Levante vs Atletico Madrid on 31 January
The Spanish Primera División clash between Levante and Atlético Madrid on January 31 promises to be a thrilling encounter with significant implications for both teams. Levante, battling to avoid relegation, will look to exploit Atlético's occasional vulnerabilities in a bid to secure precious points. Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid, firmly entrenched in the top four, is seeking to maintain their pursuit of the league title and prove their title credentials. The match at Levante’s Estadi Ciutat de València will be a test of tactical discipline and determination, with both teams heading into the match with contrasting motivations. At stake is not only the three points but the strategic momentum in the league. The weather forecast predicts a dry but chilly evening, perfect for fast-paced football, where every second could count.
Levante: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Levante enters this match in a perilous position, having won just one of their last five league encounters (W1, D1, L3). The current form shows a team struggling both in attack and defense, with their defensive record a particular concern. In their last match against Real Sociedad, they were defeated 2-0, a result that underlined their issues at the back. In terms of style, Levante tends to deploy a 4-4-2 formation, aiming to maintain a solid defensive block and look for quick transitions through their wingers. The midfield is often congested, and Levante's attacking play relies heavily on counter-attacking football. They average just 42% possession in their recent games, a clear reflection of their preference for playing deep and hitting on the break. Their pressing intensity is moderate, and they frequently commit fouls to disrupt the opponent's rhythm.
Key players for Levante will be José Luis Morales and Roger Martí, who will be expected to spearhead the attacking threat. Morales, in particular, has been their standout performer this season, contributing crucial goals and assists. However, the absence of key defender Rubén Vezo, suspended for this game, will significantly weaken their defensive setup. This could prove pivotal as Levante face Atlético’s potent attacking line. Another concern is goalkeeper Aitor Fernández, who has been inconsistent with shot-stopping and positioning, leaving gaps that Atlético’s attackers could exploit. The team’s overall xG (expected goals) stands at a concerning 0.94 per match, highlighting their lack of creativity and finishing in recent games.
Atlético Madrid: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Atlético Madrid comes into this fixture on the back of a strong run, having secured four wins in their last five matches (W4, L1). They remain firmly in contention for the league title, sitting in second place, just behind Real Madrid. Atlético's tactical setup under Diego Simeone remains one of the most disciplined and efficient in Europe. The team typically lines up in a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1 formation, with a clear emphasis on compactness, defensive solidity, and quick transitions. Atlético enjoys a higher share of possession, averaging 58% in recent games, which allows them to control the tempo of matches and build up play from the back. Their pressing game is aggressive, and they rely heavily on their central midfielders, including Koke, to dictate the pace.
Key players for Atlético include the dynamic Antoine Griezmann, who has been pivotal in their attacking play, contributing with both goals and assists. His ability to link up with central forward Álvaro Morata is crucial in breaking down deep-lying defenses like Levante’s. In midfield, the ever-reliable Koke and Rodrigo De Paul offer creativity and work rate, while the defensive solidity of José María Giménez and Stefan Savić will provide the necessary cover against Levante’s counter-attacks. Atlético's attacking play is built around crosses and direct ball progression, which can be highly effective against teams that sit deep. With an xG of 1.84 per match, Atlético’s offensive potency is among the best in the league. The only concern for Simeone’s side will be the absence of left-back Reinildo Mandava, who is sidelined through injury. His defensive capabilities will be missed, but Atlético has sufficient depth in defense to manage his absence.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The last five encounters between these two teams have been firmly dominated by Atlético Madrid, who have won four of the matches (W4, D1). In their most recent clash earlier this season, Atlético triumphed 3-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Griezmann and Morata getting on the scoresheet. Levante’s solitary point came from a 1-1 draw in 2021, a result they will surely draw confidence from, but that performance was largely against an Atlético team missing several key players. Historically, Atlético’s physicality and superior tactical setup have been too much for Levante to handle, with Atlético averaging 2.1 goals per game in their last 10 meetings. Levante, on the other hand, has struggled to break through Atlético’s defense, scoring just 3 goals in those 5 encounters. This trend suggests that Levante will have a monumental task ahead if they hope to challenge Atlético’s superiority in this fixture.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
There are a few key duels that will likely shape the outcome of this match. First, the battle between Levante’s left-winger José Luis Morales and Atlético’s right-back Nahuel Molina will be crucial. Morales will look to use his pace and dribbling ability to get behind Molina and create goal-scoring opportunities. However, Molina’s defensive discipline and ability to support the attack will test Morales' ability to track back when defending.
Second, the midfield battle between Levante’s Gonzalo Melero and Atlético’s Koke will be an intriguing contest. Koke’s ability to control the ball and dictate play could overwhelm Levante’s midfield, and he will look to exploit any space left open by Levante's narrow defensive shape. Melero’s work rate will be tested as he will be tasked with providing defensive cover while attempting to join the attack. If Levante cannot neutralize Koke’s influence, they could struggle to regain possession and provide support for their attackers.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Given the tactical differences between the teams, this match is likely to follow a predictable pattern. Atlético Madrid will dominate possession, looking to break down Levante's deep block with quick passing and wide attacks, utilizing the width of the pitch to stretch Levante’s defense. Levante, on the other hand, will look to sit back, absorb pressure, and hit Atlético on the counter with pace. However, without the ability to keep possession or control the midfield, Levante is likely to be overwhelmed by Atlético’s superior quality and organization.
Levante’s best chance lies in exploiting Atlético’s vulnerability to quick counter-attacks and set pieces, but with the absence of Vezo and Atlético’s defensive strength, this seems unlikely to provide a reliable source of goals. I predict a 2-0 win for Atlético Madrid, with them dominating possession (around 60%), completing high numbers of passes in the final third, and creating several goal-scoring opportunities. Levante, despite their best efforts, will struggle to contain Atlético’s attack and lack the quality to threaten their opponents seriously. Key metrics will likely include 12-15 shots for Atlético and less than 3 shots on target for Levante.
Final Thoughts
This match will likely answer one key question: Can Levante’s defense withstand the tactical pressure and creativity of Atlético Madrid’s attack? The result will depend on whether Levante can disrupt Atlético’s rhythm, but Atlético's superior form, tactical setup, and key players point toward another comfortable victory for the visitors.
