Atletico Madrid held by Levante, strikes 6 factors in entrance of Real Madrid

Atlético Madrid was held to a 1-1 draw at Levante on Wednesday in a Spanish league match postponed from the second spherical, a consequence that also prolonged its lead over Real Madrid to 6 factors.
Seeking its first league title since 2014, Atlético nonetheless has a recreation in hand in comparison with its metropolis rival. Diego Simeone’s crew is unbeaten in 11 straight league matches however has drawn two of its final three.
The match had been postponed as Atlético and different groups got additional time to relaxation after taking part in European competitions later into final season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Atlético had gained 9 of its final 10 league matches, with the one setback a 2-2 house draw towards Celta Vigo two rounds in the past in a recreation during which it conceded a late equalizer.
“It was a difficult opponent that has been playing well recently,” Simeone mentioned. “It was a fair result between two teams that played a good match.”
Levante took the lead via Enis Bardhi after a breakaway within the seventeenth minute. Marcos Llorente equalized for the guests within the thirty seventh with a shot from outdoors the realm that deflected off a defender earlier than entering into.
Ángel Correa had an awesome likelihood to attain the winner early within the second half however missed the web from shut vary with solely the goalkeeper to beat off the rebound of a shot by Luis Suárez.
Atlético ahead Saúl Ñíguez had a purpose disallowed for offside close to the tip and Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak made an awesome save within the last minutes to maintain the match degree.
“We had some clear chances but also could have lost the match at the end,” Simeone mentioned, noting that his crew wants to enhance defensively after conceding eight objectives within the final six matches.
Levante and Atlético will meet once more on Saturday in Madrid within the twenty fourth spherical.
Atlético has a troublesome schedule forward, with matches towards Chelsea within the Champions League and Villarreal and Real Madrid within the Spanish league.
Simeone’s crew noticed the return of João Félix after a optimistic coronavirus check, although he began on the bench. Moussa Dembélé, Thomas Lemar and Héctor Herrera remained out due to the virus. Defender José María Giménez was again within the squad after an harm.
Levante, sitting in eleventh place, hasn’t gained in its final seven league matches towards Atlético, with 5 losses and two attracts. It is winless within the league since a victory at Real Madrid three rounds in the past, although it just lately made it to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey for the primary time in 86 years.
Midfielder Koke Resurrección made his 484th official look for Atlético to surpass Tomás Reñones and develop into the participant with the second most matches within the membership’s historical past, behind the 550 of Adelardo Rodríguez.