What’s the best medicine after an underwhelming Champions League performance? A trip to València to play Levante!
Atlético de Madrid will visit the Ciutat de València on Saturday in a 6:30 p.m. local kickoff.
This stadium has not been kind to Los Rojiblancos, who have won at Levante’s home ground just twice in their last ten visits during Diego Simeone’s tenure.
Atlético (13-5-3, 44 points) enter this match at what is arguably their lowest point of the season. The start of the calendar year has been a difficult one for Los Colchoneros. Atleti were eliminated from the Supercopa de España by Real Madrid earlier this month, and their chances at direct qualification to the Champions League’s round of 16 evaporated with a loss to Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday. Simeone is facing perhaps the highest level of scrutiny he has encountered during his time at the club.
Turning attention back to LaLiga, Atlético have won consecutive games over Mallorca and Alavés. Those wins came at home, which has been a familiar trend. Since the beginning of November, Atleti have recorded just two away wins in league play. But on a positive note, Atlético Madrid currently find themselves back in third place, ahead of Villarreal, who have a match in hand. The downside is that they remain seven and eight points behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively.
Levante (4-5-11 with 17 points) are currently in the relegation zone and battling to remain in the top flight, though recent performances have been encouraging. In January alone, the Granotes doubled their season win total with victories over Sevilla and Elche. Their most recent outing was a dramatic affair against Elche. What initially appeared to be a crushing blow when Adam Boayar scored an equalizer deep into stoppage time turned into jubilation, as the Azulgranas responded with a late winner to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory.
The good news for Levante heading into this match is the return of their second leading scorer, Iván Romero; the Spanish international missed the previous meeting with Atléti due to injury. But Luis Castro’s side have injury concerns elsewhere. Roger Brugué and Unai Elgezabal are confirmed to be out, while Diego Pampín and Víctor García are listed as doubtful. Both Brugué and Elgezabal started against Atleti in the last meeting, while García appeared off the bench.
Team news
Atleti will be without the goal scorer from the last matchup against Levante, as Antoine Griezmann is still recovering from a thigh injury. Giuliano Simeone has been left out of the squad too as he continues to recover from an illness picked up before the Bodø fixture. This leaves El Cholo with the shortest roster in LaLiga at 18 first-team players.
One name that will not appear on the team sheet is Leon Goretzka, who will remain at Bayern for the remainder of the season. The rumored transfer never made much sense, particularly given reports that his salary demands were close to €9 million. Regardless, Atleti are missing a player of his profile and would be wise to make a signing to help bolster the midfield alongside Pablo Barrios.
Atlético also have been tenuously linked with Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman, who had agreed personal terms with Fenerbahçe but will face a wait to see if the Turkish side can meet Atalanta’s demands.
If you are attending the match, expect temperatures in the low 60s with sunny skies and gusty winds.
Possible 11 Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Pubill, Hancko; Barrios, Johnny, Nico, Almada; Alvarez, Sørloth.
Predicted scoreline: 1-0 with a late goal from Sørloth
Historical matchup
Atlético de Madrid hold an 21-7-9 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 meeting between the two clubs saw Atleti escape with a 3-1 win at home, thanks to a Griezmann brace and an own goal from Adrián de la Fuente. Former Atleti man Manu Sánchez scored the lone goal for Levante.
Notable players who have represented both clubs
Txomin Nagore, Manu Sánchez, José Molina, Francisco Molinero and rising star Marc Pubill.
