On Wednesday 16th, 2022 Atlético Madrid played a home game versus the team with the worst record in all of the Spanish LaLiga League, Levante, and although Atletico Madrid had the perfect opportunity to gain some ground and possibly return to the top four of the Spanish LaLiga League table they managed to blow that chance.
The defending champions were unable to take advantage of their chances as they lost 1 – 0 on Wednesday to a Levanteclub that entered the contest with only 1 – league victory the entire 2021 – 2022 season.
The stunning loss keeps Atlético Madrid from recapturing the final Champions League qualification spot (4th – place). They presently sit in 5th – place, tied on points with the 4th – place Barcelona at the moment, who also has a game in hand too. The Spanish LaLiga League leader in Real Madrid is an astonishing 15 – points ahead of Atletico Madrid.
This game was postponed from the 21st – round last month in January of 2022. Atlético Madrid was unable to play then because it faced Real Sociedad in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey in a contest that was postponed because of Atlético Madrid’s participation in the Spanish Super Cup which was played in Saudi Arabia.
Atlético Madrid had previously won 3 of their past 5 – leagues matches following a rough stretch that saw them endure a 4 – game losing streak in the competition.
Levante’s only other Spanish LaLiga League victory during this season was a 2 to 0 win versus Mallorca last month in January. The Valencia football club remained 10 – points from safety even though Levante won on Wednesday.
The Levante midfielder, Gonzalo Melero, scored the game winning goal from inside the area after a breakaway during the 54th – minute at the historic Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Atlético Madrid thought it had an equalizer deep into the stoppage time of this match Wednesday, but Ángel Correa’s bicycle – kick goal was disallowed due to a foul that occurred away from the potential equalizing goal.
Diego Simeone’s club has not defeated Levante in 4 – consecutive games. Atletico Madrid had also lost to Levante at home in a Spanish League match last year.
Simeone began with Matheus Cunha and Correa on the attack, with João Félix and Luis Suárez coming off the bench for rested feet during the 2nd – half but unfortunately, they were not able to assist Atletico Madrid improve much offensively.
Levante has the Spanish LaLiga League’s worst defense as they have conceded 50 – goals over 24 – matches. Levante had conceded 18 – goals over their last 6 – league games, and 25 – goals over their last 8 – games throughout all competitions.
Media Statements
“We played badly and lost a great opportunity to put ourselves in a good position in the league,” the head coach of Atlético Madrid, Diego Simeone, stated. “Now we will have to work double as hard.”
“We are not giving our best and it’s impossible to win like this,” the goalkeeper for Atlético Madrid, Jan Oblak, explained. “We are going through a very difficult moment and we have to improve in every aspect. We are not playing at the level we should be playing. We need to change or we are not going to make it to the Champions League.”
“It’s been a very tough season and a win like this will give us a great boost going forward,” the midfielder for Levante, Gonzalo Melero, expressed.
Sources:
Azzoni, Tales. “Atlético Madrid stunned by last – place Levante at home”. The Associated Press. February 16, 2022.
“Spanish LaLiga Table 2021 – 22”. ESPN. February 16, 2022.