Siqueira and Arda link up impressively down the left-hand side with the former getting to the byline to stand a cross to the back post. Two Levante defenders almost get in each other's way in an attempt to clear with a header, but they eventually combine to smuggle the threat away. Looks like we are ending all-square!
90' +1
A. Ivanschitz enters the game and replaces José Luis Morales.
90'
Last change for Levante now as the impressive Morales comes off to be replaced by veteran midfielder Ivanschitz. The Austrian will certainly provide a little more solidity in those central midfielder areas in these last four minutes of injury time.
88'
Arda collects the ball on the edge of the area with his back to goal and sharply turns before looking to squeeze a pass through the eye-of-the-needle for Torres, but the sturdy Levante defence manage to plug the gap and stop the route to goal, before clearing up the park.
87'
David Barral gets yellow.
86'
Rafael Martins enters the game and replaces K. Uche.
Lucas Alcaraz makes two changes in quick succession as he looks to halt this Atletico train here. Jose Mari and Rafael Martins enter the action to replace Victor Camarasa and the second goalscorer, Uche.
85'
José Mari enters the game and replaces Camarasa.
84'
Torres is hungry for more goals here as he goes on a marauding run into the box, battling against challenge after challenge along the way. In the end, before he can pull the trigger, Juanfran just manages to stick out a leg to clear possession out of the box!
82'
What a massive 10 minutes this may prove to be in the race for automatic Champions League qualification and indeed the race to avoid the drop. Atletico Madrid are definitely in the ascendancy now and if anyone is going to claim all three points here, it looks like it will be Simeone's men!
80'
Fernando Torres has scored a goal for Atletico Madrid! Assist by Koke.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR ATLETICO MADRID! Los Colchoneros claw one back again! Koke swings a corner kick into the box and Torres gets in front of everyone at the front post to bullet a header into the top corner! Two-two! Will we have a winner?!
Minute
Description
79'
Just over 10 minutes remaining in this clash and as it stands Levante are safe and Atletico are defeated, which means they will be apprehensively looking over their shoulders in the league for fourth-placed Valencia. If the fixtures do indeed happen next week, they take on Barcelona.
77'
The Levante players are receiving plenty of cheers and warm applause from the Ciudad de Valencia faithful at the moment as this current scoreline will secure their Spanish Primera Division status. Not quite the time for celebrations yet though as Atletico move forward on the attack...
75'
Last throw of the dice from Simeone now as he makes his last substitution of the match. Atletico captain, Gabi, is coming off and he'll be replaced by Raul Garcia, who is always capable of popping up with a goal, particularly from set-pieces and crosses into the box.
74'
Raúl García enters the game and replaces Gabi.
73'
Miranda gets yellow.
The latest player to go into the book is Miranda and it is for a pretty fair aerial challenge on Barral just inside the Atletico half. The Levante striker has put in a decent shift today, but his play-acting at times has been pretty embarrassing. Frustration definitely creeping into the ranks of Los Colchoneros, though.
71'
Despite Simeone's successes with Atletico over the past few years, a victory at the Ciudad de Valencia has evaded him up until now, and at the moment the poor run will continue - unless his players can come up with a couple of goals in the 20 minutes remaining. Certainly a big ask.
69'
Saúl enters the game and replaces Tiago.
Second switch of the match from Simeone and it will see Tiago, who is on a booking, come off to be replaced by Saul Niguez, who has recently signed a new long-term contract with Atletico. The 20-year-old will be tasked with provided a little more attacking flair that his predecessor in midfield.
67'
Torres gets his first touch of the ball as he receives possession to feet near the halfway line and lays off for Koke to run in behind. Atletico get forward on the counterattack but Levante manage to get back in numbers, which squeezes the space in front of the box. The hosts working very hard at the moment.
65'
Now, Levante need to be careful now and not make the same mistake as they did in the first half by gifting Atletico a route back into the match so soon after taking the lead. Plenty of defending required between now and the final whistle for Alcaraz's men!
63'
K. Uche has scored a goal for Levante!
GOOOOAAALLLL!! GOOOAALLL!! GOOOAAALLL FOR LEVANTE! The hosts reclaim their lead! Ivan Lopez gets into an advanced position once again and clips a cross into the box which deflects right into the path of Uche! The Nigerian striker sees his strike saved but the rebound comes back off him before nestling into the net! Definite element of luck in that one but Levante won't care! Two-one!
61'
Fernando Torres enters the game and replaces M. Mandžukić.
First substitution from Diego Simeone and it sees Fernando Torres enter the action in place of Mandzukic, who has put a shift in without ever really being a massive threat to the Levante goal. The former Chelsea striker is given just under 30 minutes of normal time to add to his goalscoring his tally for the season.
59'
Mandzukic robs Juanfran of the ball down the right channel and bursts ahead into the box before smashing a strike at goal, but Ramis saves the blushes of his defensive team-mate by making a fantastic block! Great work from the Levante centre-half there!
57'
Arda glides forward through the middle and passes into the feet of Koke, who cleverly allows the ball to run through for the overlapping Juanfran. The right-back fires a cross to the front post but his Levante namesake, Juanfran, clears away with a commanding header.
55'
Atletico get the free kick around halfway through the Levante box and it is Gabi who stands over the set-piece. The Colchoneros captain teases a deep cross to the back post and Mandzukic rises high to head towards goal, but it is straight down the throat of Marino who collects comfortably.
54'
Tiago gets yellow.
53'
Tono gallops down the left-hand side and gets into plenty of space before whipping a wicked cross into the penalty area. Uche is completely unmarked but fails to punish Atletico as his header goes weakly into the arms of the grateful Oblak.
51'
Griezmann picks the pocket of his marker before opening up his stride in an Atletico counterattack! Mandzuckic eventually receives the ball and attempts to get the shot away, only to turn back and pass to Koke, who also attempts to pull the trigger. Levante defend solidly and it is eventually Vyntra who manages to clear up the park!
49'
Juanfran hits a speculative pass up the right wing and Griezmann attempts to get on the end of it, before being ushered off the ball by Ivan Ramis. The Frenchman just hasn't managed to find his feet in the game yet, but he is always capable of bursting into life and grabbing a goal.
47'
Ivan Lopez darts forward before cutting inside and eventually sliding a neat pass into the channel for Sissoko. The Levante midfielder has the opportunity to get a decent ball into the box but gives possession away with a poorly executed cross that goes straight to the feet of Tiago. Disappointing.
46'
We are back under way in this Spanish Primera Division clash!
44'
Shouldn't be too much added time allocated by the referee as the game has pretty much been free-flowing, but we have had two goals so still time for someone to snatch the lead before heading into the break.
42'
Levante get the free kick just beyond the halfway line and the home side see this as an opportunity to get some service into the box. Plenty of players are offensively sent up top and Juanfran delivers high to the back post, but Oblak does brilliantly to come off his line and take the pressure off his defence by claiming out of the air.
40'
It took a little while to get going but this game has burst into life in the last few minutes, with both sides eager to gain an advantage before heading in at half time. Levante will just be angry with themselves they couldn't maintain their lead for more than a couple of minutes. Atletico in the ascendancy after their swift equaliser.
39'
Toño gets yellow.
38'
We have our first booking of the match and it is a deserved one for Tono who tugs, pushes, and pulls away at Arda near the touchline down the right-hand side. That has been an interesting battle so far, but the Levante defender will need to tread carefully for the remainder of the game at left-back.
36'
Lucas Alcaraz will be absolutely fuming with his side after that! They worked so incredibly hard and took the lead with an excellent goal, only to surrender their advantage moments later after a ridiculous pass inside his own box from Victor Camarasa! Wouldn't want to be him in the dressing room at the break....
35'
Guilherme Siqueira has scored a goal for Atletico Madrid! Assist by Tiago.
GOOOOAAALLL!!!! GOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLL FOR ATLETICO! LOS COLCHONEROS STRIKE BACK IMMEDIATELY! Levante fail to clear the ball out of their box as Camarasa criminally gives possession away straight to the feet of Tiago, who clips back into the danger area. Siqueira is positioned near the penalty spot to lash home past Marino! One-one! GAME ON!
34'
Atletico will need to pick themselves up quickly here as Levante are set up pretty well to defend any lead they may pick up. Some uncharacteristically poor defending from Simeone's side there, and it cost them dearly!
32'
David Barral has scored a goal for Levante! Assist by Iván López.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR LEVANTE! THE HOSTS TAKE THE LEAD OUT OF NOWHERE! Morales clips a cross to the back post and Miranda struggles to clear with a poor header! Ivan Lopez collects near the byline and fires a cross along the six-yard box for Barral, who converts from close range! One-nil!
30'
Koke picks up the ball in a useful position 25 yards from goal and dinks a teasing cross to the back post which Griezmann looks poised to get to, but Ivan Lopez just manages to stretch up and nod behind for a corner kick. No Godin for the visitors today, but they'll still pose a threat from set-pieces with the players they have out there.
28'
Levante are just enjoying a nice little period of possession at the moment as Atletico are camped in their own half. Miranda and Gimenez have marshalled Uche and Barral pretty well so far, but every moment on the ball is generating more and more confidence for the home side.
26'
Just beyond the midway point of the opening half of this Spanish Primera Division clash and it has to be said that Levante have been decent so far in their attempts to lock out the champions. Atletico have threatened mostly with crosses into the box, but Marino has only been called into action once or twice.
24'
Juanfran displays an impressive turn of pace down the right-hand side and gets beyond the defender before standing a fantastic cross to the back post. Mandzukic rises high to get on the end of it but takes Vyntra out in the process, which results in the referee blowing for a foul. Was actually excellent and brave defending from the Levante man there.
22'
Uche powers ahead in a pacey Levante counterattack and eventually lifts the ball into the path of Morales, who penetrates into the box before steadying himself to get the strike away. Luckily for Atletico, Godin is on hand to make the all-important goal-saving challenge! Really good move from the hosts!
20'
Siqueira is involved in the action positively once again as he darts ahead down the left wing before putting the breaks on and lashing a cross into the box. Griezmann attempts to get on the end of it but Marino proactively comes off his line to pounce on the loose ball.
18'
Possession is fired into the feet of Mandzukic, who cleverly flicks the ball over his marker before going down rather softly after the challenge of Juanfran. The Croatian gives the referee an earful as he feels he's been hard done by, but there was nothing in the tackle really. A little more strength required from the former Bayern Munich striker.
16'
Morales goes on yet another marauding run through the middle after leaving Arda on the floor with a good piece of skill. The Levante midfielder continues ahead and looks to burst into the box, but eventually sees himself outnumbered, which allows Atletico to clear comfortably.
14'
Ivan Lopes bursts down the right wing and then slides a neat pass into the channel for Sissoko, who opens up his stride to move into the space. The former Liverpool man then cuts back but surrenders possession with a poor pass straight to the feet of Koke.
12'
Marino fires a long ball up top and Morales rises above Tiago to flick in to the feet of Barral. The 31-year-old shows some quick feet to evade a couple of challenges but is then scythed down by Arda, in a tackle the referee deems as not being a foul. Levante still manage to recycle possession though and keep the pressure on Atletico.
10'
DOUBLE SAVE FROM MARINO! Siqueira gets down the left wing and clips a cross into the area for Mandzukic, who fires a bullet header towards the bottom corner! The Levante keeper makes the solid stop but quickly getting up to deny the rebound from Arda Turan! Best chance of the match so far!
8'
As I mentioned before the match, Levante have indeed started with the five-man defence. However, they are by no means sitting back and soaking up the pressure, with Morales in particular attempting to get forward whenever he can with bursting runs from midfield.
6'
Some lovely play down the right-hand side from Atletico eventually sees Koke collect the ball near the byline before standing a teasing cross to the back post. Mandzukic takes possession in with an assured touch and looks to pull the trigger, but Sissoko is on hand to make the vital tackle!
4'
A scrappy opening to the match here as both sides just look to find their feet in terms of possession. Tiago has been prominent for Atletico in an attempt to control the game in those central areas, but Levante have acquitted themselves pretty well and look up for the challenge against the champions.
2'
Juanfran typically gets into an advanced position down the right-hand side and swings a deep cross to the back post, which is cleared. Siqueira is on hand to meet the loose ball but sends his subsequent left-footed volley wide of the post.
1'
We are under way at Ciudad de Valencia!
Good morning football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the early Spanish Primera Division kick-off between Levante and Atletico Madrid from the Ciudad de Valencia!
Defending the league title this season has evaded Diego Simeone's men for much of the campaign, so much of their attention has been focused on securing third place and automatic qualification for next year's Champions League group stage. With Valencia only managing an admittedly excellent point away to Real Madrid yesterday evening, Los Colchoneros have the opportunity to make a massive step towards avoiding the Champions League play-offs and finishing third.
With a victory away to Levante today, Atleti can move six points clear of Valencia in fourth. The only reason third cannot be rubber-stamped today is that Nuno Espirito Santo's outfit have a better head-to-head record against their European qualification rivals.
However, as we approach the end of the season it is not just Atletico who are battling for a particular objective in this clash. Levante are currently precariously positioned four points above the relegation zone, and although it will take a massive turnaround from the teams below for them to face the drop, they can secure their Spanish Primera Division status with a win against the champions this morning.
The corresponding fixture at the turn of the year saw Atletico run out comfortable 3-1 winners at the Vicente Calderon. A goal from Diego Godin and a brace from Antoine Griezmann cancelled out Nabil El Zhar's consolation as Simeone's outfit got 2015 off to a flyer in La Liga.
Levante have made four changes from their previous match, which was a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Real Sociedad. El Zhar and Jose Mari miss out, while Simao and Victor Casadesus are suspended. Coming into the starting XI is Victor Camarasa, Sissoko, Uche, and Barral.
Atletico could only manage a 0-0 stalemate at home to Athletic Bilbao last weekend, so Simeone has shook up his starting line-up with three changes. Godin, Raul Garcia, and Fernando Torres miss out, with Gimenez, Arda, and Mandzukic given a run out.
There are no real prizes for guessing what tactic Levante are going to adopt this morning, as Lucas Alcaraz has set up with five defenders and three midfielders sitting just in front. It seems the home side are wary of the threat posed by Atletico are aiming to sit deep and defend from the get-go. However, we'll see how they set-up when the match gets under way. For Atletico, it is a typical 4-4-2, with plenty of attacking flair on show in the final third.
Throughout La Liga this weekend, there is still the feeling, however, that all of these possible permutations may not come to fruition. Due to a row over the distribution of television money, there has been talk of a strike which would see the remaining league fixtures cancelled after this weekend. Lets hope that the relevant authorities can come to an agreement so we can give this spectacular Spanish Primer Division season the climax it deserves.
The players have took to the field and we are almost ready for kick off!
Half time at Ciudad de Valencia. It is has been a highly entertaining affair so far as Atletico Madrid battle for Champions League football and Levante battle to secure their La Liga status, as we head into the break at 1-1. David Barral gave the hosts the lead against the run of play after a mistake by Miranda, but Atletico responded swiftly and equalised just a couple of minutes later through Siqueira. All to play for in the second period!
Full time at Ciudad de Valencia. Levante take a massive step towards avoiding the drop as they hold the champions to a 2-2 draw at home. In the end a draw was probably a fair result but it is not particularly useful to either team, who would both have faired much better from claiming all three points. Barral and Uche twice put the home side up, but Atletico fought back in both halves thanks to strikes from Siqueira and Fernando Torres, who came off the bench. A highly entertaining affair! I'm Martin Macdonald, thanks for joining us, see you next time!
Commentary
More…