Atlético de Madrid visited Levante´s provisional stadium on this post covid league, La Nucía, where the Rojiblancos could pass Sevilla and reach the third position if they got the win against a rival that Cholo´s team has struggled with on the road traditionally. On the other side, Levante, with their permanency on the first division almost sealed for next season, wanted to keep their momentum going on, as they have been unbeaten on their three games so far at LaLiga return.
Atlético started locking down Levante on their box, creating danger constantly. Today Cholo put back the usual starters Koke, Saúl and Lodi, who all rested against Valladolid, and he left Joao Félix and Morata on the bench. The newness on the home team was that midfielder Campaña did not start the game. Both squads presented an identical 4-4-2 system.
The Rojiblancos did not need much time to score the first goal: Right back Arias sent a great pass to midfielder Marcos Llorente, who took an excellent touch to overcome Levante´s central defenders and sent the ball in through a pass that defender Bruno González deflected into the net. Outstanding play by Atlético´s all terrain, the strongest player from Cholo´s team right now, who is showing a lot of confidence and so is doing everything right: 0-1.
Levante did not manage to escape their half in the whole first half, as they were clearly missing their midfielder Campaña, the one in charge of all the playing building. Neither Atlético slowed down and probably deserved to score several more goals on a great first half by Cholo´s team.
Second half followed the same script, with Levante showing a considerable lack of ideas on the opponent´s half, as they were unable to find any space to create danger thanks to Atlético´s effective defensive approach. Cholo made a triple substitution in order to provide his team with some fresh air and put Joao, Giménez and Correa in. On the other side, Levante´s coach Paco López put Miramón and Morales on the right wing to add more depth on that side, and midfielder Campaña to increase passing options forward. With these changes, Levante looked to attack and so Atlético had more space for counterattacks.
Several scoring chances took place on the last phase of the game and so the final result was between the draw or Atlético´s second. Cholo´s team forgave Levante with two clear opportunities by Morata and Koke that they both wasted, but Levante also had the equalizer through an excellent cross by left back Toño that forward Mayoral headed very out very close to the post. The score did not change and so Atlético got three crucial points that make them pass Sevilla and put them in to the third spot.
