Atletico Madrid’s hopes of winning La Liga for the first time since 1996 took a blow as Levante beat them to give Real Madrid and Barcelona renewed hope.<\/p>\n
The Champions League finalists trailed after just seven minutes, when left-back Felipe Luis deflected in Levante midfielder Pape Diop’s corner.<\/p>\n
Atletico improved after the break but their defeat was sealed when David Barral coolly struck from eight yards.<\/p>\n
Atletico stay top, and wins in their final two games will secure the title.<\/p>\n
But their lethargic loss at mid-table Levante has the potential to throw the three-way title race open once again.<\/p>\n
Atletico know they cannot be caught by either Real Madrid or Barcelona if they beat Malaga next weekend and then win at Barca’s Nou Camp on the final day.<\/p>\n
Third-placed Real are six points behind Atletico having played two games fewer, and Atletico would be crowned champions if the teams finish level on points given their superior head-to-head record.<\/p>\n
Barcelona, who are second, are three points adrift of the leaders, with both sides having played 36 matches. The Catalan club could pip Atletico on their head-to-head record if they beat Diego Simeone’s men on 18 May.<\/p>\n
Atletico, who will meet city rivals Real in the Champions League final, lacked their usual spark and energy as Levante frustrated them from the first whistle.<\/p>\n
The Valencia-based side took an early lead when Filipe Luis diverted Diop’s set-piece out of Atletico keeper Thibaut Courtois’s reach and into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n
Simeone made a double substitution at half-time, introducing winger Ardan Turan and forward Adrian, as he attempted to inject some life into his side.<\/p>\n
His players responded with a much-improved display in the opening exchanges of the second half, piling pressure on the Levante goal.<\/p>\n
Turan was the main threat as Atletico upped the tempo, seeing two low shots blocked and sending an eight-yard header over.<\/p>\n
Top scorer Diego Costa had few clear-cut opportunities, but the Spain international was inches away from connecting with substitute Diego’s in-swinging free-kick at the far post.<\/p>\n
Atletico continued to press as they sensed a vital breakthrough, but were denied again when Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas acrobatically clawed away right-back Toby Alderweireld’s long-range effort.<\/p>\n
Levante were carrying little threat, but punished Atletico’s profligacy midway through the second half.<\/p>\n
Ex-Real Madrid youngster Barral neatly controlled Victor’s left-wing cross before firing past Courtois to revitalise his former club’s title hopes<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Atletico Madrid’s hopes of winning La Liga for the first time since 1996 took a blow as Levante beat them to give Real Madrid and Barcelona renewed hope. The Champions League finalists trailed after just seven minutes, when left-back Felipe Luis deflected in Levante midfielder Pape Diop’s corner. Atletico improved after the break but their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":16388,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[29,3],"yoast_head":"\n