Heavily-rotated Real Madrid drop more La Liga points in disappointing draw at home to newly-promoted Levante

Zinedine Zidane paid the price for putting out such a weakened side as the European champions failed to overpower their newly-promoted visitors

Gareth Bale came off the bench but couldn't help Real Madrid to victory (Getty 2017)

Watching Real Madrid last season you would never have thought they would lack goals but, in this disappointing 1-1 draw with Levante, the European champions simply couldn't overpower a spirited but fairly limited Levante side that only recently returned to the top flight.

Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension for pushing a referee has shorn them of their great goalscorer but there should be enough firepower in this expensively-assembled and incredibly talented squad to overcome his absence. Instead, with Gareth Bale left on the bench, the in-form Isco also left out and Luka Modric not even in the squad, Madrid fell behind to Ivi Lopez's early goal and only stole a point through Lucas Vazquez's late equaliser.

Bale came on for the injured Karim Benzema after less than half an hour and Isco was brought on to provide some creative impetus in the second half.

And yet Madrid were incapable of getting things going and Bale looked short of confidence, never moreso than when through on goal only to aim a tame finish at the goalkeeper, Raul Fernandez.

Marcelo was sent off late in proceedings (Getty 2017)

Fernandez's best save of the day came from a late, low-struck effort by Marcelo, who in frustration rolled to the floor, kicking Levante's Jefferson Lerma in the process and earning a straight red card in the 89th minute. The Brazilian had been shoehorned into the side in midfield as part of Zidane's curiously-composed XI, but would leave his side with just ten for stoppage time.

Madrid did have one final chance to snatch a win when Kroos went for goal from the edge of the area but saw his shot bounce off the outside of the far post, leaving Zinedine Zidane's side with five points from their first three league games. Dropped points either side of the international break have highlighted the reliance on Ronaldo's goals, but will also bring into focus Zidane's rotation - and whether it was necessary with lowly APOEL their Champions League opponents in midweek.

Mind you, on this evidence, they can hardly take the Cypriot champions for granted.