The Dutch ace admitted afterwards: "It was a tough game. Levante played very well. But we are defending well this season and that has given us the opportunity to score two goals.

"There was a lot of pressure all over the field and in such a situation you have to defend well. But in the end we have managed to impose our quality."

Van Nistelrooy added: "Football is very important, for me it is life, and for that reason I always take care to be at my peak so I can play as well as possible."