Placid Levante set Real Madrid up for Clasico

Madrid, March 16: If Real Madrid could have chosen a rival to face a week before 'El Clasico' against FC Barcelona, they would have probably chosen the Levante side they defeated 2-0 in the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night.

The side from Valencia may be battling to avoid relegation but they appeared more interested in not picking up any bookings which might hinder them in future weeks, reports Xinhua.

A result was virtually an evening stroll in the Bernabeu for Ancelotti's side in a game where Gareth Bale returned to goal-scoring ways, Sergio Ramos was able to return to action (he saw the only yellow card of the night) and Luka Modric was able to play for 80 minutes in the Real Madrid midfield to continue his comeback after injury.

Meanwhile Keylor Navas, who replaced the under-fire Iker Casillas in the Real Madrid goal had such a placid evening that his few touches of the ball became a trending topic on Twitter, although his lack of activity did little to clear up the debate over who should play in goal.

Speaking after the game, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was content to see the end of a three game run without a win as well as being able to ease key players back into action.

"Modric and Ramos contributed well to the team. We will now go to Camp Nou with the maximum confidence in ourselves. The game showed that Sergio and Modric are in great condition and we have managed to avoid any problems with cards for Isco and Kroos," said Ancelotti, looking ahead to what could be a season defining game next Sunday.

"It's clear what the system and the starting 11 are going to be for the Clasico," he said, leaving a doubt over who will play in goal while praising Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo after a difficult fortnight.