Atletico Madrid vs. Levante: Score, Report and Reaction from La Liga Game
Atletico Madrid opened up 2015 with a 3-1 win over Levante which, temporarily at least, moves them to within a point of Liga leaders Real Madrid.
With January signing and local hero Fernando Torres watching on from the stands, the focus was on the Atletico attack to perform.
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Antoine Griezmann is a player potentially under threat, and he gave the ideal riposte with a brace of goals.
Nabil El Zhar climbed off the bench and gave Levante hope with his goal, but Diego Godin headed home on 82 minutes to keep his side firmly in the title mix.
Diego Simeone’s side took some time to find their feet, but they served notice of their threat on the quarter-hour mark with a flowing move that resulted on Mario Mandzukic heading just wide.
It was a warning to Levante, but one they did not heed as, on 18 minutes, Atletico edged ahead.
Griezmann ended 2014 in scoring form, with a hat-trick at Athletic Bilbao, and the break has not halted his momentum as he was the man on target.
"La Liga returns, and Antoine Griezmann scores for Atletico - he is now the club's top league scorer (7) this season. pic.twitter.com/plTWmSQ3sA
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 3, 2015"
Again it was a cross from the left that took a deflection and looped up for Griezmann to get between two defenders and head beyond Diego Marino.
"#VÍDEO ¡Griezmann sigue en racha y ha anotado el primer gol de 2015! https://t.co/liRNS1mbci
— Fútbol Español (@Info_LigaBBVA) January 3, 2015"
Mandzukic—another player possibly under pressure from the arrival of Torres—thought he had sent out his own personal warning to the new signing with a goal on the half-hour mark following great play from Arda Turan, but Atletico were denied as he handled the ball when turning it home from a tight angle.
Griezmann grabbed his second of the game moments after the interval, to completely take the wind from Levante’s sails.
It was once again a cross into the box which caused problems for Levante. Mandzukic climbed high to power a header against a post, and Griezmann was on hand to nod home the rebound.
"The dynamism Griezmann brings to this Atleti side is phenomenal. Drops deep to link MF to attack, can run in-behind + challenge in the air.
— Craig (@craigvickers_) January 3, 2015"
Levante looked dead and buried on 46 minutes, but coach Lucas Alcaraz threw on El Zhar just past the hour and within a minute the substitute had cut the deficit.
Atletico failed to truly clear a corner, and when the ball was delivered back into the box, El Zhar was on hand to flick it home.
The incentive was there for Levante to go on and grab a point, and they did push forward in numbers to worry Atletico—but Simeone's side held firm.
After weathering the storm, Atletico went on and clinched the points. And yes, once again, it came via a cross into the box. The delivery from Tiago Mendes was good, and Godin rose high to glance the ball into the corner.
Levante are fighting a battle for survival and are not a true test of Atletico’s title credentials.
That test will come next weekend at Barcelona. A win at the Camp Nou will send confidence coursing through Simeone’s squad.
Before that game, however, is the matter of a Copa del Rey clash with city rivals and Liga leaders Real Madrid.
It’s shaping up to be an exciting start to 2015 in Spain.
Reaction
". @Simeone: "What I liked from @AntoGriezmann was his work and collaboration in the game and the recovery" #GoAtleti #AtletiLevante
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) January 3, 2015"
". @Simeone: "@DiegoGodin has a personality and an important influence within our team" #GoAtleti #AtletiLevante
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) January 3, 2015"
