Alan Matturo sent off in 17th minute against Athletic | OneFootball

Levante were reduced to 10 in the 17th minute when Alan Matturro was sent off against Athletic. The decision became the game’s main flashpoint and Valverde’s side were two up by half-time.

According to Superdeporte, the Uruguayan centre-back was shown a straight red for prolonged holding on Iñaki Williams as the forward ran clear from a long ball by Paredes to face Ryan. Referee Alejandro Muñiz made the call decisively.

Both players were grappling before Williams went to ground without obvious force. Matturro could perhaps have avoided the situation with more secure defending.

In response after the break, Luís Castro withdrew Carlos Álvarez and moved Ugo Raghouberg into central defence alongside Dela. Álvarez’s creativity was sacrificed to shore up a back line weakened by the dismissal.

The ban also rules the Uruguayan out of the next league match, the Valencia derby at the Ciutat de València. Castro is left with Dela and Unai Elgezabal as his only fit centre-backs, with Matías Moreno still out as a precaution after his clash with Sorloth last Saturday. Levante are awaiting the apparent return of the Argentine defender in the coming days.

Source: Superdeporte