goal. But, an equaliser never came as the pressure continued to pile on a frustrated Julen Lopetegui.
Out with #Lopetegui pic.twitter.com/CTZ4AiblWP
— ÁMÉR ¹³ | (@MoOoRa14) October 20, 2018
Julen Lopetegui must go. Man been giving me heart aches like I haven't gotten enough already ? https://t.co/bmeVwOKZc2
— KolawoleOre (@KolawoleOre) October 20, 2018
How has he not gotten sacked yet? #Lopetegui pic.twitter.com/PazmG0RIab
— kouka JIMTOBER❣️ (@Kookmina12) October 20, 2018
On top of the league and there's absolutely nothing Lopetegui and Perez can do about it ?? pic.twitter.com/sMfxKdguBs
— OMAR ? (@Omaaar96) October 20, 2018
Lopetegui looks like a dead man walking for Real Madrid
— Lorenzo Del Carmen (@LorenzoDelC) October 20, 2018
Real Madrid in free fall. Perez must be feeling sick right now for not replacing Ronaldo. The lack of goal scorers in their team is getting highlighted. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Lopetegui get sacked soon. pic.twitter.com/GGMtsZGf45
— R1 + ⭕️ (@R1Finesse) October 20, 2018
Is it the end for Lopetegui? pic.twitter.com/mpzghXkruq
— MadridistaTV (@madridistatv_) October 20, 2018
Its time for @realmadrid hierarchy to sack coach lopetegui, dis woeful performance must stop, it's obvious dat Gareth bale would not be a perfect replacement for CR7. Even if isco's goal was not been ruled out, Madrid performance was below average #RMLiga @ifm1005ib kudos guys
— AMID HUMBLE ¤ (@amid_temitayo) October 20, 2018
Can’t believe Lopetegui get sacked from Spain just to get sacked from Real Madrid. Wild. https://t.co/KkziypKitb
— AntiSocial Extrovert (@juhnyah) October 20, 2018
Lopetegui enters the dressing room, Perez already waiting for him, be like: pic.twitter.com/IBJD2rhZjj
— Muhammad Murtaza (@momi_madridista) October 20, 2018
Out lopetegui. It's to much pic.twitter.com/eGl8Z7RAz9
— Bougmafatao1 (@Bougmafatao1) October 20, 2018
Face of a sacked man#Lopetegui #RealMadrid #RealMadridLevante pic.twitter.com/BIdNIgQWHY
— MRR Naeem???? (@Purekasuri) October 20, 2018
Good luck in the future, Julen Lopetegui.
— MeldΦ ³³°₁₃ (@Meldo_10) October 20, 2018
Real Madrid fans also subjected Raphael Varane to their ire, as his twin goals led to the disastrous loss.
They said varane was supposed to win the Ballon D’Or
— Sarah (@Sarah_RMadridd) October 20, 2018
Seriously, what's wrong with Varane?#RealMadridLevante
— Hala Madrid y Nada Más (@RaulMadrid__7) October 20, 2018
Varane just got the coach fired #HalaMadrid
— Kurdrista ?? (@Kurdrista) October 20, 2018
2018 people still rate varane ahead of ramos. Tragic
— Brunei Ronaldo♦️♣️ (@mrxbone) October 20, 2018
We are 2-0 down thanks to Varane not Lopetegui, don't get it twisted.
— Rk (@RkFutbol) October 20, 2018
Varane this match pic.twitter.com/cpDaFv7y1E
— Yassine (@SwishFutbol) October 20, 2018