Levante were keen to ensure life was uncomfortable as possible at the Ciutat de Valencia, quickly pressing their opponents and standing firm against the early attacks of Atlético Madrid. They also made the most of their own first real attack, winning a corner in the 7th minute. From that, there was little that Courtois could do, as the ball sailed into the area, came off Luis Filipe and into the back of his own net.
The home side couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game, but Atlético Madrid soon regained their composure and looked for an immediate reaction. After several swift attacks, the visitors won a corner. From that, Keylor Navas showed why he’s earned such plaudits this season, with the Levante keeper stopping Raúl García first, then David Villa with the follow up in the 13th minute.
The pressure remained insistent from Atlético, but they couldn’t find a way through the stubbornly resistant defending of Levante. Whenever the visitors did manage to get a cross into the area, Keylor Navas was in control of his area and claiming anything that looked dangerous.
Just after the half-hour, Levante had only their first real chance since taking the lead. A free-kick from the edge of the area that was struck well in the 32nd minute by Diop, but Courtois there to show safe hands with the save.
More pressure came from Atlético, but still they couldn’t find a way through on goal, as Keylor Navas kept his cool to claim the crosses and neither Diego Costa or David Villa were finding any spaces to exploit through the middle. Diego Simeone seemed decidedly unhappy, as the two sides left the pitch at the end of the half, with nothing seemingly working for his La Liga leaders.
Looking for a reaction, Simeone made a double change at the interval, sending on Adrián and Arda Turan, for David Villa and Raúl García. The visitors then maintained their heavy pressure in the early stages of the second half, but still without being able to break the Levante defence, until they had a great opportunity in the 54th minute. With the ball inside the Levante area, neither Diego Costa nor Koke could apply the killer touch.
As Atlético laid siege to the area of their opponents, Caparrós opted for his first change in the 58th minute, sending on Ivanschitz for Sissoko. Simeone also made his final move from the bench in the 62nd minute, with Diego Ribas on for Koke and his side still struggling to find a breakthrough.
In the 65th minute though, a cross did present a great opportunity for Diego Costa, but uncharacteristically for the striker, he got his connection completely wrong inside the area, sending his effort wide. Two minutes later and Alderweireld cracked a powerful right-footed strike at the Levante goal, but there was Keylor Navas once more, with an excellent save.
Levante punished the inefficient attacking of Atlético in the 69th minute, with maximum efficiency of their own. As they’ve so often done this season, they made the most out of what few chances they create and after Casadesús fired a dangerous cross into the area from the left flank, Barrall showed great control in the middle of the area, before lashing it past Courtois for the second goal.
In the 71st minute, Levante made their second change, with Sergio Pinto on for Rubén García. All the thousands of travelling Atlético fans couldn’t believe their team was faltering and in the 76th minute, they stared on in disbelief as Adrián lifted a shot beyond Keylor Navas, but against the far post.
The final Levante change came in the 81st minute, as Caparrós sent on Ángel for Barral, who left the field to an ovation from the delighted home fans. With the clock ticking and, Atlético were firing a salvo of balls into the Levante area, but with little real danger, as they seemed to be running out of ideas. Tiago couldn’t hit the target when he had an opportunity in the 86th minute, then Miranda missed a headed chance. The final chance of the game came for Arda Turan and though his aim was true, he didn’t find the beating of Keylor Navas.
A typically solid and efficient performance from Levante, as they showed maximum efficiency in both defence and attack. A hugely frustrating day for Atlético Madrid, who just couldn’t make the breakthrough they needed to take the game in a different direction. They’ll now be looking over their shoulder, as Real Madrid can close the game, if they win against Valencia and then make the most of their midweek game in hand, against Real Valladolid.
This title race, still has more drama to come!
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