Report: Atlético still stuck in crisis after Levante draw | OneFootball

Atleti was unable to get past a goalless draw at the Ciutat de Valencia, and Levante once again becomes that team that chokes them, at the most delicate moment of the season for the rojiblancos.

The key moment of the season is here, where the chances of winning titles are decided, and Atleti is experiencing its worst moment of the season. It's a deep crisis, and we don’t know if we’ll be able to get out of it in time, now that rivals like Betis and Brugge are coming up, where the team's future in the Copa and Champions will be decided, respectively.

If we add to that the misfortune of injuries to Sorloth (a gash on his head while trying to clear a cross), Barrios and Llorente (who left early, perhaps due to muscle problems), the situation becomes more and more delicate.

Against Levante, things didn’t start badly for Cholo Simeone’s team, with a chance from Nico González after a cross from Molina on a corner. His header was saved by Ryan in the 2nd minute of the match. In fact, Nico would be involved in a few more attacking opportunities in the opening stages, which could well have changed the course of the game.

The start suggested control of the match and chances, but that gradually faded away. Even more so when, in the 20th minute, the script for the match began to change. First, with an error from Lenglet that led to a foul on the edge of the box, costing him a yellow card, and then having to substitute Sorloth after a clash of heads (while trying to prevent a header from Moreno, which the Norwegian wanted to avoid).

Julian had to come on for him, so he ultimately didn’t get the rest day he was initially supposed to have.

From there, Cholo’s men tried without success, with another chance from Nico with a shot into the side netting in the 41st minute.

Lack of ideas and a draw that tastes like defeat

The second half began with a more lively Levante, who had better chances to score the winning goal. On top of that, more changes came that further disrupted the planned strategy for Valencia.

First (at halftime), Lenglet was replaced by Hancko due to his yellow card, but it wasn’t long before Barrios and Llorente also had to be substituted, with issues that leave us uncertain as to whether they’ll make it to the Copa match against Betis.

Julián had his chances, but once again wasn’t sharp, with his best opportunity being a header in the 68th minute that Ryan tipped out for a corner, not counting the one he had in the final minute, which went straight at the Levante goalkeeper, making the save easy.

Levante’s best chance came in the 73rd minute, with a shot from Dela that Oblak deflected with a saving hand, preventing a goal that would have been decisive.

The 73rd minute was also important for the debut of Jano with the first team, replacing Nico González, undoubtedly the best news for the team in this match.

In short, the team was not sharp, but it also didn’t look like they could create chances or connections between those who are supposed to hold the team together. Julia, Baena, Almada, etc., need to step up. Now is the time.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.