Atlético de Madrid achieved a hard-fought victory against I raised in La Nucía to secure third place, where he remains alone after Sevilla's draw at Villarreal. A Champions League victory for the rojiblancos, against an unfavorable opponent at home, signed with a goal on their own Bruno after a great action of Llorente. Only then could so much come. And not for lack of occasions, but of success in front of the door.
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Atlético completed a very good first half at Camilo Cano. Above all, due to the enormous exit to the field of play that he starred in, recalling that of a few years ago. Very high pressure (Levante approached the area of Oblak for the first time in the 19th minute), with robberies in the opposite field and quick attacks to put fear in the body to the granota from the initial whistle. And almost literal, because at 25 seconds, Llorente he had had the first, with a shot center to which he responded well Aitor.
The man from Madrid is sweet. And it is no longer a coincidence. Comfortable in the new position that has discovered him Simeone, He is the best man of the rojiblancos in recent weeks. His companions look for him. And he believes. He Cholo he shook the team again (also Paco lopez). Six changes from Saturday. And the footballers leapt onto the field voraciously. On the bench were Joao, Morata, Correa or Giménez.
At six minutes, Carrasco I try. Then Koke, whose shot was blocked for a corner kick. The mattress box was around the goal, and it was in the 15 'when he found it. Inside pass Arias to Llorente, that with a masterful control oriented to the purest style Berkgamp stood before Aitor. He gave the pass of death to Costa and the ball, touched by the striker as well as by Bruno, was introduced into the local goal.
Deserved award at the exit of Atlético, who starred in a sensational 20 minutes. Then, logically, and more to almost 30 degrees, the mattress makers lowered the piston a little and Levante advanced lines. A volley of Roger, who was forced, was his only dangerous action in the first act. Meanwhile, those of the Cholo, who pressed again, could increase the rent. Carrasco (Aitor showed off in his shot, as with another of Thomas) and Coast, with a header that came out grazing the stick, they were very close.
This was how the break came, with a bossy, solvent Atlético and far superior to Levante, with Arias and I gave it deep, coast bregador, Carrasco incisor, Saul, Koke and Thomas giving fluidity in the spinal cord and Llorente touched by the wand. Very good feeling. But there were 45 minutes left.
It was not the same exit of the rojiblancos in the restart. Neither that of Levante. So the forces were more even. The domain was already alternate. AND Simeone reacted with a triple change at the time of play. Correa, Joao Félix and Giménez they entered by Llorente, Carrasco and Mario Hermoso. And another three in Levante. Morales, Campaña and Miramón by Roger, Vukcevic and Cok
and they went to the bench.
Joao had it as soon as he left, after a great robbery of CoastBut the Portuguese was selfish and played it instead of giving it to the Spanish-Brazilian. In Pamplona, the ‘19’ was generous. Mal Luso, whose shot was rejected by Aitor, that you continue to support Levante, although in those, the Valencians had also given some scare, with Bardhi as the protagonist.
AND Joao He forgave again, when at the penalty spot, he threw her up with everything in favor after a robbery and assistance from belt. He drew back the body. Atlético was forgiving, who on the next play suffered to get the ball out of the area at the insistence of Granota. The crash was a roadblock. And that was not good for the rojiblancos, who had spaces, yes, but they did not sentence (Koke He was on point) and they were also starting to have a bad time on defense. Especially with a header from Foreman after a great action of Tone on the left, with a spout Arias and great center. The ball came out grazing the post. The locals squeezed.
Simeone did not see it clearly, he got Herrera by Coast to win the medium. Correa went on the attack and Saúl to the right. And soon after, Morata by Thomas. To win some over the Oblak long balls and defenses against Levante pressure. That, at least, involved breathing and the team leaving. The last minutes were long for the mattresses, with those of Paco López overturned.
But Atlético resisted, to take three deserved points from Alicante and put the turbo in their fight for the Champions. Failed to hit the door, but the feelings were good. Especially in the first act. This team continues to grow.
I raised: Aitor (3), Coke (2) (Miramón (2), m.60), Vezo (2), Bruno (2), Toño (3); Vukcevic (2) (Campaign (1), m.60), Radoja (2), Bardhi (2) (Hernani (1), m.83), Rochina (2), Roger (1) (Morales (1), m.60) and Sergio León (2) (Mayoral (2), m.70).
At. Madrid: Oblak (2), Arias (2), Savic (3), Mario Hermoso (2) (Giménez (2), m.60), Lodi (2); Koke (2), Llorente (3) (Correa (2), m.60), Thomas (2) (Morata (2), m.84), Saúl (2); Costa (2) (Héctor Herrera (2), m.80) and Carrasco (2) (Joao Félix (2), m.60).
Goal: 0-1, m.15: Bruno, in his own door.
Referee: Munuera Montero (2). He admonished Coke, Toño, Morales and Vukcevic for Levante, and Saúl and Morata for Atlético.
Incidents: Match corresponding to day 31 of LaLiga Santander played at the Camilo Cano stadium in La Nucía behind closed doors.