Atletico Madrid travelled to Levante on Sunday looking to strengthen their grip on third position in La Liga.
Levante took the lead in the 32nd minute through David Barral, but Guilherme Siqueira levelled the scores just three minutes later.
The home side moved 2-1 ahead after 63 minutes when Kalu Uche converted from close range, but Atletico responded 10 minutes from time when Fernando Torres headed home from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Valencia as Levante welcome the champions Atletico Madrid. The home side are four points clear of the drop zone as it stands, while Atletico are the favourites to finish third ahead of Valencia. It has all the makings of another entertaining game!
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
LEVANTE: Marino; Juanfran, Tono, Ramis, Vyntra, Ivan; Morales, Sissoko, Camarasa; Uche, Barral
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Miranda, Gimenez, Siqueira; Tiago, Gabi, Koke; Turan, Mandzukic, Griezmann
So there we have it. Levante are still without the injured Papa Diop, while Simao Junior and Victor Casadesus both miss out against the Spanish champions through suspension. It appears that Lucas Alcarez has gone for a five-man defence, but David Barral and Kalu Uche both start in forward positions. Nabil El Zhar, Rafael Martins and Ruben Garcia, however, are all on the bench in Valencia.
Atletico, meanwhile, are without the suspended Diego Godin, meaning that Jose Gimenez starts at centre-back alongside Miranda. Mario Suarez is fit and available, but only makes the bench as Diego Simeone goes for Tiago, Gabi and Koke in midfield. Guilherme Siqueira is preferred to Jesus Gamez at left-back, while Raul Garcia is only on the bench as Simeone keeps faith with Mario Mandzukic.
Atletico were 3-1 winners when the pair met at the Vicente Calderon earlier this season, but Levante are actually unbeaten in their last four home league games with the capital side. That run of form includes a 2-0 win in the corresponding match last season and a 1-1 draw at the start of the 2012-13 season.
As it stands, this round of La Liga fixtures are the only confirmed matches in Spain's top flight before the end of the season. All Spanish football competitions will be suspended on May 16 amid a strike that relates to TV rights. The Spanish Football Federation are in a disagreement with the government, but there is hope that the situation will be rectified over the next week. Let's hope so anyway!
Levante, who are due to face both Deportivo La Coruna and Elche before the end of the season, were beaten 3-0 at Real Sociedad last time out, but back-to-back wins over Getafe and Cordoba before the Sociedad clash moved them clear of the bottom three. As it stands, they are 15th in La Liga on 35 points – four clear of 18th-place Granada. Victory here would secure their La Liga status for next season.
Levante's home form this season has been quite hit-and-miss – winning six of their 17 games and also losing seven times in the process. They have also been beaten 11 times on their travels during what has been a largely disappointing season. It does appear that they will secure survival this season, but they are not quite there, mathematically at least. The battle at the bottom is fascinating at this stage.
Atletico, meanwhile, currently sit third in the table on 76 points – three clear of fourth-place Valencia, who have played one game more. The Spanish champions are also seven clear of fifth-place Sevilla, who play Celta Vigo later this evening. They are not in the title race this season, but Diego Simeone's side are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run in La Liga – winning seven times in the process.
As expected, Atletico's home form this season has again been very strong – winning 14 of their 18 league games and suffering just one defeat. They have dropped points in eight of their 17 away games, however, which has been their Achilles heel in terms of challenging Barcelona and Real Madrid. Simeone's side will enter the game off the back of a 0-0 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
PREDICTION! This will be a very tough game for Atletico. Levante have been in decent form in recent weeks - especially at home - and one more win would secure their survival. I am not expecting a pretty game, but I do think that the visitors will just run out 2-1 winners in Valencia.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Atletico make it 13 games unbeaten in La Liga? It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway in Valencia.
It is a beautiful early afternoon in Valencia - perfect for a game of football. As expected, it has been a lively opening couple of minutes, with both teams battling for control in the middle of the pitch.
Both sides have had decent crossing positions in the early moments, but the quality from wide areas has been a little disappointing thus far. It is a very open game, with the play flowing from end-to-end.
Half-chance for Atletico as Mandzukic, who has not scored since February, meets a cross from Juanfran, but the striker's header is straight into the gloves of Marino. Mandzukic really, really needs a goal.
Barral has been a little untidy for Levante thus far, with the Spaniard picking up the ball in good areas only to relinquish possession far too easily. The opening six minutes have flown past in Valencia.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Koke delivers a super cross towards Mandzukic, but Marino just manages to palm clear at the vital moment and Mandzukic's follow-up attempt is blocked by Ramis.
CHANCES! Incredible chance for Atletico to take the lead as Siqueira races down the left before chipping a cross onto the head of Mandzukic, but Marino makes a wonderful save with his feet. Turan picks up the pieces, but Marino is up on his feet to make another smart stop. Excellent goalkeeping!
Atletico are firmly on the front foot at the moment as they continue to deliver crosses towards Mandzukic, who has been a threat in the opening 12 minutes. Not too much from Levante thus far.
Camarasa fires well wide of the Atletico post after picking up possession outside the box.
Most of Levante's threat is coming from wide positions, but the home side have been unable to make their mark in the final third. Atletico have been the better team in the opening 15 minutes here.
It has been a little untidy in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Atletico again threaten down the right as Turan delivers towards Mandzukic, but Ramis is on hand to clear for a corner. Still goalless, but the visitors are threatening a first here.
Not quite a full stadium this afternoon, but there is a decent atmosphere. Just a reminder that one more win would secure Levante's top-flight status for another season. Ivan Lopez breaks down the right for the home side before delivering towards Uche, but Oblak is on hand to make a positive claim.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Uche races away before feeding Morales inside the Atletico box, but Juanfran is across to make a stunning challenge at the final moment.
The match has just opened up in the last couple of minutes, with Levante really pressing high. The home side have another half-chance as Morales meets a cross from Diop, but Oblak makes the save.
Mandzukic remains an aerial threat for Atletico, but Ramis and Vyntra have both been excellent in the air thus far this afternoon. Still no goals in Valencia, but it has been a good 26 minutes of football.
It has been a game of crosses thus far, with both teams delivering from wide areas. However, the defences have been on top up until this point. As expected, it is a tight game at the moment.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of game. Levante have been nice and solid thus far, but that might change if they were to go 1-0 behind.
GOAL! Levante 1-0 Atletico (Barral)
Breakthrough Levante! The home side take the lead in the 32nd minute as Ivan Lopez finds space in a wide area before delivering a low cross towards Barral, who simply cannot miss from close range!
Well, that is the best thing that could have happened to the game for the neutral supporter. Atletico will now be forced to push forward. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Valencia.
CHANCE! Griezmann comes close to responding for Atletico after meeting a cross from Siqueira, but once again Ramis is on hand to make a super block. More excellent Levante defending!
GOAL! Levante 1-1 Atletico (Siqueira)
Atletico level with 35 minutes on the clock as Siqueira, who had stayed forward, expertly volleys a Tiago cross into the bottom corner. Levante just never dealt with the Atletico attack and the away side are now on terms just three minutes after falling 1-0 behind. We now have a proper game on our hands!
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Atletico are on the attack here.
BOOKING! Tono (Levante) is booked for pulling Turan to the ground.
Atletico continue to deliver dangerous crosses into the Levante box, but aside from that lapse for the Atletico equaliser, the home side have defended very well this afternoon. Still 1-1 in Valencia.
It has been a very good response from Atletico since falling behind, but the match has been very untidy in the last couple of moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a host of late challenges.
Oblak comes to collect a deep free kick from Juanfran, which had surpassed both Miranda and Gimenez. Atletico break down the other end with Koke, but the Spaniard's cross has far too much purchase.
HALF-TIME: Levante 1-1 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Levante opened the scoring in the 32nd minute through Barral, but Atletico responded just three minutes later through Siqueira. It has been an open and entertaining clash, with both teams having their moments.
STATS! Atletico have dominated the possession with 61%, while the visitors have had eight attempts - four of which have been on target. Levante, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their four attempts. There have been a number of tasty challenges, but just the one booking (Tono, Levante).
BENCH WATCH! Levante boss Alcaraz has a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Nabil El Zhar, Ivanschitz and Rafael Martins all capable of making a difference. Atletico, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Raul Garcia, Saul Niguez and Fernando Torres.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a third goal in Valencia? The away side get the second 45 minutes of action underway in Valencia.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of events. However, I suspect that alterations will be made if the score remains level for the next 15, 20 minutes here.
It has been a decent start to the second period from Levante, who continue to threaten in wide positions. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this game.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes and Atletico are struggling to stay onside as Levante continue to play a high line. It is so delicately poised at the moment here.
A poor pass from Ramis puts Levante in all sorts of trouble as Atletico threaten in the 30-second spell that follows, but Mandzukic and Griezmann both have attempts blocked inside the penalty box.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side to score a second as Tono delivers a cross onto the head of Uche, but the striker's effort lacks power and it is a comfortable save for Oblak!
BOOKING! Tiago (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Ivan Lopez.
This is a cracking game at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. A draw would not be the worst result for either team, but both are pushing for the game's third goal.
Mandzukic meets a deep free kick from Koke, but the Croatian was in an offside position when he headed towards the bottom corner. Atletico are on the front foot with the hour mark approaching.
Mandzukic again breaks through on goal for Atletico, but again the Croatian is offside. Nonetheless, it was another super save from Marino, who has had a very good game thus far in Valencia.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Torres replaces Mandzukic.
You just get the feeling that a third goal in this game would be the winner. It has been very tight up until this point and as it stands, a 1-1 draw is a fair reflection of the events that have occurred here.
GOAL! Levante 2-1 Atletico (Uche)
Levante move ahead in the 63rd minute as Uche converts from close range after good work from Ivan Lopez. It is very scrappy as the ball bounced off Oblak, but sometimes you make your own luck!
Atletico again have to come from behind in this game. What a final 25 minutes we could have.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Valencia and Atletico are very much on the front foot. Diego Simeone does not have fond memories of this stadium and that is continuing at the moment.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Tiago is replaced by Saul.
Just a reminder that Atletico are due to face Barcelona next weekend, that is if the strike in Spain is rectified! Valencia are fast closing on third position, which makes this game so important for Atleti.
Not too much happening in terms of opportunities at the moment, which has forced Simeone to leave his seat and call for reinforcements. Raul Garcia is getting stripped and will soon enter here.
BOOKING! Miranda (Atletico) is booked for a high challenge on Barral.
SUB! Atletico make their third change as Garcia replaces Gabi.
Half-chance for the home side to score a third as Morales delivers a super cross towards the far post and Gimenez can only clear behind for a corner. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining here.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes as the foul count rises here.
Ivan Lopez has been the best player on the pitch this afternoon. Two assists and a number of excellent pieces of defending - the latest of which comes from he somehow beats Garcia to a high ball.
GOAL! Levante 2-2 Atletico (Torres)
We are all square in Valencia as Torres heads a Koke corner into the back of the net. Super header from the Spaniard and we are level at 2-2 with little under 10 minutes of football remaining here.
Will we have a winner in Valencia? It has been a cracking afternoon of football here!
SAVE! Super goalkeeping from Marino as the Levante stopper denies Gimenez from a powerful effort. Levante seemed to have switched off at the moment as Atletico push numbers forward!
Atletico continue to deliver from wide areas as Juanfran searches for Garcia, but Ramis just does enough to clear the danger. The home side are preparing to make their first change of the game here.
SUB! Levante make the change as Jose Mari replaces Camarasa.
SUB! Quick-fire second change for Levante as Martins replaces Uche.
BOOKING! Barral (Levante) is booked for an elbow on Gimenez.
Not too much in terms of Levante pressure at the moment, with Atletico very much on the front foot. It is so delicately poised with little over one minute of normal time remaining. Will we have a winner?
Griezmann breaks into the Levante box following a super pass from Koke, but the Frenchman fires over the crossbar from a difficult angle when Torres was in support. It remains 2-2 into stoppage time.
SUB! Levante make their third change as Ivanschitz replaces Morales.
We are into the second of four additional minutes in Valencia.
Atletico continue to press forward as we approach the final moments of this game. It would be very harsh on Levante if they were to concede at this stage of the game. A draw is just about right.
Torres meets a high ball inside the Levante box, but his header is gathered by Marino.
FULL-TIME: Levante 2-2 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the points being shared in a 2-2 draw. Cracking game of football in Valencia. Atletico remain third on 77 points, while Levante have moved five points clear of the bottom three. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
