The visitors dominated possession most of the first half, but there was insufficient quality in the final third to capitalise on their positive approach play, and Atleti’s first opportunity of note came with 19 minutes on the clock, when Nicolas Gonzalez’s header from a corner went wide of the left post.
Though the execution wasn’t quite as he’d envisioned it, the fact that Levante had conceded a pre-round league high of 20 goals at home underlined the feeling that Diego Simeone’s men would have other opportunities before half-time. However, the Rojiblancos’ relentless pursuit of an opener was dealt a blow with the half-hour mark approaching, when striker Alexander Sorloth was carried off on a stretcher having suffered a head injury.
Although the hosts offered no threat going forward in the first half, they would have been happy to have negotiated their way to half-time at 0-0, having conceded first in a joint-high 13 league games this term.
Simeone’s side continued their struggle for real attacking momentum in the second half, with memories of a shock midweek defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League perhaps still in their collective mind.
And having battled hard to stay in the contest, the hosts nearly hit the front late on, when Adrian de la Fuente’s header from a free-kick was pushed away by Jan Oblak to prevent it from finding the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
In the end, there was very little to split the two sides, and a goalless draw arguably reflected how the contest unfolded.
Though it’s not much of an addition to their pre-round league low of six home points, Levante will still welcome the result, as it has moved them to within four points of safety for the time being. Meanwhile, a frustrated Atleti remain third having missed the opportunity to close the gap to Real Madrid and Barcelona above them.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid)