Atlético de Madrid host newly-promoted Levante UD on Saturday in a 6:30 p.m. local kickoff. And recent history suggests the home side is going to be hard-pressed to get a win against the visitors from
Valencia.
Atlético (6-4-1, 22 points) come into this match riding a three-game winning streak across all competitions. Los Rojiblancos have notched five wins in their last six La Liga outings, and they are firmly back among the top four in LaLiga.
However, Atlético have managed just one win in their last five meetings with Levante (2-3-6, 9 points). Atleti last defeated Levante in the 2023 Copa del Rey and have not defeated Las Granotas in LaLiga since June 2020.
That said, a win could see Atleti climb as high as second place (wishful thinking) while closing the gap to league leaders Real Madrid.
Levante make the trip to the Metropolitano still reeling from a gut-wrenching home loss to Celta Vigo, in which Julián Calero’s men conceded a 91st-minute winner after being reduced to 10 men early on. It continued a difficult reintroduction to top-flight football for the Frogs, whose only two victories this season have come against Girona and Real Oviedo, both currently languishing in the relegation zone.
One of the bright spots for Levante this season has been newcomer Karl Etta Eyong, signed from Villarreal for €3 million. The 22-year-old Cameroonian has impressed with six goals and three assists so far this campaign. However, Levante will be without second-leading scorer Iván Romero and Pablo Martínez through injury, while Unai Vencedor will miss out due to suspension following his red card against Celta.
Team news
El Cholo will be without Nico Gonazlez, who continues to recover from a knock he sustained last weekend against Sevilla. In addition, Simeone will not have Robin Le Normand, who will miss the remainder of 2025 with a high-grade knee injury in a brutal blow for the Spanish defender. Simeone now faces the challenge of replacing his second most-used outfield player behind Marcos Llorente.
Who will El Cholo turn to in Le Normand’s absence? Hopefully not Clément Lenglet. In all seriousness, this is where Josema Giménez needs to step in and deliver. Atlético’s defense is at its best when Giménez is fit and leading the back line. In his last three LaLiga starts, the club has conceded zero goals. (Is that good?)
Another possible adjustment could see Dávid Hancko return to a central role, with Matteo Ruggeri starting on the left. However, the Italian’s showing against Union Saint-Gilloise might give Simeone some pause. And who knows, maybe Marc Pubill will get a look — a man can dream, right?
Possible 11 Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Lenglet, Hancko; Barrios, Gallagher, Giuliano, Almada; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Historical matchup
Atlético de Madrid hold an 18-6-8 all-time record against Levante in LaLiga. In their last 10 league meetings, Atleti have recorded a 5-3-2 record, but just 1-2-2 over the most recent five. The last encounter between the sides came in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 on Jan. 18, 2023, when Atleti earned a 2–0 away victory thanks to goals from Llorente and Álvaro Morata.
No Atleti player has scored more frequently against Levante than Antoine Griezmann, who has seven career strikes against the Valencian side.
Notable players who have represented both clubs
I really had to dig deep on this one: Txomin Nagore, Manu Sánchez, José Molina, Francisco Molinero and Marc Pubill, who debuted in LaLiga with Levante back in 2021.
