MADRID, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid returned to action with a routine 3-0 win at home to struggling Levante on Saturday.
Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez all got on the score-sheet as Rafael Benitez's side momentarily went top of the BBVA Primera Liga.
With Sergio Ramos and Danilo failing to recover and James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric all injured, Rafael Benitez began the game with Casimiro and Mateo Kovacic in central midfield.
Levante surprised Real Madrid with a bright start and Keylor Navas, a former Levante hero was called into action after just five minutes to deny Roger Marti and it was not until the 20 minute mark that Real Madrid began to take control and Marcelo opened the scoring with a powerful left-foot shot after exchanging passes with Ronaldo.
Ronaldo doubled Real Madrid's lead on the half hour with a powerful shot from outside of the penalty area. It was his sixth goal of the campaign.
Gareth Bale didn't appear for the start of the second half, perhaps as a precaution after his recent exploits with Wales, and was replaced by Lucas Vazquez.
Real Madrid remained in control after the break in what became rather a dull affair, punctuated by the occasional chance for Rafael Benitez's side.
Kroos saw a shot saved, before a Ronaldo free kick was cleared by Roger, carrying out defensive duties, before Ronaldo almost scored a backheel following good work by Jese Rodriguez, who was enjoying some rare first team action as a second half substitute.
Jese sealed the result with a left foot shot after a neat exchange of passes with Vazquez to end a period in which his agent had said he needs to play more in order to develop as a player.